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

For the Derby, I posted a few Top 5 Longshot blogs, and Musket Man ended up a decent 3rd from my list.
With the Preakness coming up on Saturday, I will mention a trio of price horses worth following, starting with General Quarters.
I did not like General Quarters at Churchill, but he figures to offer more value this time around.

The Tom McCarthy runner ended up 10th in the Derby, and he has been an enigmatic sort in his last four outings. Two-time graded winner is on a good race/bad race pattern, and if that holds up, …read more

Papa Clem did not do enough in his two morning works since arriving in Louisville, so Gary Stute sent him out for a swift three furlong blowout (:34.47). He really needed that stiff move, but I still do not fancy the son of Smart Strike. I thought the Arkansas Derby was weak, and he seems a cut below the best.
Last minute entrant Nowhere To Hide, trained by former Derby winning trainer Nick Zito, had a two furlong move in :25.40. He has finished 4th in all three graded route tries and is overmatched on …read more

Wednesday was quiet on the Kentucky Derby front. Square Eddie jogged, and Desert Party visited the starting gate.
Papa Clem galloped and will have one more drill in the near future.
West Side Bernie is expected to work on Saturday.

On Thursday morning, General Quarters breezed five furlongs in 1:01.79. The drill ranked 13th of 30 moves at the distance. He did not finish up strongly in a lackluster work. Julien Leparoux will ride the Tom McCarthy’s Blue Grass hero.
Desert Party continues to make a nice appearance. I liked him when he ran in the US last year and consider him a viable …read more

General Quarters got back on the beam in the Blue Grass Stakes, and the former claimer is the feel good Derby story for 75yo owner/trainer Tom McCarthy.

The General, along with Illinois Derby winner Musket Man, have certainly put the Tampa Bay Downs preps on the map.
Lane’s End hero Hold Me Back rallied for the place in a perfect Derby prep performance, but the Bill Mott runner must still prove he can handle conventional dirt.
Massone did SoCal proud with a show finish, and Terrain put in his usual solid effort to round of the superfecta.
Disappointments included Kentucky Challenge Stakes hero …read more

A field of 11 will go to post in Saturday’s Blue Grass Stakes (G1), and at least eight have a reasonable shot at nabbing the top prize.
I have always liked Patena and will give him another chance following a disappointing Louisiana Derby effort. Both career wins were accomplished on synthetic, and Albarado strings along. He sports a pair of local drills and can surprise if able to return to Lecomte form.
Hold Me Back is 3-3 on synthetic and looked good in Lane’s End return. Obvious contender for Kent D/Mott if able to avoid a bounce.
General …read more

Saturday’s $300k Tampa Bay Derby has drawn an interesting field of 11, and note that there have only been two wire jobs in 61 races conducted at 8.5f. Stalk and pounce types perform best, and I will look for value contenders with the right running style.
Musket Man won his 1st three sprint starts and was hardly disgraced in Sam Davis show finish (post 9) at this distance here last time. He projects a ground saving stalking trip at playable odds. He sports a pair of local bullets for this, and note that he defeated Sam Davis winner General Quarters …read more