Great Minds Wins Texas Mile Duel
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Photo: Dustin Orona Photography
Great Minds and C. J. McMahon take the Texas Mile.
Great Minds and jockey C. J. McMahon won a stretch duel with Shotgun Kowboy to post a half-length victory in the $200,000 Texas Mile (gr. III) on the May 6 night card at Lone Star Park.
Great Minds, trained by Al Stall Jr. for Houston Texans nose tackle Vince Wilfork, settled just off the pace of Blue Tone and Shotgun Kowboy through fractions of :25.01, :48.57, and 1:12.55. As Blue Tone gave way on the far turn, Shotgun Kowboy took over before being engaged by Great Minds near the eighth-pole. Great Minds eventually prevailed to win the one-mile even in the final time of 1:37.68.
"I knew he had speed," said McMahon, who posted his first graded stakes victory. "I thought if I got a good break and could sit right off the pace he would finish really good so, I just sat in the pocket and when I turned him loose, he really exploded."
A 5-year-old gelded son of Stroll bred in Kentucky by Claiborne Farm, Great Minds has won five of 19 starts and increased his career earnings to $283,898.
The winner paid $15.60, $6.20, and $4.20. Shotgun Kowboy returned $4.60 and $3.40. Carve returned $3.40.
Great Minds was winless in his first eight starts before taking an eight-month break. Great Minds broke his maiden and won an allowance event in his first two starts upon his return to competition and first two efforts in Stall’s barn after beginning his career for Bill Mott.
The Texas Mile was the third consecutive victory for the gelding, who won the Borgata Stakes at Delta Downs Racetrack and Casino March 12.