Cedartown heads down Mineshaft route

Progressive four-year-old Cedartown goes for a hat-trick of wins on his G3 debut in the Mineshaft Handicap over an extended mile on dirt at Fair Grounds, USA, on Saturday, 17 February.

The Michael Stidham-trained colt quickened well for an impressive non-Graded success over the course and distance in the Louisiana Stakes on 13 January, having previously scored in the non-Graded Zia Park Derby, also over an extended mile on dirt, at Zia Park in November. 

Cedartown has finished first or second on all seven of his starts and readily took an extended-mile maiden at Monmouth in August. 

Joe Bravo, on board for the Louisiana Stakes, has the ride again on Cedartown, who breaks from stall one and faces seven rivals including G2 winners The Player and Scuba.

Michael Stidham commented: “We have been very pleased with Cedartown. He has climbed up the ladder nicely, from allowance races into Stakes company, and we hope that he can take the next step up to Graded level.

“Cedartown was a horse that was always going to take a bit of time getting to the races. Once we got him to the track, it was a matter of him being able to step up his game as the competition got tougher. 

“Every time we have asked him to respond, Cedartown has stepped up and I think he can handle the competition again this weekend. 

“He has been training well and we are excited about the opportunity.”

Four-year-old Hallie Belle (Robby Albarado) also looks to continue a rich vein of form for the trainer on the same card in the non-Graded Albert M Stall Stakes over an extended mile on turf. 

The Medaglia d'Oro filly is chasing a four-timer and goes into the race on the back of two victories already at Fair Grounds, including a brave neck verdict in the mile non-Graded Pago Hop Stakes with Robby Albarado up on 30 December. 

Michael Stidham added: “This will be Hallie Belle’s first time against older opposition and a tougher race compared to her latest win in the Pago Hop Stakes.

“She is going to have to pick it up a notch or two to be competitive, but she has matured nicely and has handled Stakes competition in the past. 

“We are hopeful that she can do it against some more experienced rivals.”