"He's doing great," trainer Neil Howard said. "He's ready."

Howard, who has trained grade 1 winners such as 1990 Preakness (gr. I) winner Summer Squall, Runup the Colors, Secret Status and Tomisue's Delight, says Mineshaft is in a league of his own.

"I would never say anything to slight Summer Squall, but Mineshaft is a special horse," he said.

Two horses considered possible starters in the Gold Cup – Saarland and Dynever – will not run. Saarland breezed a half Monday morning in :50 2/5 for trainer Shug McGaughey, who is considering the Meadowlands Cup (gr. III) on Oct. 3. "We need to get a win with him," McGaughey said. "It's a tough field."

Christophe Clement, trainer of Dynever, also feels the Gold Cup will too tough a race. "It's not a big field, but it's a good group of horses," he said.