Our Minesweeper last to first as longest shot on board

ALBANY, Calif. – Our Minesweeper, a 3-year-old who won his first three starts, including a pair of stakes victories, last year rallied from last to pull off an upset victory in Saturday’s $55,100 Oakland Stakes at Golden Gate Fields.

Making his first start in five months while meeting older for the first time, Our Minesweeper was the longest shot in the field of six in the six-furlong race and paid $40.20.

He was last early as Summer Excess, the other 3-year-old in the race, and Restless Youth dueled for the lead through an opening 21.64-second quarter.

Restless Youth, the winner of two straight sprints, pulled clear of Summer Excess on the second turn. Inoel Beato began to ask Our Minesweeper at the quarter pole. He moved up along the inside and shifted outside of Restless Youth in the lane, pulling away to a one-length victory in 1:08.84.
Live Sundays was third another three lengths back.

Favored Silver Stetson Man was never a factor as he tried to repeat his victory in the Governor’s Cup at Fairplex. Strub Stakes winner Jeranimo, making his first start since the Santa Anita Handicap on March 6 was fifth.

An Art and Betty Suitter homebred by Cause Ur Mine trained by Michael Lenzini, Our Minesweeper earned $30,000 for his fourth career victory in 12 starts and third stakes win. He has earned $136,249.