Mark Valeski on Track for Mineshaft
Brereton Jones’s
Mark Valeski, winner of
Belmont’s Grade II Peter Pan Stakes
last spring after finishing second in Fair Grounds’ Grade II Louisiana Derby
and Grade II Risen Star Stakes, remains on track for the
Grade III Mineshaft Handicap as part of
Louisiana
Derby Preview Day Presented by Lamarque Ford Feb. 23.
“That’s the race we’re shooting for,” confirmed trainer
Larry Jones on Wednesday. “He should be showing up on the work tab again on Monday.”
The Mineshaft serves as Fair Grounds’ designed prep for the
Grade II New Orleans Handicap on
Louisiana
Derby Day March 30.
However, Brereton Jones’s
Mr. Bowling, winner of Fair Grounds’
Grade III Lecomte Stakes last winter, is not likely for the Mineshaft.
“We’ve still got to get him back on track,” said Jones.
ICON IKE LIKELY FOR $75,000 COLONEL POWER STAKES MARCH 16
Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher Gray’s
Icon Ike, most recently the winner of the $75,000 Champion Energy Stakes at Sam Houston Jan. 26, is now being considered for the
$75,000 Colonel Power Stakes March 16,
trainer Larry Jones said Wednesday.
“We’ll
have to find a rider for him (in the Colonel Power),” said Jones. “That
race is the same day my big gray mare (Fox Hill Farms’
Joyful Victory)
will be running in California.”
Fair Grounds two-time defending jockey champion Rosie Napravnik, regular rider for Joyful Victory and Icon Ike, will journey to Santa Anita for the mount on Joyful Victory in the Grade I Santa Marguerita.