Headed by grade II winners Apart and Nates Mineshaft, a solid field of eight older horses will compete in the $300,000 Lone Star Park Handicap (gr. III), the May 28 Memorial Day feature at the Texas track.
Nates Mineshaft, a son of Mineshaft -Angel’s Tearlet, by Silver Deputy, began his 2012 campaign with three consecutive wins, one of which appropriately was the Mineshaft Handicap (gr. III) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.
Trained by Austin Smith for Windy Hill Farm, Nates Mineshaft then rolled to a 7 ¼-length romp in track record time in the New Orleans Handicap (gr. II), stopping the timer for 1 1/16 miles in 1:47.64. Most recently, the 5-year-old finished sixth in a troubled trip in the Alysheba Handicap (gr. II) at Churchill Downs. He carries top weight of 121 pounds in the Lone Star Handicap.
Also coming off a troubled trip in the Alysheba is Apart, a 5-year-old son of Flatter -Detach, by Unbridled. The 2010 Super Derby (gr. II) winner won the William Donald Schaefer Memorial Stakes (gr. III) in his lone victory in six starts last season. Following a third in the Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I), the Al Stall Jr.-trained horse ran ninth in the Whitney Handicap (gr. I) and was rested the remainder of the year. In his return to competition in the May 4 Alysheba, Apart ran fifth.
One of the most experienced horses in the field is Golden Yank, a 7-year-old son of Yankee Gentleman -Golden Charm, by Strike the Gold, who has won six of 27 starts and bankrolled $869,994 for trainer Gary Thomas and the Millard R. Sedlin Revocable Trust. Five of the gelding’s career wins have been in stakes company, including the 2008 Oklahoma Derby. He, too, is coming into the Lone Star Park Handicap out of the Alysheba, were he finished fourth in his second start of 2012.
$300,000 Lone Star Park Handicap (gr. III, Race 9, 5:19 p.m.), 3YO & Up, 1 1/16 Miles
PP, Horse, Jockey, Weight, Trainer
1. Apart (KY), G Murphy, 118, A Stall Jr
2. Get in Da House (LA), D Simington , 118, W Hawley
3. Night Party (KY), V Lebron, 115, P Huffman
4. Marilyn's Guy (KY), A Berry, 115, A Dutrow
5. Fog Alert (KY), K Tohill, 115, D Wolochuk
6. Nates Mineshaft (KY), 121, J Campbell, A Smith
7. Golden Yank (KY), 118, J Theriot, G Thomas
8. Imco Spirit (IRE), 116, A Medellin, H Dominguez
Nates Mineshaft began his 2012 campaign with three consecutive wins, including the New Orleans Handicap (shown).
