Fair Grounds Recap – Nov 6th
No bias surprises on opening day. Speed strong in sprints. Turf course favored patient runners.
James Graham, John Jacinto, and ‘Cisco Torres each booted home a pair.
Much Obliged was made the overwhelming fav in the Blushing K D Stakes, and she lived up to advanced billing with a solid off the pace tally under fine grass rider Francisco Torres. The Malcolm Pierce trainee definitely held a class advantage. Never Retreat was a stubborn 2nd, and the ultra-consistent Category Seven held the show.
A solid start on the analysis front. Got a pair of …read more

October 3rd Louisiana Downs Recap
Fast and firm conditions on Saturday. Edge to early/pressing types on the main. Turf course seemed to play fair.
Hat trick for Ramsey Zimmerman included one in the stakes ranks. Francisco Torres booted home a pair of stakes winners.
Louisiana Stallion (Fillies): Happyfromthegitgo was part of a favored entry, and both halves flopped. Maiden 2nd timer Pass It Down ($39.80) was the winner for Zimmerman/Mouton. Bombs away in the show pool with payouts ranging from $36.40 to $74.
Louisiana Stallion (Colts & Geldings): Spa shipper Red Rally ($3.60) could not have been more impressive in this …read more

October 2nd Louisiana Downs Recap
Fast and firm conditions on Friday. Had some rain on Thursday night, but not enough to affect the racing surface. Early-pressing types best on main. Turf seemed to play fair.
Hat trick for leading rider Don Simington. Francisco Torres booted home a pair.
Foreign Production easily captured the 4th as the heavy fav. He might show up in a stakes event at Fair Grounds in the near future.
Kylie’s Dream tried turf and a route of ground for the first time in the 5th, and she did not corner well around the first turn. She finished 8th …read more

September 24th Louisiana Downs Recap
Dreary day with occasional showers, and we were off the turf for 7th straight day and 12th time in last 17 racedays. There was definitely some moisture in the fast main track, which seemed to play fair.
Francisco Torres booted home a pair.
Matzoh Toga always looked like a winner in the 5th, and Gerard Melancon gave him a very confident ride. He is going well right now and is a threat to click right back next time.
Got a pair of tops home on Thursday. Best bet Blushing Buddha scratched, and longshot play of the day Ulah Tyson …read more

September 20th Louisiana Downs Recap
Fast track and off the turf. Main started out fair and favored speed as the day wore on.
The Difference (8th race) was my original top for turf, but I downgraded him to my 3rd choice when the race was transferred to the main. He rallied to miss 2nd by a neck, and look for him to return to the sod next time.
I was hot all week long on the analysis front, and I escaped a post Super Derby bounce with three more tops getting the job done on Sunday, including best bet Jami Baby …read more

September 17th Louisiana Downs Recap
Wet track and off the turf again as the damp weather persists. The two seven furlong winners went last to first. Edge to early/pressing types in the other races.
A pair of wins for Richard Eramia and ‘Cisco Torres.
Based on the way extended sprints played, my best bet Appealingtome ran well in the 4th. She set the pace and just held the show. I thought she was a bit suspect in the stamina department, and the track profile did not help her cause. Next time at a shorter distance.
Three value tops home including Miss Alice Nell ($17.20), …read more

September 13th Louisiana Downs Recap
Wet track and off the turf again. Early/pressing types dominated.
Richard Eramia, Don Simington, and ‘Cisco Torres each booted home a pair. Jerry Cart saddled two winners on the day.
Lucky Lou rallied from off the pace to finish a clear 2nd in the 6th race. He ran a winning race against the bias but could not reel in wire job winner Smokin’ Spirit. Royal Twine finished an even 3rd and is better on turf.
Big rebound day on the analysis front. Four tops got the job done and paid $8.60, $22.80, $13.20, and $4. The first …read more

September 11th Louisiana Downs Recap
Fast and firm on Friday, but wet weather is looming. Edge to early/pressing types both days this week. Stalkers and closers continue to hold the edge on turf.
Hat trick for red hot jock Francisco Torres. John Jacinto booted home a pair.
In a bit of a handicapping slump. Only one top last Sunday and this Thursday, and no tops got the job done on Friday. Got a pair home in my suggested Pick 4, and I was 2nd and 3rd in the other two legs. My suggested single Tootie Mama controlled the pace as expected in the grassy 8th, but she ended …read more

September 10th Louisiana Downs Recap
Fast and firm on Thursday. Slight edge to early-pressing types on the main. Turf course continues to favor stalkers and closers. Turf rails at 15 feet this week.
Hat trick for leading rider Don Simington. A pair of turf wins for Francisco Torres.
Longshot play of the day Walk Easy carved out the splits in the grassy 3rd and weakened to 5th.
My best bet Rather Exciting stalked, pounced, and took the lead as expected, but he weakened to 5th in the late stages. Belfast powered home as the chalky winner, but he sat a golden trip saving every …read more

September 7th Louisiana Downs Recap
Fast and firm on Labor Day. Main track played fair. Stalkers and closers best on the turf.
Curt Bourque, Jason Eads, and Francisco Torres each booted home a pair. Richard Eramia/Brian House teamed up for two wins on the day.
Heads up ride by Curt Bourque aboard local turf lover Wildrally in the 6th. He did not let chalky controlling speed Angelonmyshoulder (Jose Riquelme) sneak away early, and the former edged away late thanks to Bourque.
My best bet was the aforementioned Angelonmyshoulder, and he settled for the place. Longshot play of the day Rockittown (8-1) was necked in late stretch.
Got two …read more