The much anticipated 85-day Fair Grounds meet kicks off on November 6th. Those who follow this blog know that I am the Louisiana Downs Track Handicapper, and just like last year I look forward to sharing my thoughts about the New Orleans oval as well.
One of the changes to the new meet is the Louisiana Derby. Formerly run at a mile and a sixteenth seven weeks prior to the Kentucky Derby, it will now be contested at nine furlongs five weeks before the first Saturday in May.
Exotic bettors should be happy to hear that a $1 Super High 5 will be offered on …read more

Four-time Kentucky Derby winning trainer D. Wayne Lukas is once again on the Triple Crown trail with $700k Keeneland sales grad Flying Private. The bay Fusaichi Pegasus colt, out of an Unbridled mare, was clearly 2nd best in Saturday’s Lane’s End at Turfway Park, and he garnered a much needed $94,000 for his efforts.

He will need more graded earnings for a spot in the Derby starting gate, and Lukas is reportedly looking at the Arkansas Derby , Blue Grass, or Lexington Stakes as his next engagement.
The improving sort has plenty of seasoning with nine races under his belt, …read more

The Grade 2 Lane’s End Stakes is Turfway Park’s major Derby prep, and the $50k nine furlong synthetic route has attracted big name trainers such as Bill Mott, Todd Pletcher, and Wayne Lukas.

West Side Bernie (Bernstein) won the Ky Cup Juvenile here. He was last seen finishing an even 3rd from disadvantageous outer post in graded flat mile affair at the Gulf. He handles any footing and packs a decent late kick, and he should give a good account of himself under new rider Edgar Prado.
Jack Spratt (Candy Ride) failed to handle regular dirt in Fountain of Youth …read more

Saturday’s $300k Rebel Stakes is the final local prep for the Arkansas Derby. The 8.5 furlong graded event has drawn a field of 9, and Old Fashioned is the 7-5 morning line choice.

The aforementioned Larry Jones (shown w/Wayne Lukas) trained fav is undefeated in four lifetime starts, and the $800k son of Unbridled’s Song owns fine early/pressing speed. I am not sure how much farther Old Fashioned wants to run, but he is effective at this distance and could easily make it five straight.
Wise Kid owns a strong pedigree (Lemon Drop Kid-Seeking The Gold), and he has won two …read more

A field of 11 has been assembled for Monday’s Southwest Stakes, an early season flat mile prep for the $1million Arkansas Derby (April 11th).
All eyes will be glued to Old Fashioned, an undefeated son of Unbridled’s Song making his first start since dusting the competition in the nine furlong Remsen (G2) in November (replay below).

The Larry Jones charge is firing bullets for this and owns dangerous early foot, but he should be challenged early and often by another son of Unbridled’s Song, Silver City.
Bret Calhoun’s colt has won three straight sprints, including a local stakes tally that …read more