Classic winner Drosselmeyer to return in Mineshaft

DROSSELMEYER (Distorted Humor), hero of last spring's Belmont S. (G1)

but unraced since that June 5 victory, is now on schedule to make his

return in New Orleans next week to compete in the Mineshaft H. (G3) on

February 19, according to Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott.

The Mineshaft 'Cap is Fair Grounds' final designed major prep for the

New Orleans H. (G2) as part of the Crescent City oval's six-stakes

program on Louisiana Derby Day March 26.

Should Drosselmeyer capture the Mineshaft, he would become the first

Belmont winner to come to New Orleans and win a stakes race here the

following winter.

Drosselmeyer is no stranger to Fair Grounds, as he finished third in last

year's Louisiana Derby (G2) following a close fourth-placing in the Risen Star

S. (G2). Also runner-up in last season's Dwyer S. (G2), the four-year-old will be

using the Mineshaft as a tune-up for the $10 million Dubai World Cup (UAE-G1),

run on this year's Louisiana Derby Day half a world away in the United Arab

Emirates.

"I know that the plane bringing Drosselmeyer here is due to leave on

(February 16)," said assistant trainer Mike Kaetzel, who is in charge of Mott's

Fair Grounds-based division. "He just wants to get the horse ready for Dubai. As

far as I know, (Drosselmeyer) will be Bill's only horse coming in for any of the

stakes races that Saturday."