The Keeneland fall meet came to an end on Halloween, and the Grade 2 Fayette went to Blame.
Blame was my Super Derby top, and he ran a big race to land the place behind lone speedster Regal Ransom that day. He was facing quality older horses in Lexington, including multiple graded winner Parading. The latter had the lead in the lane on Oct 31st, but Blame wore him down for his first graded tally. Hats off winning trainer Al Stall Jr. and jockey Jamie Theriot.
Churchill Downs kicks off their fall meet on Nov. 1st, and the …read more

Sunday (11-16-08) Fair Grounds recap
Fast main track played fair on Sunday. Stalkers fared best on the turf.
Francisco Torres pulled off a four-bagger to take the lead in the rider standings after the first week. Theriot/Autrey teamed up for another winner, making it four for the week. For the 2nd straight day, Graham/Amoss hooked up for a winner.
Other notable week one stats: Sam David Jr. is off to a 2-2 start. Apprentice rider Dustin Dugas found the winners’ circle in Sunday’s opener. Sturges Ducoing saddled a pair of winners for the week that was, and note that Torres rode both. …read more

Fair Grounds recap (11-15-08)

Fast main track and off the turf on Saturday. In a virtual replay of opening day, early/pressing types held the advantage early, and the track played fair as the day wore on.
Leading rider Pat Valenzuela booted home a pair for the 2nd straight day, and he teamed up to win a stakes race with Bill Mott again as well. Theriot/Autrey teamed up for two winners on opening day and another on Saturday. They also finished 2nd twice today. The aforementioned Bill Mott saddled a pair of winners on opening day and another on Saturday. Two more wins …read more

Louisiana Downs analysis – Friday, October 3, 2008
by Jarrod Horak (Harrah’s Louisiana Downs Track Handicapper/TV Host)
A five-horse spill in Thursday’s 5th, a turf sprint, was triggered when went Battle of Flowers (Colby Hernandez) clipped heels and fell, causing a chain reaction that included Hella Bella (Carlos Gonzalez), Mizzen to Me (Gerard Melancon), Aly Mon (Roberto Villafan), and Miss Kiran (Iram Diego). Villafan, Diego, Melancon, and Hernandez were off their remaining mounts. Gonzalez came back to with the 6th aboard One To Boot for Bret Calhoun, but he took off his final mount Suberi in the 7th.
Donnie Meche/Al Stall …read more

Here is a recap of the six graded races from the June 14th Stephen Foster Day card from Churchill Downs…
Race 6 (Grade 2 Fleur de Lis Handicap) In an expected outcome, Hystericalady won as Garrett Gomez pleased, rolling to an effortless 7-1/2 length tally against four overmatched foes. The longest shot Initforthekandy set the pace and held the place. 9f in 1:50.88.
Race 7 (Grade 3 Regret) Pure Clan was the class and deserving fav, and she won by a comfortable 2-3/4 lengths while getting the grassy nine furlongs in 1:49.86. Early/pressing types C J’s Leelee and Zee Zee …read more

The Saturday, June 14th Stephen Foster Day card from Churchill Downs includes six graded races, highlighted by the return of Curlin in the aformentioned Foster…
Race 6 (Grade 2 Fleur de Lis Handicap) Number 5 Hystericalady (4-5) looks tough at low odds. She just missed repeating in the Humana Distaff at Churchill last time, and the early/pressing sort is especially adept in conventional dirt routes.
Race 7 (Grade 3 Regret) Number 4 Pure Clan (7-5) went 4-4 as a juvenile, and two of those wins were on the grass. Knocked heads with the ill-fated Eight Belles and Proud Spell in three …read more

The 2008 Kentucky Derby has finally arrived, and the electrifying Big Brown figures to go off as the post time favorite. The Dutrow trainee has been sensational in three facile victories to kick off his career. He drew post 20 and will probably try similar aggressive early tactics which lead to his Florida Derby triumph. If the talented three-year-old cannot get the job done because of a lack of seasoning, then Colonel John looms the logical choice.
The West Coast synthetic specialist has always been on my radar screen, but I especially perked up following his visually impressive Santa Anita …read more

The 2008 Kentucky Oaks is a great betting race, and Pure Clan should offer a bit of value. The daughter of Pure Prize won all four of her starts last year, including a pair at Churchill Downs. She was beaten by Eight Belles in both of her starts this year, but she was hardly disgraced and got no pace help. She attracts Prado and could be sitting on a smasher in her third race off the shelf.
Bsharpsonata had her four race win streak snapped in a neck defeat in the Ashland (polytrack) last time, and the versatile six for …read more

Possible Kentucky Derby favorite Big Brown is obviously talented and has tons of upside, but what are his true chances on the first Saturday in May?
Undefeated colt has only raced three times, and many lightly raced sorts have failed on Derby day, including Curlin last year. Richard Dutrow Jr. is saddling his first Derby starter, and it takes much more than raw talent to win a race like the Derby.
The Florida Derby winner’s task is not impossible, but history is against the likely underlay.
Image: Newscom

Lightly raced Denis of Cork will participate in the 2008 Kentucky Derby following the defection of Lexington hero Behindatthebar, who wisely will wait for the Preakness Stakes on May 17th.
The David Carroll trainee exits a flat effort in the Illinois Derby, but his recent works have been strong. He would have been in a much stronger position if his connections opted to run him in the Rebel Stakes, but the owner decided to skip that prep because of the sheets numbers, and that major error hurts him dearly from a seasoning standpoint.