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 tops home including best bets Cole’s Music ($10.20) and Snow Delicious ($8.40). Note that my day one analysis (view sample) can now be viewed here.

Fair Grounds Preview – Nov 7th

An 11-race program will be run at the Fair Grounds on Saturday, and a pair of juvenile stakes races are on tap. Party cloudy skies with highs in the 70’s, so expect fast and firm conditions.

The fillies go six furlongs in the Pontalba, and synthetic/turf specialist Greeley’s Rocket is favored to handle dirt and get the job done.

The boys get their turn in the Old Hickory. Comedero and Western Smoke (Asmussen) are the speedsters. Note that Asmussen also has stalker Enumerate, and that one ran in a pair of graded races at the Spa.

My daily full cards from Fair Grounds are available through Today’s Racing Digest, and I will be posting a daily free pick on their site as well. Click here to view my Saturday free selection from Fair Grounds.

Handicapping the Breeders’ Cup?

Use the BC Dashboard featuring over 100 replays, morning lines and handicapping analysis for all 14 races!

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Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

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 extended sprint. ‘Cisco Torres booted home the winner for Merrill Scherer.

Lady Razorback: First timer Storming Suzy ($40.40) upset the applecart in this stakes event for Arkansas breds. Juan Larrosa was the pilot for conditioner William Hornsby.

Francisco Torres at Louisiana Downs

Razorback Futurity: Comedero ($4.20) was visually impressive in this six furlong event. Torres once again winning pilot.  Churchill shipper Brassy Boy was 2nd best.

Other sharp winners on Saturday included Belfast (Mike Burgess) on the grass and Labeled (Michelle Lovell) on the main. Both could show up at Fair Grounds next.

Got a pair of chalky tops home, and three other tops landed the place in a frustrating day on the handicapping front. No dice with best bet or longshot play of the day. Hope to catch fire on closing day!

October 4th Preview

Sunday Weather: Thunderstorms (90% chance). High 70.

Sunday’s closing day 9-race card features four turf races and includes a Pick 6 carryover of $6,347, and note that there is a mandatory payout.

Zarco is my longshot play of the day in the opener. 2nd timer is bred for grass and hails from sharp turf barn. Hope the weather holds out.

Sissy Partee (9th race) is my best bet on the card. Same connections struck in last Sunday’s finale, and it could be deja vu all over again.

Note that my Oct 4th analysis is complete and posted here. Just click on the Sunday Selections and the pdf file will open.

That’s a wrap on the ‘09 Louisiana Downs meet. I will post a final look blog next week with thoughts and pictures!

Image: Stacy Edwards

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

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 of 12 in a good learning experience and can go better next time.

Got three tops home on Friday. Two days to go!

Electric Alphabet at Louisiana Downs

October 3rd Preview

Saturday Weather: Sunny. High 80.

Saturday’s 10-race card features four juvenile stakes races and includes a Pick 6 carryover of $5,310.

Restless Star (9th race) is my best bet. Likes this oval and turns back in distance. Torres continues to ride well.

Independent Miss (10th race) is my longshot play of the day. Dams has tossed three turf winners, and it’s Torres again!

Note that my Oct 3rd analysis is complete and posted here. Just click on the Saturday Selections and the pdf file will open.

Image: Stacy Edwards

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

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 finished a close-up 2nd at 12-1.

Racing at Louisiana Downs

September 25th Preview

Weather: Isolated storms (30% chance). High 80.

Friday’s 9-race card features four grass races and includes a Pick 6 carryover of $3,355. We had more wet weather on Thursday, and at this rate we will not make it back on the turf before the meet ends on Oct 4th.

He Dances Backward (7th race) is my best bet on the card. This race is scheduled for five furlongs on the turf, but my top handles dirt as well. He hails from a profitable barn and should make his presence felt throughout under hustling apprentice Jansen Melancon. Note that his father Gerard is aboard my 2nd choice Zarb’s Dahar.

Colter Stone is my longshot play of the day. Early-pressing type has found consistency with five straight trifecta finishes.

Note that my September 25th analysis is complete and posted here. Just click on the Friday Selections and the pdf file will open.

Image: Stacy Edwards

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

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 ($10.20).

Large crowd on hand for '09 Super Derby Day.

September 24th Preview

Weather: Thunderstorms (60% chance). High 77.

Thursday’s 9-race card features three grass races and includes a Pick 6 carryover of $3,004. Wet weather is possible once again, and at this rate we will not make it back on the turf before the meet ends on Oct 4th.

Blushing Buddha (6th race) is my best bet. My top three faced each other on Aug 13th, and Buddha got the best of Helliecat and Shouldofbeenanokie that day. He has since come back to run 3rd in a turf sprint and should go better on surface switch for 23% turf/dirt outfit. Torres strings along.

Ulah Tyson (8th race) is my longshot play of the day, and ‘Cisco Torres rides him as well. Lara is 21% 1st off the claim, and I like the confident class hike after $7.5k place finish off a layoff.

Note that my September 24th analysis is complete and posted here. Just click on the Saturday Selections and the pdf file will open.

Image: Stacy Edwards

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

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), Margos Walker ($11.60), and bet down longshot play of the day Dreamsalive ($9).

Away they go at Louisiana Downs!

September 18th Preview

Weather: Thunderstorms (60% chance). High 80.

Friday’s 9-race card features three grass races, but we are probably off the turf again after more rain on Thursday. Hoping for some better weather for Super Derby Saturday

Cour d’Appel (2nd race) is my longshot play of the day. He proved he could route in turf maiden breaker earlier in the meet, and he built up more speed in recent five furlong test.

Izzy Golden (7th race) is my best bet on the card. She finished an above par 2nd in same race my longshot play of the day exits, and this event will probably be run at seven furlongs on the main.

Note that my September 18th analysis is complete and posted here. Just click on the Friday Selections and the pdf file will open.

Image: Stacy Edwards

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

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 three were part of the early Pick 4, and my 2nd choice nabbed the other leg. Note that nobody tabbed four correctly, and 3 of 4 paid $271.40. My race 2-5 analysis could have netted the entire $5k Pick 4 pool!

You know what is coming next. Frequent visitors to this blog and followers of Louisiana Downs racing are aware that I post a daily late Pick 4 ticket at the track. After the early Pick 4 was over, I knew a late card bounce was coming. My suggested $60 ticket bit the dust after Smokin’ Spirit pulled off a wire job in the 6th. I ended up with 2 of 4 and went 0-4 overall in my late Pick 4’s this week. Super Derby week next week, and I am looking to get back on the Pick 4 beam!

Super Derby Call to Post!

September 17th Preview

Weather: Thunderstorms (60% chance). High 78.

Thursday’s 9-race card features four grass races, but we may be off the turf with all of the recent rains.

Appealingtome (4th race) is my best bet on the card. Not much pace in the paper ran and should make presence felt throughout.

Dreamsalive (8th race) is my longshot play of the day. Dons the hood, and barn is 2 for 3 turf to dirt.

Note that my September 17th analysis is complete and posted here. Just click on the Thursday Selections and the pdf file will open.

Image: Stacy Edwards

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

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 up a disappointing 3rd.

Longshot play of the day Kristys Gold Forum was headed out of the show in the 2nd race. Best bet La Estrellita scratched out of race eight.

Wiener Dog Races at Louisiana Downs!

September 12th Preview

Weather: Thunderstorms Likely (80% chance). High 76.

Saturday’s 10-race card features four turf races and includes a Pick 6 carryover of $1,642. Up to two inches of rain is in the forecast, so this could be a messy day of racing.

Wiener Dog Races begin at 10am (rain or shine), and I will be doing the play by play alongside track announcer Travis Stone. Should be fun…bring your umbrellas!

Lorenzo’s Love (3rd race) is my longshot play of the day. Improved on turf last time, and dam has tossed five turf winners. Good chance this race moves to the main track.

Snooky’s Image (9th race) is my best bet on the card. He enjoys this oval and gets the services of leading rider Don Simington.

Note that my September 12th analysis is complete and posted here. Just click on the Saturday Selections and the pdf file will open.

Image: Stacy Edwards

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

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 inch of ground throughout, and the Mike Burgess trainee is worth trying to beat against tougher foes next time.

As for my daily late Pick 4 adventure, missed the opening leg and got the next three home. Note that the amount I am allowed to spend must not exceed $60, and I got it down to $54 by tossing Belfast…oops! In my defense, I tried to beat the chalk in the opening leg in hopes of a nice score. For the record, 4 of 4 paid $929.20 for a deuce. Only one top got the job done for me on Thursday.

Taylors Sister flew home and just missed the place in the 5.5f finale. This one needs more ground and can graduate before the meet ends.

Post Parade at Louisiana Downs

September 11th Preview

Weather: Scattered Thunderstorms (60% chance). High 80.

Friday’s 9-race card features a pair of turf races and includes a Pick 6 carryover of $1,235.

Kristys Gold Forum (2nd race) is my longshot play of the day. Her quest for a hat trick came to an end with a wide trip last time. Can start new streak today.

La Estrellita (8th race) is my best bet on the card. She found trouble in a place finish here last time. She is up the ladder off the claim and can compete here.

Note that my September 11th analysis is complete and posted here. Just click on the Friday Selections and the pdf file will open.

Image: Stacy Edwards

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

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 wins and two seconds in my suggested Pick Four. Note that 3 of 4 paid $123. Only one top got the job done for me on Monday. Three tops landed the place, so it was one of those days. Got a pair of late Pick 4’s home last week.

Louisiana Downs starting gate

September 10th Preview

Weather: Scattered Thunderstorms (30% chance). High 87.

Thursday’s 9-race card features three turf races and includes a small Pick 6 carryover of $714.

Walk Easy (3rd race) is my longshot play of the day. Ran well in a $5k dirt sprint last time. Steps up and tries turf for recently hot barn.

Rather Exciting (6th race) is my best bet on the card. Stalked a slow pace and got the job done last time. Same pace scenario presents itself in this spot.

Note that my September 10th analysis is complete and posted here. Just click on the Thursday Selections and the pdf file will open.

Image: Stacy Edwards

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever