International Star Faces Mineshaft Four

International Star, Ken and Sarah Ramsey's Fusaichi Pegasus   runner who last year swept the 3-year-old prep races on the Road to the Kentucky Derby, will reenter the graded ranks Feb. 20 in the $125,000 Mineshaft Handicap (gr. III) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.

The 4-year-old Mike Maker trainee came back from the injury that sidelined him after his Louisiana Derby (gr. II) win to run fourth in the Nov. 25 Zia Park Derby. He then won the Jan. 16 Louisiana Stakes by 1 1/2 closing lengths over fellow Mineshaft contender Eagle. Majestic Harbor, also entered for the Mineshaft, finished fifth in that 1 1/16-mile test after gettling clobbered at the three-sixteenths pole.

Run over 1 1/16 miles as well, this year's edition of the Mineshaft sees International Star break from post 3 with Miguel Mena in the irons. The New York-bred carries high weight of 121 pounds and is the 8-5 choice on the morning line. 

Trainer Jerry Hollendorfer ships stakes winner Point Piper in to this spot off a sixth in the Jan. 9 San Pasqual Stakes (gr. II) at Santa Anita Park, while Mike Stidham has Jessica's Star entered for the first time since the Magna Graduate   gelding was vanned off in the Cornhusker Handicap at Prairie Meadows last June.