Mineshaft Handicap 2017: Odds and Picks

The $125,000 Grade 3 Mineshaft Handicap helps highlight the strong undercard of the Grade 2 Risen Star Stakes tomorrow at Fair Grounds Race Course. The 1 1/16 miles race for four-year-olds and up includes some highly anticipated returning horses, but it could be an underdog to upset the field.

Brian Zipse of Zipse at the Track has December Seven first, Mo Tom second, and Eagle third, as his top three Mineshaft picks. Although December Seven is the longest shot of the three, he is coming off two straight wins, the last one by four lengths at Fair Grounds. Odds and post positions for the full Mineshaft field are below as seen on the HRN Stakes Tracker.

Installed as the morning line favorite, Eagle comes back from a seven-month layoff. The now five-year-old son of Candy Ride received a break after finishing fourth in the Grade 2 Suburban Handicap, his only finish out of the top three in 2016. From seven races last year, his 2016 record stands at 1-4-1. One year ago, he was second by a head in the Mineshaft and won the Grade 3 Ben Ali Stakes two starts later. He was also a half-length away from winning the Grade 1 Stephen Foster Handicap. Trainer Neil Howard is confident in his chances, and says Eagle has been training beautifully for his return.

Mo Tom’s Derby trail was full of trouble last year, but the colt’s talent was not at question. After an eye-catching LeComte Stakes victory, the Uncle Mo colt faced traffic problems in both the Risen Star and the Louisiana Derby. He then ran eighth in the Kentucky Derby before coming back to win the Ohio Derby. His final start of 2016 resulted in a disappointing fifth in the Super Derby. Mo Tom has plenty of Fair Grounds experienced and will be piloted by Florent Geroux for the first time.

December Seven, a four-year-old son of Street Sense, will be making his stakes debut in the Mineshaft. The colt first raced in August of his three-year-old season and has three wins from five starts. December Seven broke his maiden by six lengths at Churchill Downs, and two starts later took an allowance race by 3 ¼ lengths before making his winning Fair Grounds debut.

By Christine Oser