Fair Grounds news for December 13th: Louisiana Champions Day review, Pick 6 carryover

Saturday (12-13-08) Fair Grounds recap

Main track played fair with an edge to horses within striking distance. Lone turf race carded was taken by an off the pace type.

Robby Albarado and John Jacinto both booted home a pair on Louisiana Champions Day.

Race 1 (Quarter Horse Juvenile): Martini Mountain ($7.40) was sharp in victory as the 2nd betting choice. Disappointing 6-5 fav Toast to Jess was never a factor.

Race 2 (Quarter Horse Derby): McM Dont Look Back was disappointing as the filly fav, but the distaff set was rescued by razor sharp winner Mon Ti Rose ($10.60).

Race 3 (Quarter Horse Classic): McM Dozen Dasher ($7.60) was too fleet for his rivals at this 440 yard distance.

Race 4 (Starter Handicap): The first thoroughbred race of the day went according to form. Betting fav Mr. Porter ($4.60) won for fun over pacesetter Zenato. Pat Valenzuela was in the irons for trainer Sturges Ducoing.

Race 5 (Ladies Sprint): Another formful result as Coach Mike ($5.00) sat the perfect trip behind the speed. John Jacinto piloted the Tony Richey runner. Sax Appeal was clearly 2nd best for Briggy/Asmussen. Tortuga Flats rounded out the trifecta.

Race 6 (Juvenile): The upset of the day as Break Up (Lanerie/Brinkman) lit up the tote to the tune of $138.40. Cocktail Clarence outfinished heavy fav Foreign Production for the place.

Race 7 (Ladies): Chalk players bounced back with Superior Storm getting the job under Jacinto done at $4.60. Sammie Sam (Torres/Ducoing) set the pace and was clearly 2nd best.

Race 8 (Lassie): Master Link ($12.40) gave up a big lead in the stretch last time, but she ran them off their feet under Robby Albarado today. Larry Jones 2nd timer Warrior Maid raced a bit green and rallied for the place. She is one to keep an eye on. Show finisher Lightlightlight (Steve Asmussen) probably needed the outing and should move forward next time.

Race 9 (Turf): Wildrally ($15.20) relished the soft conditions en route to an off the pace neck tally for Hernandez/Amoss. PVal/Mott just missed winning another stakes with Desert Wheat, who appeared home free in the stretch. Diggy Fresh rallied for the show and is better on firm footing. 3yo Lee’s Spirit made all the running but was outfinished late.

Race 10 (Classic): Autobeacat ($13.80) outsprinted returning fav Star Production after pedestrian early fractions turned the Classic into a match race. Southern Invasion chased the top two throughout. Heads up ride by Donnie Meche as Carlos Gonzalez wanted to lull everyone to sleep. Kudos to winning trainer Eric Heitzmann for picking the right spot for his versatile runner.

Race 11 (Sprint): Star Guitar ($5.40) made it 4-4 at Fair Grounds with a determined run to wear down 45-1 stalker Mr. Barracuda. Robby Albarado was aboard the winner for Al Stall Jr.

Sunday (12-14-08) Fair Grounds preview

Sunday’s 10-race card features a trio of grass races and includes a Pick 6 (races 5-10) carryover of $15,378.

Weather: Mostly cloudy. High 70.

Race 5: Pick 6 starts here with aforementioned carryover of $15,378. Wide open maiden event. Cape Seattle (5-1) is a $290k Keeneland sales purchase sporting a couple of local bullets. He could be a runner for Steve Asmussen. Red Dagger (8-1) debuts for the always dangerous Larry Jones.

Race 6: Templar’s Cup (9-5) is the one to beat for Hernandez/Amoss. Barn 33% 2nd off the claim, and this one exits fine local place finish in an off the turf event (YouTube replay below).

Race 7: My Myspace free selection of the day.

Race 8: Edgerrin is the one to beat on the surface switch for PVal/Mouton. Hail to the Cat (6-1) was claimed out of his last by the high % Cody Autrey, and Papa (7-2) is a dropping Churchill shipper for Albarado/Stewart.

Race 9: My racingonthenet free selection of the day. Tom Amoss contender Cya Later Bert (hampered by spill) is featured in the YouTube replay below.

Race 10: Vintage Dave (5-2) faced a pair of subsequent stakes winners in a couple of October Oak Tree starts. Doug O’Neill runner drops and tries conventional dirt. Dreams D’oro (3-1) is logical for Briggy/Asmussen.

Photo Credit: newscom.com