[NOTE: We now have TG numbers for the Derby contenders, excluding races from this past weekend]
Derby Status: Going
Graded Earnings: $210,000
Future Odds: 20/1
Owner: Robert V. LaPenta
Trainer: Nicholas P. Zito
Runs in the Blue Grass this Saturday. Mineshaft colt appeared to be developing quite nicely at two, steadily increasing figures to a 90 BSF and 3 TG in an N1X victory at CD on 11/3. After that though, he was rank in the G2 Kentucky Jockey Club, forced a quick pace and faded to last. Time off to mature appears to have been the reason for a two-month break in the winter, and he's come back in a big way. Still a little too headstrong, he snagged an N2X at GP, but then really put it all together in the G2 Fountain of Youth. Breaking from the intimidating rail, he relaxed off the pace nicely, made a sweeping early move on the second turn and held off a resurgent Elysium Fields late. The effort earned him a BSF of 98 and a TG of 3, and you know how sheets guys love horses that return to their two-year-old top early in their sophomore season. Wish he wasn't running on the tires this weekend, because it would be awesome to see if he keeps developing, but considering that he isn't strapped for earnings and considering that one of the post parade ponies could win and it wouldn't be remotely jarring, not sure we'll learn much from his race. Then again, if he runs like crap, up goes his price for the Derby. Main thing that would be good to see is more relaxing off the pace if the fractions are quick. Mineshaft doesn't have a significant amount of data to determine his distance influence, but Rubiano is a slightly below average distance damsire. Cool Coal Man's second dam, however, was a half to champion fillies Northernette and Storm Bird, for whatever that's worth. Looms a very intriguing sleeper.
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