Nates Mineshaft joins Mandella’s stable and might start in the BC Dirt Mile

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Nates Mineshaft joins Mandella’s stable and might start in the BC Dirt Mile
The 5-year-old horse, Nates Mineshaft has now come under the wing of trainer Richard Mandella, who will be training the runner for Windy Hill Farm. Richard Mandella will have his first assignment with Nates Mineshaft to land the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile on 3 November, 2012, at Santa Anita Park.
Bred in Kentucky by Cobra Farm Inc, Nates Mineshaft joined Mandella’s stable after finished third to winner, Ron the Greek in the Grade 1 Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs on 16 June, 2012 over 1 1/8 miles.
The runner hasn’t started since that third place finish at Churchill Downs, and he is still a candidate for the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile and not a definite according to his new trainer, but since coming to his new home in South California earlier this month, Nates Mineshaft turned in six furlongs in 1 minute and 12.40 seconds on 11 October, 2012, at Santa Anita Park.
“We just got him,” Mandella said. “He’s a thought for the BC Dirt Mile. I breezed him, and he breezed good. We’ve getting to know him a little bit.”
In six starts this season, Nates Mineshaft failed to land 2, and he has won the rest. Apart from the Stephen Foster Handicap disappointment, Nates Mineshaft finished sixth in the Grade 2 Alysheba at Churchill Downs to winner, Successful Dan on 4 May, 2012.
However, in between defeats at Churchill Downs, Nates Mineshaft won the Grade 3 Lone Star Handicap at Lone Star Park on 28 May. He covered the 1 1/16 mile distance in 1 minute and 42.91 seconds.
The 5-year-old son of Mineshaft, out of Silver Deputy mare Angels Tearlet, Nates Mineshaft started the season in winning style by landing an allowance optional claimer at Fair Grounds race course, and at the same venue won the Grade 3 Mineshaft Handicap at 1 1/16 miles.
He ended his unbeaten stint at Fair Grounds race course with victory in the Grade 2 New Orleans Handicap at about 1 1/8 miles, where he defeated the likes of Mission Impazible in second and Toby’s Corner in third with the winning time of 1 minute and 47.64 seconds.