Louisiana Downs week in review (September 4th-7th)

Louisiana Downs week in review (September 4-7)
by Jarrod Horak (Louisiana Downs Track Handicapper/TV Host)

Thursday (September 4th)
Muddy main track and off the turf. No less than 6 wire jobs in a card dominated by early/pressing types. Inside lanes appeared best, especially earlier in the card.

Love Chamonix (race 2 fav) threw a fit inside the gate and was a late scratch. Force Command Usmc (race 6) rallied smartly to land the place as my 2nd choice at almost 35-1. This one clearly likes the LAD oval and is an off the pace threat next time as well. Not a bad off the pace show finish for fav Where’s Joe (race 7). She is capable of graduating in the MSW ranks over a fair surface. Ain’t He A Pistol (race 9) ran a winning race in the optional claiming sprint feature, but his late rally fell a head short over a speed conducive oval.

Jacinto, Simington, and PVal each booted home a pair.

Friday (September 5th)

Fast main track and off the turf. Five more wire jobs in another card dominated by early/pressing types.

Spruce Jr. (race 7) rallied against the bias to land his usual share. Fast And Steady sat the right trip in route to a hard fought victory over my 5-1 top Fly For Fun, who might have won if the track had been playing fair. Smoothcideup (race rallied to finish a clear 2nd behind impressive wire job 2nd timer fav Milwaukee Miracle. The former should graduate soon. Jake The Cat was bothered at the start and was hung out 5-wide in an 11th place finish. He is much better than that. Above The Fold was hung out to dry from 12-hole.

A pair of wins for apprentice Dustin Dugas, and trainer John Locke saddled two winners as well. Charles Hukill has had a tough time finding the winners’ circle here, but he saddled a winner on back-to-back days.

Saturday (September 6th)
Fast track and off the turf, and it was all about early/pressing types on the main.
Winter Hot Flash broke slow in the opener. PVal rushed up the inside to grab the early advantage through a 22.38 opening quarter. She slowly inched away but was caught by stalking type Hate To Wait. She was a likely wire job winner with an alert beginning. PVal got his revenge in the 2nd with the consistent Roll On Roll On for leading trainer Jorge Lara. Dyna’s Greeley was a sharp debut winner in the 3rd for Cecil Borel, and fellow Asmussen firster Lauren P. was well clear of the rest in 2nd. For the 2nd straight time, 1-2 fav Bebopping Man refused to break. Save your money on this one until he cures his bad gate habits. Lee’s Spirit became the 3rd top 3 member of the LA Breeders’ Derby to win a stakes race in his next start. He grabbed today’s Red Erwin, while Derby winner Star Production came back to nab the Prelude, and place finisher Id Like A Double took down the Evangeline Mile.

Hat trick for resurgent leading rider Don Simington. Francisco Torres won race 4 but was involved in a spill when his 5th race mount Shecando clipped heels turning for home. He took off his remaining mounts and was off again on Sunday. Here’s hoping for a speedy recovery. Jorge Lara saddled a pair of winners.

Sunday (September 7th)

Fast track and off the turf. Early/pressing types dominated on the main.

Two Nickel Bud smartly nabbed the opener, making trainer Jerry Cart 3-9 first blinkers. Pace scenario changed with the gate scratch of Key Lee in the 3rd. Wire job winner Skirting Disaster ($27.60) was the major beneficiary, while off the pace show finisher Opportunity Lost was compromised. Heavy fav All Star Chris (race 9) was grinding away but could not reel in 0-22 professional maiden Leona’s Sweetboy.

Two more wins on Sunday for leading rider Don Simington, and his 8 wins this week lead all riders. Donnie Meche booted home 5 this week. 4 winners on the week for the surging PVal, who moved into 10th place in the standings. Recently hot leading trainer Jorge Lara pulled off the hat trick on Sunday, giving him 5 wins this week and 7 in the last 5 racing days.