NEWS
Honest Man much the best in Mineshaft
Posted: Saturday, February 07, 2009 6:20 PM
HONEST MAN
Lou Hodges Jr. photo
by Ron Parker
Jockey Gabriel Saez remained undefeated aboard Honest Man at Fair Grounds as Fox Hill Farms’ five-year-old Unbridled’s Song horse won the $125,000 Mineshaft Handicap (G3) by 4 ¼ lengths as the 2-to-1 favorite on Saturday.
The Mineshaft was Honest Man’s fourth win in five starts at the New Orleans track, with all of the wins coming with Saez in the irons. His only loss Fair Grounds came in his most recent start, when he faded to finish third under jockey Terry Thompson in the Louisiana Handicap on January 10 in his first start in more than three months.
My Pal Charlie set the pace in the 1 1/16-mile Mineshaft with Grasshopper stalking from second. Saez settled Honest Man into fourth as My Pal Charlie led through an opening quarter in :25.52 and a half-mile in :49.19.
Turning for home, Honest Man ranged up on the outside to take charge and steadily drew away for the victory, crossing the finish line in 1:44.16 on a track rated as fast.
Good and Lucky rallied from off the pace to finish second. Brothers Nicholas was another 1 ½ lengths back in third, while My Pal Charlie tired and finished fourth.
The Mineshaft was the seventh win in 13 lifetime starts for Honest Man, winner of last year’s Philip H. Iselin Stakes (G3) at Monmouth Park. Trained by Larry Jones, Honest Man boosted his bankroll to $461,450.
Bred in Kentucky by Racehorse Management, Honest Man is out of the Grade 1-winning Known Fact mare Oath, a half sister to 2007 champion two-year-old male War Pass.
For an Equibase chart, click here.
Ron Parker is a Thoroughbred Times contributing writer
