Edge to stalking types on both surfaces.

James Graham and Miguel Mena both booted home a pair. Two more wins for Briggy/Asmussen.

Heavy fav Cush just lasted over recent Tom Amoss claim Mr. Porter for state bred allowance sprinters (race 8). Speaking of Amoss, he found the winners’ circle in the 6th with late running surface switcher Cya Later Bert.

Points of Grace (Point Given) gamely held off Dictina Too and Talkin Indian in the optional claiming turf route feature (replay below). Overbet fav Lady Attack (4th) desperately needed the outing.

Thursday (3-5-09) Fair Grounds preview

Weather: Partly cloudy. High 72.

Race 3: Jawzy (6-1) flopped in an originally scheduled for turf route off a layoff last time. He hails from the recently hot Shawn David barn and can go better on the drop/surface switch. Dam has thrown two turf winners.

Race 7: Jimmy’s Boy (5-1) is back at his claimed level for Cody Autrey, and he was done in by above par fractions versus better last out. A more sensible pace at this level could lead to a much improved prominent throughout effort.

Race 10: Colby’s Holiday (6-1) earned improved pace figs 2nd time out, and he could hang around much longer with lasix today.

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Both surfaces played fair.

Justin Shepherd booted home a pair including Love To Tell in the Bayou Hcp. Hat trick for trainer Mike Burgess, and the aforementioned Shepherd rode two. Jamie Theriot/Cody Autrey teamed up for two wins on the card.

Love To Tell carved out pedestrian splits and cruised to an easy 2-1/4 length tally in the 41st running of the $125k Bayou Handicap for grassy fillies and mares.

Sunday (2-22-09) Fair Grounds preview

The Feb 22nd card features a pair of grass races and includes a Pick 6 carryover of $4,077.

Weather: Mostly sunny. High 58.

Race 5: Woodway (6-1) crossed the line 1st (Dq’d to 2nd) in lone turf sprint try last summer. He goes synthetic to turf and owns fine early/pressing speed from the rail for the 38% Graham/Thornbury team.

Race 7: Queen Of The Ridge (6-1) was re-claimed out of her last by 17% local trainer Merrill Scherer. She switches to recently hot jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. and figures all over an expected tepid early pace. She breaks inside of Durrymane (3-1) today and appears capable of turning the tables on that rival. A replay of their Jan 31st meeting is featured below.

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

No wire jobs on the main. Stalkers and closers fared best on the turf.

Hat trick for Brian Hernandez Jr. John Jacinto booted home a pair. Sam Breaux saddled two winners on the card.

Sharp stalk and pounce optional claiming turf win under Robby Albarado for returnee Costa Rising (race 5). The Louisiana-bred performer is likely headed back to the stakes ranks if able to remain healthy. Hope I get to see him at LaD this summer.

Turf marathon specialist Transduction Gold has been competitive from Kentucky to SoCal, and he returned in the pink at a shorter than best 8.5f for John Glenney in the optional claiming grass feature. Back classers Sterwins and Crested filled out the exotics, and both likely needed the outing.

Saturday (2-21-09) Fair Grounds preview

The Feb 21st card features the $125k Bayou Handicap for grassy fillies and mares.

Weather: Partly cloudy. High 68.

Race 3: Destiny Bound (8-1) receives a rider upgrade to John Jacinto, and Pat Mouton is 21% with this type of returnee. She rallied for the show in turf sprint bow, then experienced a wide trip at this flat mile distance 2nd time out.

Race 5: Man Named Sue (9-2) has run well without winning in last two tries at this level, and he was nabbed out of his last by 24% claiming artist Cody Autrey. Barn $$ rider Jamie Theriot hops aboard, and a trip to the winners’ circle is just around the bend.

Race 9 (Bayou Handicap): Larry Jones trainee Shytoe Lafeet (8-5) frequently runs her race and enters in decent form, but note that she is 0-4 at nine furlongs. Meribel (7-2) is a veteran graded performer with the ability to win this one. Love To Tell (8-1) was only a length behind Shytoe here last out (replay below), and she reunites with winning stakes pilot Shepherd. Nans Joy (9-2) is headed the right way for Robby Albarado/Bill Mott, and we’ll see if she can navigate added furlong.

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Four wire jobs on a wet main track…turf races transferred.

Hat trick for Robby Albarado. Jesse Campbell and James Graham both booted home a pair.

Stungbythestorm (Steve Asmussen) wore down game speedster King Dan in the salty optional claiming opener. Overbet fav Recapturetheglory (even 3rd) needed the outing and can go better next time.

Monday (2-16-09) Fair Grounds recap

Fast main and off the turf. A trio of wire jobs on a track that favored early/pressing types.

Robby Albarado booted home a pair.

Wheaton Home went last to first in the 8th, and he was the only late runner to get the job done on the day. He was claimed by Cody Autrey and is worth following.

Thursday (2-19-09) Fair Grounds preview

Weather: Mostly sunny. High 64.

Race 1: Kahuna Nine (4-1) pulled off an above par return wire job on Jan 29th (replay below), and the place/show finishers both came back to win. Albarado sticks, and he can repeat at a hint of a price if able to avoid a bounce.

Race 4: Our Big Sister (8-1) finished a clear 3rd when stretched out to a mile here last time, and the place finisher came back to tally. She looms the controlling speed under hustling apprentice Dustin Dugas.

Race 6: Appealing Prospect (5-1) lands a better post and can run down the speed 3rd race off the shelf.

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Edge to early/pressing types on the main (2 wire jobs). Turf course played fair.

Jesus Castanon booted home a pair. Gabriel Saez/Larry Jones teamed up for two wins on the day.

More of the Best pulled off a rare wire job in the flat mile grassy 5th.

Pinpoint (Theriot-Autrey) stepped up in class and gamely wore down fav Snuck By in the 6th.

Thursday (1-29-09) Fair Grounds preview

Thursday’s 10-race card features a trio of quality grass races. Local state bred stakes winners Wildrally and Desert Wheat square off in the 5th, and 2-time Texas bred stakes winner Pretty Squall meets Nans Joy (Bill Mott) and Tears I Cry (Cody Autrey) in the featured 9th race.

Weather: Partly cloudy. High 57.

Race 5: My racingonthenet free selection of the day.

Race 7: Elision (5-2) looked good in her maiden turf win at Woodbine in October, and the 3yo filly could be off to the stakes ranks with a win here.

Race 8: Petitioner (4-1) drops in class and shows up in the unlucky Eric Guillot barn. I was fond of this one at Louisiana Downs, and he figures to flash speed at the very least.

Race 9: Nans Joy (5-2) rallied for the show behind subsequent 1-2 Krantz Memorial finishers Stormy West and Shytoe Lafeet. The Mott trainee opted out of the aforementioned Krantz in favor of this.

Nans Joy – Furl Sail Handicap replay

Photo Credit: newscom.com

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Edge to early/pressing types on the main, and the turf course favored stalkers.

Hat trick for Jesus Castanon. Lonnie Meche booted home a pair. Theriot/Autrey teamed up for two wins, and Bret Calhoun saddled two winners on the card.

Saturday (1-24-09) Fair Grounds preview

Saturday’s 10-race card features the $60k Marie G. Krantz Memorial Handicap for grassy fillies and mares.

Weather: Few showers (30% chance). High 72.

Race 5: Broad Quality (6-1) cost me the Pick 6 in length defeat here last time. She reunites with PVal and could graduate at a hint of a price.

Broad Quality – Jan 1st Fair Grounds replay

Race 7: Seaview (6-1) earned best last race speed rating in 4th place finish on the main at a flat mile. He switches surfaces and cuts back in distance, and Brian Hernandez Jr. seemingly chose this one over Tom Amoss contender Cya Later Bert (4-1).

Race 8: My racingonthenet free selection of the day.

Race 9: My MySpace free selection of the day.

Photo Credit: newscom.com

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Fast track and off the turf on Thursday. Early/pressing speed was strong in the five sprints carded, and the five routes played fair.

John Jacinto booted home a pair, and Cody Autrey saddled two winners on the card.

Sharp prominent throughout score for Tensas Yucatan (PVal-Morris Nicks) in the originally scheduled for turf allowance feature. Carson City Babe set the pace and finished a clear 2nd.

Friday (1-98-09) Fair Grounds preview

Friday’s 10-race card includes a pair of turf races, and hopefully they will be back on the green after recent dry weather in New Orleans.

Weather: Partly cloudy. High 74.

Race 3: Alligator Bayou (3-1) has more upside than many of these with just two races under his belt. He exits a decent course/distance show finish (blinkers on), and Robby Albarado strings along. Ideseeyouinhouston (7-2) is now 0-26 and frequently take too much win action. Best used underneath if at all.

Alligator Bayou – Dec 19th Fair Grounds replay

Race 5: Long Bread (8-1) lands a better post today, and Frank Leggio is 25% 3rd off a layoff. John Jacinto is a profitable 20% with this barn, and he got to know this gelding in show finish last out. Nevada Erlton (5-2) is the one to beat, and Southern Soprano (4-1) can improve for 26% 1st off the claim trainer Keith Bourgeois.

Race 6: Queen of the Ridge (3-1) looms the controlling speed under PVal, and note that she has running style versatility should another entrant decide to get up and go.

Race 7: My MySpace free selection of the day.

Race 8: Longshot Legacy (6-1) is an improving sort climbing the class ladder seeking a four-bagger. The off the pace runner gets some pace to chase once again.

Longshot Legacy – Dec 26th Fair Grounds replay

Race 10: My racingonthenet free selection of the day.

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Edge to stalking types on the main track. Stalkers and closers fared best on the turf.

Kerwin Clark and John Jacinto both booted home a pair. Jamie Theriot/Cody Autrey teamed up for two more wins.

Stormy West (PVal-Mott) captured her 2nd stakes of the meet on Saturday. The Blushing K. D. on opening weekend was originally scheduled for turf, and today’s Furl Sail Handicap stayed on the weeds. Shytoe Lafeet was clearly 2nd best for Larry Jones.

Sunday (12-28-08) Fair Grounds preview

Sunday’s 10-race card includes a trio of grass races, and there is a Pick 6 (races 5-10) carryover of $5,191.60.

Weather: Scattered thunderstorms (50% chance). High 63.

Race 4: Invisible Lee (5-1) dons the hood and drops in class, and note that he ran his best three races in blinkers earlier this year. He lands a better post and sports a strong bullet for this. Stidham is 21% in the claiming ranks. Flying Zombo (5-2) rallied for the place in a local entry level turfer (blinkers on) last time. The well spotted colt has the 41% Graham/Amoss team in his corner.

Flying Zombo youtube replay

Race 6: Eightonine Belle (8-1) stalked and weakened while taking action in her turf sprint bow. James Hodges is 22% with 2nd timers, and the well bred miss (Mizzen Mast-Lord At War) deserves another chance on turf.

Eightonine Belle – Dec 4th replay

Race 9: I was fond of a few of these at Louisiana Downs, including Sarah’s Best Day (6-1), Sister Ticket (6-1), and Awesome Amazon (3-1).

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Fell a day or two behind on my daily blogs from Fair Grounds due to the busy holiday season, so let’s catch up.

Edge to stalkers and closers on both surfaces.

Hat trick for James Graham, and John Jacinto booted home a pair.

Pick 6 was finally hit to the tune of $181,201.80.

Friday (12-26-08) Fair Grounds recap

A trio of sprint wire jobs on the main track. Turf course favored stalkers and closers again.

Riding doubles for Brian Hernandez Jr., John Jacinto, and Miguel Mena.

Saturday (12-27-08) Fair Grounds preview

Saturday’s 10-race card features a wide open renewal of the $60k Furl Sail Handicap for grassy fillies and mares. There is a modest Pick 6 (races 5-10) carryover of $2,635.

Weather: Partly cloudy (windy). High 78.

Race 4: Tensas Palmyra (4-1) is an above par Keeneland sales grad out of 10% debut sire Afternoon Deelites, and dam has thrown a stakes winner. Albarado/Morris Nicks are 3-3 together recently, and this one shows some decent local works including a breezing three furlong bullet on Dec 21st.

Race 7: Natural Speed (4-1) has fired in both turf sprint tries, including triple digit speed rating show finish in the $100k Colonel Power at this course/distance on Feb 9th. Steve Klesaris is 27% with new additions to his barn, and Albarado hops aboard.

Race 8: Cash Mccool (4-1) was nabbed out of his last by 24% claiming artist Cody Autrey, and barn money rider Jamie Theriot hops aboard. His last two below par efforts over synthetic ground can be forgiven, and the fresh gelding appears primed for a rebound at a distance he enjoys.

Race 10: My racingonthenet free selection of the day.

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Edge to early/pressing types on a fair main track. A couple of rare wire jobs at a flat mile on the turf (yielding). The lone turf sprint carded was nabbed by a horse showing positional speed (Coy Cat, 5th to 1st).

Four-bagger for Jamie Theriot included a hat trick for his main client Cody Autrey. John Jacinto booted home three winners on the day.

Lite the Cigar could not quite get to loose frontrunner Classy Deelites (Jamie Theriot) in the grassy 7th. Oro Tributo rallied to finish a decent 4th in his turf bow. He got no pace help and was the only one making up any ground.

Extra Exclusive (Theriot/Autrey) turned the tables on Hello Ladies (Torres/Morris Nicks) in the starter allowance 8th.

Island Warrior (Theriot/Autrey) got the bob over my 5-1 top Outta Tune (Albarado/Amoss) in the optional claiming sprint feature.

Down the backstretch at Fair Grounds

Monday (12-22-08) Fair Grounds preview

Monday’s 11-race card includes a Pick 6 (races 6-11) carryover of $100,066.

Weather: Partly cloudy. High 46.

Race 6: Pick 6 starts here with aforementioned carryover of $100,066. Hot Rocket (8-1) was headed as my top at Louisiana Downs when last seen in June. Daughter of Lemon Drop Kid, out of a Storm Cat mare, should enjoy the sod, and Sam David Jr. is 28% 1st grass. Meandyoubabe (4-1) was headed at this course/distance from post 11 last time. Dignified Air (6-1) sports a local bullet for this and owns a fine turf pedigree (Grand Slam-Storm Cat).

Meandyoubabe – Dec 5th Fair Grounds

Race 7: Sleeve (6-1) was 5th behind subsequent allowance winner Uno Mas in a straight maiden sprint on Nov 15th. Edward Johnston is 26% with 2nd timers, and I like the rider upgrade to Torres. He should route with Ten Most Wanted on top and Private Terms on bottom of pedigree. Last Martini (10-1) faced the likes of Grade 1 CashCall Futurity winner Pioneerof the Nile at the Spa. $150k Keeneland sales grad attracts the recently hot Jamie Theriot, and Morris Nicks is 27% with new additions to his barn.

Race 8: My racingonthenet free selection of the day.

Race 9: In The Forecast (2-1) was unlucky to get tagged late here last time after dueling through above par fractions. His hot new rider Jamie Theriot is 20% with speed types.

In The Forecast – Dec 4th Fair Grounds

Race 10: My MySpace free selection of the day.

Race 11: Bienheureux (5-2) earned an above par speed rating in a clear place finish off a layoff here last time. Sharp, versatile filly won two straight before that.

Bienheureux – Nov 21st Fair Grounds

Photo Credit: Newscom

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever