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

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

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

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 on the main. A stalker and a wire job made up the two turf route winners.

Jesus Castanon booted home a pair, and Bret Calhoun saddled two winners on the card.

Orthodox (John Glenney) controlled proceedings throughout in the allowance grass feature. 3yo son of Pulpit was last seen carving out the splits before weakening in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf.

Tuesday (2-24-09) Fair Grounds preview

The special Fat Tuesday card features the $60k Mardi Gras Stakes for 3yo filly turf sprinters.

Weather: Partly cloudy. High 67.

Race 6: Mimi’s Boss Sauce (8-1) stretches out and receives a rider upgrade to James Graham, who is a profitable 2-9 with this barn. 1-17 miss might get brave if able to shake loose early.

Race 7: My MySpace free selection of the day.

Race 9 (Mardi Gras Stakes): Selva (9-5) was last seen setting the pace and holding the place in the flat mile $75k Tiffany Lass (replay below). She is 3-3 in sprints and is bred well enough to handle the sod. Robby Albarado hops aboard the 2-time stakes winner.

Race 10: My racingonthenet free selection of the day.

Photo Credit: newscom.com

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Stalkers fared best on the main. The two turf races were taken by a stalker (5.5f sprint) and a late runner (8f route).

Hat trick for Robby Albarado, and John Jacinto & Corey Lanerie both booted home a pair. Steve Asmussen saddled three winners on the card, and Shaun Bridgmohan rode two.

Outta Tune (Albarado/Tom Amoss) smoked six panels in 1:10.03 en route to a clearly best 5-length tally in the optional claiming feature.

Monday (2-23-09) Fair Grounds preview

Weather: Mostly sunny. High 60.

Race 4: Steve’s Star (7-2) is a $500k Keeneland sales grad out of 15% 1st grass sire Dynaformer, and Corey Lanerie/David Carroll are 3-4 together. He’s been working here since November and should be fit for his debut.

Race 7: War Eagle Lady (5-1) paired-up tops in her last two, a flat mile maiden win at Churchill (replay below) and a clearly 2nd best entry level effort at Turfway. Angel Montano shows a profit with new additions to his barn, and she fired fresh on turf last fall.

Race 8: My racingonthenet free selection of the day.

Race 9: My MySpace free selection of the day.

Photo Credit: newscom.com

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Both surfaces played fair.

Justin Shepherd booted home a pair including Love To Tell in the Bayou Hcp. Hat trick for trainer Mike Burgess, and the aforementioned Shepherd rode two. Jamie Theriot/Cody Autrey teamed up for two wins on the card.

Love To Tell carved out pedestrian splits and cruised to an easy 2-1/4 length tally in the 41st running of the $125k Bayou Handicap for grassy fillies and mares.

Sunday (2-22-09) Fair Grounds preview

The Feb 22nd card features a pair of grass races and includes a Pick 6 carryover of $4,077.

Weather: Mostly sunny. High 58.

Race 5: Woodway (6-1) crossed the line 1st (Dq’d to 2nd) in lone turf sprint try last summer. He goes synthetic to turf and owns fine early/pressing speed from the rail for the 38% Graham/Thornbury team.

Race 7: Queen Of The Ridge (6-1) was re-claimed out of her last by 17% local trainer Merrill Scherer. She switches to recently hot jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. and figures all over an expected tepid early pace. She breaks inside of Durrymane (3-1) today and appears capable of turning the tables on that rival. A replay of their Jan 31st meeting is featured below.

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

No wire jobs on the main. Stalkers and closers fared best on the turf.

Hat trick for Brian Hernandez Jr. John Jacinto booted home a pair. Sam Breaux saddled two winners on the card.

Sharp stalk and pounce optional claiming turf win under Robby Albarado for returnee Costa Rising (race 5). The Louisiana-bred performer is likely headed back to the stakes ranks if able to remain healthy. Hope I get to see him at LaD this summer.

Turf marathon specialist Transduction Gold has been competitive from Kentucky to SoCal, and he returned in the pink at a shorter than best 8.5f for John Glenney in the optional claiming grass feature. Back classers Sterwins and Crested filled out the exotics, and both likely needed the outing.

Saturday (2-21-09) Fair Grounds preview

The Feb 21st card features the $125k Bayou Handicap for grassy fillies and mares.

Weather: Partly cloudy. High 68.

Race 3: Destiny Bound (8-1) receives a rider upgrade to John Jacinto, and Pat Mouton is 21% with this type of returnee. She rallied for the show in turf sprint bow, then experienced a wide trip at this flat mile distance 2nd time out.

Race 5: Man Named Sue (9-2) has run well without winning in last two tries at this level, and he was nabbed out of his last by 24% claiming artist Cody Autrey. Barn $$ rider Jamie Theriot hops aboard, and a trip to the winners’ circle is just around the bend.

Race 9 (Bayou Handicap): Larry Jones trainee Shytoe Lafeet (8-5) frequently runs her race and enters in decent form, but note that she is 0-4 at nine furlongs. Meribel (7-2) is a veteran graded performer with the ability to win this one. Love To Tell (8-1) was only a length behind Shytoe here last out (replay below), and she reunites with winning stakes pilot Shepherd. Nans Joy (9-2) is headed the right way for Robby Albarado/Bill Mott, and we’ll see if she can navigate added furlong.

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever