Pioneer of Medina Wins Mineshaft Back at Fair Grounds
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Photo: Hodges Photography / Amanda Hodges Weir
Pioneer of Medina ekes out the victory in the Mineshaft Stakes over Mr. Wireless at Fair Grounds Race Course
A year ago, the Road to the Kentucky Derby at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots propelled Pioneer of Medina into the Run for the Roses.
Through a fourth in the Risen Star Stakes (G2) and a third in the Louisiana Derby (G2), the Todd Pletcher-trained colt secured enough qualifying points to earn a spot in the starting gate for the opening leg of the Triple Crown.
Unfortunately, the first Saturday in May turned out to be a dismal afternoon for Sumaya U S Stables' son of Pioneer of the Nile, who finished 19th in the field of 20 while racing without blinkers.
"We made a mistake when we took the blinkers off him," Pletcher said. "We thought if we were going to have an impact he would have to make a late run, but he never fired. It seemed once we put the blinkers back on, he regained his form."
Now as a 4-year-old with blinkers a main part of his equipment, a return to New Orleans once again invigorated Pioneer of Medina as he prevailed by a head Feb. 18 in a fierce stretch duel with Mr. Wireless to take the $250,000 Mineshaft Stakes (G3).
"He showed a lot of determination. He's very game, and we felt going back to the Fair Grounds made sense after some good showings there last year," Pletcher said about the newly minted graded stakes winner who also posted an allowance optional claiming win last year at Fair Grounds.
His initial stakes win confirmed the sharp form the son of the Eskendereya mare Lights of Medina showed when he was second to Skippylongstocking in the Dec. 31 Harlan's Holiday Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park.
"He's a horse who seems to have come around at 4 and has been training very well," Pletcher said. "We're happy to see him get the job done."
Knowing a good thing when he sees it, Pletcher said he will likely bring the Florida-based Pioneer of Medina back to Fair Grounds for the March 25 New Orleans Classic (G2), a 1 1/8-mile test worth $500,000.
Pioneer of Medina's affinity for Fair Grounds' main track did not go unnoticed by the wagering public as the colt bred by International Equities Holding was sent off as the 5-2 ($7.60) favorite in the field of nine 4-year-olds and up.
Hoist the Gold set the early pace in the 1 1/16-mile Mineshaft, with Run Classic chasing from second through splits of :23.79 and :47.59. Tom Durant's Run Classic forged to the front on the final turn, but there was action behind him as Pioneer of Medina with Luis Saez and Mr. Wireless with Deshawn Park took aim at him.
As the race came down to a three-horse battle in the final furlong, Run Classic gave way grudgingly late as Jon Lapczenski and JIL Stable's Mr. Wireless, who bobbled at the start, appeared to have the most momentum from the outside. But from between horses, Pioneer of Medina was resolute and did not let the 5-year-old Dialed In gelding pass him.
Final time was 1:43.59 for Pioneer of Medina, who did not meet a reserve price of $485,000 at the 2020 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
Run Classic, a Runhappy 5-year-old, finished a half-length behind Mr. Wireless as trainer Bret Calhoun settled for second- and third-place finishes from his two starters.