Mr. Mink shows new life

Mr. Mink, a former Indiana horse of the year, scored a definitive victory in the $13,850 Tic N Tin Handicap, last Saturday's feature at Fairmount. Making his first start in nearly three months, Mr. Mink set a torrid pace of 21.80 and 44.60 seconds, but had plenty left to hold Just Viareggio safe by a length. The final time for six furlongs over a sloppy track was 1:10.40, and the win earned Mr. Mink an 87 Beyer Speed Figure.

A consistent performer throughout the Midwest the past several years, Mr. Mink, now 7, had raced only three times this season prior to the Tic N Tin. After finishing second in his season debut at Fairmount in April, Mr. Mink struggled in his next two starts, finishing unplaced in an overnight handicap at Fairmount in May and in a turf allowance at Indiana Downs in June.

The Brickyard Stakes and the To Much Coffee Stakes, two Indiana-bred events Mr. Mink won at Hoosier Park last year, are likely goals for the 7-year-old Gold Case gelding this fall.

* Blink and you might miss Friday's featured $7,500 open allowance for older horses, a two-furlong event. Preference in the field of six, which includes two females, goes to Busheler. Though his recent wins have come in the conditioned claiming ranks, Busheler finished second in the two-furlong Inaugural Dash at Fairmount last March.