Hit Show edges Accelerize in Mineshaft Stakes
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Forever Young has lost one race in the last year, that being to Hit Show in the Dubai World Cup last April.
On Saturday, both horses prepared for their rematch next month in the $12 million Dubai World Cup at Meydan with victories. Forever Young won the $20 million Saudi Cup in Riyadh for a second straight year. Roughly five hours later, Hit Show won the Grade 3, $250,000 Mineshaft at Fair Grounds, persevering past a stubborn Accelerize for a head victory.
It was a gutsy performance by Hit Show, who hadn’t started since Nov. 29 at Churchill Downs and who defeated a horse who had two runs since then, including a victory in the Grade 3 Louisiana Stakes last month.
It was also Hit Show’s 12th win from 24 starts and pushed his career earnings to $9,052,183.
“He’s a fighter, when there’s a dogfight he always fights all the way to the end, which is good,” said Florent Geroux, who is 9 for 13 on Hit Show. “The longer the better for him. I know he just knows his job, he’s a pleasure to ride.”
The Mineshaft turned into a dogfight late.
Geroux had Hit Show three-wide into the first turn, outside of Accelerize and Time to Win. Straightening away down the backside, Geroux took Hit Show back and was fourth, three lengths off the pace.
Accelerize, under John Velazquez, set fractions of 23.53 seconds for the quarter, 47.04 for the half-mile and 1:11.10 with Time to Win stalking him.
Approaching the top of the lane, Geroux moved Hit Show three wide. In deep stretch, Hit Show was in the four-path while Accelerize went from the inside out toward Hit Show in an attempt to intimidate him. Hit Show never flinched and outfinished his younger rival to the wire.
Accelerize finished second by three-quarters of a length over Time to Win. Duke of Duval was fourth followed by Stowaway and Moonlight.
Hit Show, a 6-year-old son of Candy Ride owned by Wathnan Racing and trained by Brad Cox, covered the 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.49 and returned $4.20 as the favorite.
Hit Show will head back to Payson Park in Florida to prepare for his next spot - a showdown with Forever Young in the Dubai desert.
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