Proving once again that ‘age is just a number’, the grand old gelding Minecraft Maniac took command with a furlong left to run and drew off to score an easy three-length victory in the Cyclones Handicap at Prairie Meadows on Saturday, 12 August.
The venerable eight-year-old son of Midshipman continues to improve with age, winning his fourth Stakes race and improving his record to 10 wins, 2 seconds and 7 third place finishes in 33 lifetime starts. Saturday’s race was also a bit of a family affair, as the three-year-old Warren L, a Mineshaft half-brother to Minecraft Maniac, was also in the race (he finished fifth).
Mineshaft Maniac was settled well off the pace early, as Lawless John and C R Insta Gator led the way through the clubhouse turn and into the backstretch. Minecraft Maniac launched his bid on the far turn, sweeping four-wide to challenge for the lead. Minecraft Maniac overhauled the new leader, Time Goes On, with a furlong to run, then pulled away through the lane to win easily.
Minecraft Maniac was bred in Iowa by Warren Bush and races has a homebred for Linda Bush. Out of the Officer mare Our Sweet Mary B, the chestnut gelding is a half brother to Stakes winners Hot Shot Kid (Majestic Warrior), Xavey Dave (Temple City) and Warren L. Dam Our Sweet Mary B is a half sister to G3 Stakes winner and G1-placed Wild Snitch, who in turn has produced Stakes winners and Graded Stakes-placed runners Hardened Wildcat (Hard Spun) and Vengeful Wildcat.
Midshipman's 17% career Black Type horses from starters continues to be among the best in the business - no stallion under $55k can top it. His 25 Black Type horses in 2022 were more than any other stallion under $100k and included such performers as G2 San Diego winner Royal Ship and G3 Pocahontas winner Fun and Feisty. Current Black Type winners include the promising juvenile Stakes winner Amidst Waves (2023 Colleen Stakes), Stakes winners Soft Talk and Squid, and Chilean G1 winner, Fortino.
