Four bagger for Robby Albarado. Hat trick for trainer Steve Asmussen, and Shaun Bridgmohan rode two. Jamie Theriot booted home a pair.

Everyone is buzzing about Friesan Fire’s romping win in the Louisiana Derby (G2), but it should be noted that filly Rachel Alexandra ran just as fast in her FG Oaks (G2) wire job, and she earned stronger pace figs.

Other highlights included Proudinsky’s repeat win in the grassy Mervyn Muniz Jr. Memorial Handicap (G2), and the enigmatic Macho Again was along in time to snatch the New Orleans Handicap (G2) away from longtime pacesetter Secret Getaway.

Sunday (3-15-09) Fair Grounds preview

Weather: Showers (60% chance). High 69.

We are probably looking an another wet track, and the turf races will likely be transferred. There is a Pick 6 carryover of $9,676.

Race 5: Gratified (4-1) could sit the right trip behind an expected contested early pace. Afternoon Deelites is a 20% wet track sire, and Mark Guidry is 2-6 with this type of returnee. He sports a best of 93 gate bullet for this. Salty Sid (5-2) could be the speed of the speed under Albarado. He ran his foes into the ground in maiden breaker on Feb 24th (replay below).

Race 9: Henry’s Teddybear (8-1) showed late interest from 12-hole in local bow. Barn is a profitable 17% with 2nd timers, and B. J.’s Mark is a 24% odd track sire. Jesus Castanon rides again, and he’s enjoying a solid meet. Really Did Bam (5-2) is the fav and one to catch for Torres/Ducoing.

Photo Credit: newscom.com

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Pioneerof The Nile has won his last two graded synthetic routes at this distance (8.5f) since moving to the Bob Baffert barn, and today’s pilot Garrett Gomez is 2-2 with him. The son of Belmont Stakes winner Empire Maker does not have to win this as he has more than enough graded earnings to make it into the Derby starting gate, but the class of the field is training forwardly and should get the job done at low odds.

Shafted (Mineshaft) has won 2 of 4 route starts and looked good in local allowance win at this distance on Jan 2nd. $150k Keeneland sales grad failed to fire in the Robert Lewis Stakes (replay above), but he has the talent to rebound at a price.

New Bay earned a quality speed rating in local sprint entry level tally on Feb 16th. $310k purchase is 2-2 at Santa Anita, and Richard Mandella gives confident young rider Joe Talamo a leg up.

3-time winner Feisty Suances is the one to catch, but the state bred sprinter might find this distance out of his reach. Best shot to hit the board is to sneak away on a soft pace.

Kelly Leak was disqualified from a graded score last year and has been competitive in 6 of 7 lifetime starts on turf/synthetic. He sports a local bullet and will be finishing.

Jeranimo (Congaree) owns tactical speed and landed the place at this distance last out. He ran well all three outings and is one of several with the ability to hit the board.

He’s Really Big graduated in a flat mile maiden claimer on Jan 14th, then came back and nabbed a local starter allowance affair at this distance on Feb 22nd. Improving sort is in deep water versus stakes foes.

Top 3 Selections: (1) Pioneerof The Nile, (2) Shafted, (3) New Bay

Longshot To Watch: Feisty Suances

Tomorrow, I will take a look at the Tampa Bay Derby and Rebel Stakes.

Photo Credit: newscom.com

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Flying Pegasus ran a huge race to land the place off a layoff while wide from 12-hole in Risen Star. Albarado abandons for Patena, but Johnny V is an ample sub. Ralph Nicks is 21% 2nd off a layoff, and he can compete here if able to avoid a bounce.

Friesan Fire goes for a sweep of the Fair Grounds graded schedule. After wasting too much early energy in an entry level loss to Uno Mas in December, he relaxed nicely and parlayed stalking trips into Lecomte (G3) and Risen Star (G3) wins. Son of A.P. Indy sports a local bullet for this, and this could be a big weekend for Larry Jones as he has Rebel fav Old Fashioned going on Saturday as well.

Papa Clem is the wildcard. Synthetic specialist was beaten a 1/2 length by Pioneerof The Nile in the Robert Lewis Stakes (replay below), and he outfinished subsequent Gotham winner I Want Revenge that day. Early/pressing type is working well for this, and top notch jockey Rafael Bejarano strings along. Gary Stute is 0-15 in graded races and 21% with horses moving from synthetic to dirt.

Giant Oak finished a troubled 5th as the overbet fav in a needed Risen Star effort. He should move forward but could be one of those late running trouble prone types. Note that his two wins occurred on turf and synthetic.

Free Country exits disappointing 4th in graded event at Tampa Bay, but some horses do not handle that surface, so he could rebound with blinkers today. Kent D/McPeek are 30% together, and he sports a pair of Gulfstream bullets for this.

Soul Warrior showed no speed in 6th place Risen Star effort, and Steve Asmussen adds the hood in hopes of getting him focused and involved earlier. He reunites with barn $$ rider Shaun Bridgmohan.

Uno Mas finished 3rd in the Risen Star and 4th in the Lecomte after upsetting Friesan Fire in a local allowance race on Dec 18th.

Nowhere To Hide ran better than expected in even 4th (Risen Star), but he had a good inner post that day, and he’s on the outside looking in today. Just like countless others, the Nick Zito (pictured) runner enters off a bullet work.

Terrain has not been seen since flopping as the fav in Delta Jackpot (G3) on Dec 5th. Al Stall Jr. is 40% blinkers off, but note that this one has lost all four of his starts at a mile or longer. Leparoux hops aboard and he sports a pair of local bullets, but I’ll give the returnee a race.

Top 3 Selections: (1) Patena, (2) Flying Pegasus, (3) Friesan Fire

Longshot To Watch: Free Country

Tomorrow, I will take a look at the San Felipe Stakes.

Photo Credit: newscom.com

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Main track played fair. A couple of rare wire jobs on the turf.

Four-bagger for Robby Albarado. Alvin Sider saddled three winners on the card, and John Jacinto rode two. Two more wins for Steve Asmussen.

Francisco Torres is back from an injury, and he guided More of the Best to a wire job win over fav Elision in the allowance grass feature.

Saturday (3-7-09) Fair Grounds recap

Main track favored early/pressing types in sprints. Turf course played fair.

Hat trick for Shaun Bridgmohan included a pair with his main client Steve Asmussen. Corey Lanerie rode two winners on the card.

Gold Wonder (John Jacinto/Michelle Lovell) carved out tepid fractions and held off my top Get Rich Quick in the 2nd running of the Allen Lacombe Memorial Handicap for grassy fillies and mares.

Sunday (3-8-09) Fair Grounds preview

Weather: Partly cloudy. High 77.

Pick 6 carryover: $4,536

Race 8: Recapturetheglory (2-1) tries to do just that in this optional claiming event. 2008 Illinois Derby (G2) winner needed his last show finish here (replay below), and James Graham has options from the rail with the early/pressing colt. He opted out of yesterday’s turf feature in favor of this dirt route.

Race 9: Trackerman (6-1) earned triple digit late pace figs in last two, but he fell too far back at a flat mile (slow pace) last time. Malcolm Pierce is 21% with this type of layoff runner, and he is back at winning distance today. He scratched out of yesterday’s turf stakes in favor of this optional claimer.

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Both surfaces seemed to play fair.

Brian Hernandez Jr., Lonnie Meche, and Jamie Theriot each booted home a pair. Two more wins for Briggy/Asmussen.

Hallway (Briggy/Asmussen) smartly nabbed the optional claiming turf feature for Louisiana breds. Oro Tributo lunged at the start and missed the place by a 1/2 and a head. Sib to Tortuga Flats deserves another chance.

Friday (3-6-09) Fair Grounds preview

Weather: Partly cloudy. High 77.

Race 5: Spider Power (4-1) has fired in six straight and earned triple digit late pace figs in his last three local turf outings. PVal got to know him last time (replay below), and he’s 2-3 with this barn here.

Race 9: Monterey Street (12-1) exits two straight main track route wins, and she was claimed out of her last by competent trainer Alvin Sider. Candy Ride is a solid grass sire, and dam has tossed three turf winners. Elision (5-2) earned triple digit late pace fig in needed show finish here last out. She’s the one to beat.

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

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

Edge to stalkers on the main. Turf course played fair.

Robby Albarado, James Graham, and Jamie Theriot each booted home a pair.

Final Judgement rolled to a popular maiden route tally (replay below) for his new trainer David Carroll. Robby Albarado piloted the 3yo son of Northern Afleet, out of a Demons Begone mare.

Saturday (2-28-09) Fair Grounds recap

Stalkers and closers fared best on both surfaces.

Hat trick for Robby Albarado, and Shaun Bridgmohan/Steve Asmussen teamed up for three wins on the day.

A pair of Delta Downs invaders nabbed the co-features on the lawn. Milwaukee Miracle (Donnie Meche/Bob Young) came from last to nab the 25th running of the Gentilly for state bred 3yo males, and Wanna Cuddle (Corey Lanerie/Abdulla Ishaq) rallied to nab the Sarah Lane’s Oates for LA-bred 3yo fillies.

Sunday (3-1-09) Fair Grounds preview

Weather: Partly cloudy/wind. High 57.

Race 2: Hector Connector (9-2) hails from the recently hot Mike Burgess barn. Carlos Gonzalez has been riding well lately, and graduation day may have arrived.

Race 4: Ol’ Jack Magic (9-2) earned strong pace figs in much needed local return on Feb 7th. Jacinto/Calhoun are 3-9 together recently, and he might get brave if able to shake loose early.

Race 5: Forest Jazzy (9-2) exits sharp main track sprint tally (replay below) off the Keith Bourgeois claim. She is 0-4 on turf, but she faced better in the past, and she’s on top of her game in grass return. She has the speed to succeed at this 5.5f distance.

Race 9: Gloria Goodbody (8-1) returns for John Glenney, who has struck with a pair of local turf returnees (Transduction Gold, Orthodox) recently. Jesus Castanon was the pilot in her sharp Keeneland score on Oct 18th, and he’s enjoying a fine meet at Fair Grounds.

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

The Pamplemousse, the 9-5 morning line favorite, has won two straight, including the Grade 3 San Rafael at a flat mile here. Alex Solis/Julio Canani are 4-7 together, and the early/pressing type might get brave if able to sneak away early. He gets a stamina test today and will not offer much wagering value.

Mr. Hot Stuff is on the upswing for trainer Eoin Harty and WinStar Farms. His older brother Colonel John was 6th in last year’s Kentucky Derby before winning the Travers later that summer. The son of 2-time BC Classic winner Tiznow is bred to be any kind and will be closing. I have always liked this one, and the $200k Keeneland sales grad is working well for this. Below is a replay of his Feb 1st maiden win at Santa Anita.

Smart Bid owns fine tactical speed for the 43% Rafael Bejarano/Graham Motion team, and he has handled turf, dirt, and synthetic. Improving sort looms the upsetter.

Take The Points invades from Florida for Todd Pletcher, and we will have to see how he handles synthetic ground. Garrett Gomez hops aboard the winner of two straight.

Bourbon Bay is a quality turf performer, and I would not be shocked if he rallied for a share for sharp conditioner Neil Drysdale.

Mark S The Cooler has failed to threaten in three stakes tries.

Unbridled Roman scratched out of an easier allowance spot earlier this week. He ran well when stretched out here last time, and he gets tested for class today.

Ventana stretches out for Bob Baffert and could challenge The Pamplemousse early.

Hi Flyin Indy is also trained by Eoin Harty, and the Darley Stable colt disappointed in 1st start versus winners last time. His stablemate Mr. Hot Stuff is more interesting.

Tiz True is bred to improve with distance and experience, but he is not fast enough at this stage to compete with these.

Balfour Park was claimed out of a $100k maiden claimer by Craig Lewis, and this is an ambitious spot for the recent graduate.

Lifeline was an early scratch.

Top 3 Selections: (1) Mr. Hot Stuff, (2) The Pamplemousse, (3) Smart Bid

Longshot to watch: Bourbon Bay

Photo Credit: newscom.com

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Edge to early/pressing types on the main. Turf course played fair.

Robby Albarado, Shaun Bridgmohan, and Jamie Theriot each booted home a pair.

Overbid (Eric Guillot) looked good in a clearly best flat mile entry level tally (race 8). The SoCal synthetic specialist may have found his niche routing on dirt.

Selva (Albarado/David Carroll) turned back a challenge from On The Menu (Larry Jones) en route to a sharp wire job tally in the 65th running of the Mardi Gras Stakes. 3-time stakes winner dashed 5.5f on the turf in 1:04.63.

Friday (2-27-09) Fair Grounds preview

Weather: AM clouds/PM sun. High 77.

Race 7: Final Judgement (5-2) ran into a pair of subsequent winners in a local 4th place effort last time, and he hooked Danger To Society and Saratoga Sinner at Churchill (replay below) before that. David Carroll is 25% with new additions to his barn, and graduation day has seemingly arrived. Robby Albarado teamed up to win the Mardi Gras Stakes (Selva) with this barn.

Race 9: Sir Rabbit (6-1) did not get the proper race shape last time, but today’s expected slow/early fast late event should allow him to bring it on. Note that he earned triple digit late pace figs in both of his good local efforts at this distance (Nov 23rd & Jan 15th).

Race 10: My racingonthenet free selection of the day.

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Edge to early/pressing types (2 wire jobs) on Pro-Ride. Stalkers nabbed the two downhill sprints, and Sunny Peace (Solis-Gallagher) pulled off a wire job at the speed friendly flat mile (turf) distance.

Chantal Sutherland booted home a pair of filly maiden claiming sprinters, and Jeff Mullins saddled two maiden claiming winners on the card.

Thursday (2-26-09) preview

Today’s card features a Pick 6 carryover of $704,945.

Weather: Partly cloudy. High 70.

Race 3: Pick 6 starts here. Vague Notion (5-2) just missed the place in her productive race bow, then came back to rally for 2nd last time. Today’s added 1/2 furlong helps, and Solis seemingly chose this one over Paddy Gallagher dropper Defense King (2-1).

Race 4: My MySpace free selection of the day.

Race 5: Eddie The Hat (7-2) drops, cuts back a furlong, and reunites with Corey Nakatani, who rode him to a $50k place finish on Jan 14th. Cold Ruler (9-5) missed by a 1/2 length as the heavy fav last out, and show finisher Belongs To Gotham came back to win his next start.

Race 6: My racingonthenet free selection of the day.

Race 7: Midships (3-5) was last seen rallying for the show in the Grade 1 Hollywood Derby (replay below). Robert Frankel is high on the 4yo son of Mizzen Mast, and he’s working well for this. Patch of Blue (8-1) rallied from far back to land the show in a much needed effort at the speed friendly flat mile distance last time. He earned triple digit late pace figs in his 1st three outings, and the longer the better for the Richard Mandella trainee. You Got Me Rocking (5-1) is an early/pressing contender for Mike Mitchell, and his last win occurred at this distance off a layoff last May. Slam Dunk (8-1) ran into the undefeated Rail Trip in his synthetic US bow. He hails from the productive Bejarano/Motion team and landed the place three times on the sod overseas.

Race 8: Pacific Halo (9-5) has finished 2nd in all three outings, and he earned above par speed ratings in his last two $40k starts. Early/pressing type cuts back a 1/2 furlong, and Periban is a profitable 16% with this type of dropper.

Photo Credit: newscom.com

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever