Race Details
- Venue Location: Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, 1751 Gentilly Blvd, New Orleans, Louisiana 70119.
- Post Time is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. CT (5:00 p.m. ET).
- Race Conditions: $250,000 purse, Grade III, 1 1/16 miles on dirt, for 4-year-olds and upward. Weights: 124 lbs, with allowances for non-winners of graded sweepstakes at a mile or over since November 14, 2025 (2 lbs), sweepstakes at a mile or over since August 14, 2025 (4 lbs), or $65,000 at a mile or over since then (6 lbs). Limited to 14 starters; preference to graded/group winners then highest lifetime earnings. Lasix allowed (noted as “L”). Trophy to the winning owner.
- Expected Weather Conditions: Partly cloudy with a high of 73°F and low of 59°F. Winds S at 4-7 mph, 20% chance of light rain (0.01-0.05 inches), humidity around 80-100%. Mild winter day with potential for brief showers.
- Track Conditions: Dirt expected to be Fast if dry, but could turn Good or Sloppy with any precipitation. Fair Grounds’ dirt favors early speed in routes (60% wire-to-wire winners in similar stakes), though contested paces benefit closers in wetter conditions.
The Grade III Mineshaft Stakes, presented by Hagyard, is a prominent dirt route on Louisiana Derby Preview Day, serving as a prep for graded spring races like the New Orleans Classic (G2) or similar events. Named after the Hall of Fame horse Mineshaft, this $250,000 contest for older dirt males features a compact field of seven, with a projected moderate pace led by front-runners like Accelerize and Hit Show, potentially setting up for stalkers such as Time to Win or closers like Cadet Corps. With graded winners like Hit Show headlining, expect a tactical battle highlighting emerging and veteran talent.
Field Analysis
Below is a detailed breakdown of each horse, including starting position (post), jockey, trainer, recent finishes (last three starts with positions, dates, and Beyer speed figures where available), pedigree notes, and performance analysis. Morning line odds from official entries.
| Post | Horse | Jockey | Trainer | ML Odds | Recent Finishes (Position/Date/Beyer Fig) | Analysis |
| 1 | Duke of Duval (KY) | Luis Saez | Steven M. Asmussen | 8/1 | 4th (Jan 17, 2026, FG Allowance/95), 1st (Dec 20, 2025, FG Optional Claiming/100), 2nd (Nov 28, 2025, CD Allowance/98) | Tactical veteran; Saez (20% wins) for Asmussen (high-volume barn). Pedigree (Arrogate – Chaotic Cat by Giant’s Causeway) suits dirt routes; consistent but needs pace help from rail. Owners: Mike G. Rutherford. Breeder: Bluewater Sales LLC. |
| 2 | Accelerize (KY) | John R. Velazquez | Todd A. Pletcher | 4/1 | 1st (Jan 17, 2026, FG Louisiana S.-G3/105), 2nd (Dec 6, 2025, FG Optional Claiming/102), 1st (Nov 15, 2025, CD Allowance/100) | Rising star off stakes win; Velazquez (Hall of Famer, 25% wins) for Pletcher (stakes specialist). Pedigree (Omaha Beach – Motion Emotion by Take Charge Indy) favors speed; recent Louisiana S. neck victory impresses. Owners: Spendthrift Farm LLC and Repole Stable. Breeder: Spendthrift Farm, LLC. |
| 3 | Cadet Corps (KY) | Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr. | Kelly J. Breen | 6/1 | 3rd (Jan 17, 2026, FG Allowance/98), 4th (Dec 20, 2025, FG Stakes/95), 1st (Nov 22, 2025, CD Optional Claiming/100) | Steady closer; Hernandez Jr. (local expert, 19% wins) for Breen (East Coast success). Pedigree (Will Take Charge – Boxford Belle by Street Sense) adds stamina; board hitter in stakes. Owners: Kenwood Racing LLC and Kelly J. Breen. Breeder: Charles Matses. |
| 4 | Moonlight (KY) | Jose L. Ortiz | Chris M. Block | 6/1 | 2nd (Jan 17, 2026, FG Optional Claiming/102), 1st (Dec 7, 2025, FG Allowance/98), 3rd (Nov 28, 2025, CD Stakes/95) | Versatile mid-pack type; Ortiz (elite, 20% wins) for Block (Midwest barn). Pedigree (Audible – Sundown by Tapit) hints at class; improving figs. Owners: Town and Country Racing, LLC. Breeder: Peter E. Blum Thoroughbreds, LLC. |
| 5 | Time to Win (KY) | Tyler Gaffalione | Chad C. Brown | 4/1 | 4th (Jan 17, 2026, FG Allowance/100), 1st (Dec 20, 2025, FG Optional Claiming/105), 2nd (Nov 15, 2025, CD Stakes/102) | Turf-to-dirt switcher with upside; Gaffalione (22% wins) for Brown (turf/dirt expert). Pedigree (Not This Time – Nagambie by Flatter) provides versatility; recent win sharp. Owners: Spendthrift Farm LLC et al. Breeder: Fred W. Hertrich III. |
| 6 | Hit Show (KY) | Florent Geroux | Brad H. Cox | 9/5 | 1st (Oct 25, 2025, KEE Fayette S.-G3/110), 1st (Sep 27, 2025, CD Lukas Classic-G2/108), 2nd (Nov 28, 2025, CD Clark S.-G2/105) | Morning-line favorite; Geroux (19% wins) for Cox (high win rate). Pedigree (Candy Ride (ARG) – Actress by Tapit) adds endurance; graded wins include repeat Lukas Classic. Owners: Wathnan Racing. Breeder: Gary & Mary West Stables Inc. |
| 7 | Stowaway (KY) | Jareth Loveberry | D. Whitworth Beckman | 8/1 | 3rd (Jan 17, 2026, FG Optional Claiming/98), 4th (Dec 20, 2025, FG Allowance/95), 1st (Nov 22, 2025, CD Claiming/100) | Longshot stalker; Loveberry (15% wins) for Beckman (emerging trainer). Pedigree (Gun Runner – Secret Jewel by Smart Strike) favors routes; exotic potential. Owners: P413 Racing. Breeder: Three Chimneys Farm, LLC. |
Series History
- All-Time: The Mineshaft Stakes, a Grade III since 2006 (previously a handicap), honors Hall of Famer Mineshaft. Run at Fair Grounds since inception, it’s contested at 1 1/16 miles on dirt.
- Recent Trends: Favorites have won 5 of the last 8 editions, with speed holding in 55% of dirt routes at this distance. Closers board in 65% of contested paces; notable records include Olympiad’s 1:42.01 in 2022. Repeat winners like Silver Dust (2019-2020) highlight durability.
