Sumaya U.S. Stable's Pioneer of Medina tallied his first graded stakes win Saturday after gamely battling between rivals in the late stages and prevailing by head in the $250,000 Mineshaft (G3) at Fair Grounds.
The 4-year-old Pioneerof the Nile colt, the favorite and making his season debut, was winning for the fourth time from 12 career starts and entered off a runner-up finish in the Harlan's Holiday (G2) Dec. 31 at Gulfstream Park.
For Saturday's effort, Pioneer of Medina returned $7.60 after covering the Mineshaft's 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.59 on a fast track with Luis Saez aboard.
Mr. Wireless finished second, a half length in front of third-place finisher Run Classic.
Pioneer of Medina, who is trained by Todd Pletcher, earned the $150,000 winner's share of the Mineshaft purse, increasing his lifetime bankroll to $446,370. He was third in last year's Louisiana Derby (G2) at the New Orleans track after finishing fourth in the Risen Star (G2) in his stakes debut.
Bred in Kentucky by International Equities Holding Inc., Pioneer of Medina was produced by the Eskendereya mare Lights of Medina.
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