Elmont, NY (Sports Network) - Mineshaft pulled away down the
stretch to post a 4 1/4-length victory in the Jockey Club Gold
Cup at Belmont Park.
The time for the 1 1/4 miles was 2:00.25.
Mineshaft has won four Grade I races this year, including three
in a row, and is now the favorite for Horse of the Year honors.
He had won the Suburban Handicap and Woodward Stakes in his previous
two races and could make his next start at the Breeders" Cup Classic.
The four-year-old colt has won seven of his nine races in 2003 and
co-owner Will Farish Jr. has said Mineshaft will be retired to stud
at the end of the year. The winner"s share of $600,000 increased
Mineshaft"s career earnings to $2.2 million.
Quest set the early pace with Moon Ballad trailing and Mineshaft
settling into third.
Heading into the far turn, jockey Robby Albarado made his move and
Mineshaft overtook the two leaders at the three-eighths pole. He
cruised to the wire from there.
Mineshaft went off as the overwhelming favorite and paid $2.80 and
$2.10. Quest finished second and returned $2.10 to place. There was
no show wagering in the five-horse field.
Evening Attire was third, followed by State Shinto and Moon Ballad.
