Louisiana Downs This Week
May 20, 2009 by Jarrod Horak
Filed under Handicapping, Horses, Jockeys
I will recap the first three days of the Louisiana Downs meet, and I’ll preview the May 22nd card.
Friday (May 15th)
A pair of wire jobs in the three flat mile turf races carded. Turf rails were down. Pressers fared best in main track sprints, and stalkers/closers performed well in the two route races.
Black Giraffe (race 5) failed to take advantage of rail draw under apprentice rider Anna Roberts. She ended up a better than appears wide 5th and is worth following.
Tensas Yucatan pulled off a sharp wire job in the 30th running of the Honeybee, and the easy winner garnered the best turf time (1:36.62) of the day. Tortuga Flats showed some interest in a decent show finish, and maybe she’s rounding back to form.
Nice ride by Gerard Melancon aboard Nowandforevermore in the grassy 6th. He saved ground from off the pace before swinging wide and rallying for the win.
Gary Duhon saddled the early double, and Ramsey Zimmerman booted home a pair on opening day. PVal/Morris Nicks teamed up for two wins, including the aforementioned Tensas Yucatan. Curt Bourque/Larry Robideaux Jr. paired-up as well.
Saturday (May 16th)
Early/pressing types dominated on the main. The two turf races seemed to play fair.
Francisco Torres booted home both stakes winners on the card (Silent Pipe, Lightlightlight). Charles Hukill saddled two winners on the day.
Sunday (May 17th)
Had some rain Saturday night, so we were off the turf on Sunday. Good main was upgraded to fast by race seven. Track played fair.
Shane Laviolette and Jason Eads both booted home a pair. Charles Hukill saddled another winner. He got off to a slow start here last year, but that is certainly not the case this time around.
Mayhaw (race 8) looked good in this allowance extended sprint. my best bet Sacred Psalm was virtually eased. Something abviously went awry. Love Chamonix blew the break.
May 22nd Preview
Still getting the feel of things at the new stand. Was a disappointing 4-29 with tops opening week, and my best bets went 0-3. Turf rails at 10 feet this week. Will take a week or so to get in a groove…
Race 2: Routes have been playing fair so far. Seems to be some pace in this event, and Go ATM (7-2) packs a nice stretch kick.
Race 8: Lyra Lee (7-2) sports the best overall pace figs, and both career wins occurred here. Come and get her from the rail.
Image: Newscom
