Fair Grounds Recap – Dec 13^th

After the final four races were called off on Saturday, the entire Sunday card was scrapped due to ongoing bad weather and unsafe track conditions. Click here to read the story.

Results and video for the Dec 12^th card have been posted on Horse Racing Nation, so please check it out if you are interested in viewing the seven Louisiana Champions Day stakes races that were run on Saturday.

Hustling jockey Jose Riquelme has four mounts at Fair Grounds on Monday.

Fair Grounds Preview – Dec 14th

A 9-race program will be run at the Fair Grounds on Monday, and the weather is still on the iffy side. There is a 60% chance of thundershowers with highs in the 70’s.

Today’s rider to watch is Jose Riquelme. I am familiar with his aggressive tactics from Louisiana Downs, and he is riding well with limited chances at Fair Grounds. He has four mounts on Monday, starting with College Bound Kate in the first race.

My trainer of the day is Victor Arceneaux. All of his runners have been live to date, and on Monday he sends out 5-2 fav Just Alex in the opening race.

My daily full cards from Fair Grounds are available through Today’s Racing Digest (free sign up), and I will be posting a daily free pick on their site as well. Click here to view my Monday free selection (5th race) from Fair Grounds.

My MySpace free selection of the day is the 1^st race from Fair Grounds.

My Horse Racing Nation free selection of the day is the 3rd race from Fair Grounds.

Daily results and video from Fair Grounds can be found here.

Image: Stacy Edwards

Fair Grounds Recap – Dec 12th
Sloppy main track, and card was halted after the 8th race due to poor weather conditions. The remaining four Louisiana Champions Day races will be run on Dec 19th.  Early-pressing types nabbed four of the five thoroughbred races.
As mentioned above, the remaining four Louisiana Champions Day races (Turf, Ladies Sprint, Classic, Sprint) will be run as part of the Dec 19th Santa Super Saturday card, which already has five stakes races on the docket. Should be a great day of racing…weather permitting!
Robby Albarado booted home a pair.
QH Classic: I was all over this quarter horse …read more

Fair Grounds Recap – Dec 11th
Before I preview the Champions Day card, let’s recap the action from Friday. Fast main track and off the turf. Five wire jobs on the ten race card.
Curt Bourque booted home a pair.
Distant Kentucky Oaks place finisher Stone Legacy finally broke through the entry level in today’s 5th race. The Wayne Lukas charge rallied from last to power home as much the best under Robby Albarado.
As mentioned here yesterday, hot trainer Steve Margolis had a pair entered on Friday. On The Level missed by a head in the 7th, and Northern Prince was also 2nd …read more

Fair Grounds Recap – Dec 10th
Fast main track and off the turf. Early-pressing types performed best.
Corey Lanerie booted home a pair.
Stratos (5th race) ran well to miss by a pair of noses for his new trainer Tom Amoss. Worth following.
Cajun Prize just missed to veteran win type King of Speed in the originally scheduled for the turf 6th. Note that he is 2 for 2 over the local weeds and can score on grass next time.

On the analysis front, I got home $19 top Hitnotiq, and I correctly tabbed the $336.80 2nd race trifecta.
Fair Grounds Preview – Dec 11th
A 10-race program …read more

Fair Grounds Recap – Dec 7th
Main track was sloppy by the 4th race. Off the turf. Four wire jobs including three over a route of ground.
Four bagger for James Graham.
Category Seven was necked out of the place in the optional claiming feature, which was taken off the turf. She is better on the sod and can rebound next time if she gets her preferred footing.

On the analysis front, I got home best bet top Kim’s Pretty Karen ($11.40) and Just Another Girl ($10.40). I also correctly tabbed the $28.40 3rd race exacta, and the $43.40 pick three ending with the 4th …read more

There is a pick six carryover of almost $115k  at Hollywood Park on Wednesday, and below is a preview of the sequence, which covers races three through eight.
A field of seven has been assembled for the opening leg of the pick six, and Carnival Queen is the 2-1 morning line favorite. Note that the aforementioned fav likes to run from off the pace, and horses with that style are only winning about 1 in 8 races at six furlongs.

The 4th race is a claiming route for fillies and mares, and this event seems to boil down to Recess and Stanford …read more

My first Kentucky Derby top ten post appeared here on Nov. 15th. A few prep races have been run since, so here is my updated list.  Please click on the name of each horse to view their Horse Racing Nation profile page, which includes news, pedigree, results, and video.
Two horses have dropped from the original list, including Homeboykris. The Rick Dutrow trainee was a disappointing 5th in the Remsen on Nov 28th. Thiskyhasnolimit, 6th in the Kentucky Jockey Club, is also gone from the top ten.
A couple of new shooters have been added to the honorable mention list, starting with Rule. …read more

Fair Grounds Recap – Dec 6th
Fast main track and turf listed as good . Stalking types best on both surfaces.
No riding or training doubles on Sunday. PVal, back from injury, found the winners’ circle in the 6th aboard Sturges Ducoing first time starter U Belong To Me.
On the analysis front, I got home value top Wild Strike ($14.20) in a day that saw six of my 2nd and 3rd choices score. I also correctly tabbed the 4th race superfecta, and the $186.40 pick three ending with the 7th race.
Fair Grounds Preview – Dec 7th
A 9-race program will be run at the …read more

Fair Grounds Recap – Dec 5th

Fast main track and good turf (Pago Hop). Edge to early/pressing types on the main track. Patient types did well in the lone race run on the sod.
Hat trick for Shaun Bridgmohan included a pair with trainer Steve Asmussen. Agilar and Lanerie both booted home a pair. Cody Autrey saddled two winners on the day.
Exciting renewal of the Pago Hop Stakes went to Akilina, who held on by a determined head over Dancin Perfect. Christophe Clement saddled the winner, and Shaun Bridgmohan capped off a big day in the irons.
When I perused the Saturday rider …read more

Fair Grounds Recap – Dec 4th
Fast main track and off the turf. Note that the rains arrived late, and the track was sloppy for the 10th race. Numerous wire jobs on Friday as early-pressing speed dominated. Title Clear (3rd race) was the only off the pace winner on the day, and he bested fellow closer and heavy fav Great Planet by a neck.
Richard Eramia booted home a pair, and Jose Riquelme/John Barger teamed up for two wins on the afternoon.
On the analysis front, I got home tops Sun Valley Storm ($5.80), best bet Girlysgotitgoinon ($4), and Angelonmyshoulder ($12.20).
Fair Grounds Preview – …read more