Both surfaces seemed to play fair. The handicapping is tougher when the track plays fair, but it is nice to see that horses with various running styles have a fighting chance.

Great to see Francisco Torres return from Sunday’s spill. He picked himself up, dusted himself off, and pulled off the hat trick…way to go ‘Cisco!

Thumbs up from PVal!

I ran into injured jockey Pat Valenzuela today, and his shoulder is still sore from the aforementioned spill. He will have another x-ray in short order. Here’s hoping for a speedy recovery PVal!

My top Western Pine ($10) won the 6th, but the story of the race was the near upset posted by 84-1 Leona’s Sweetboy. Nice to see Chuck Karlin almost pull the shocker. He frequently watches my noon handicapping seminar, and he told me after the race that he almost snuck one by me. Hustling apprentice Anna Roberts rode the impossible longshot, and she will get just as much notice for that type as she would a winning ride.

Got a pair of tops home, but my longshot play of the day Bell Z failed to fire, and my best bet The Mallard Man raced wide and last in the 8th. The former figures to drop back in to a maiden claimer, while the latter can rebound with a better trip.

Got the first two home in my suggested $60 Pick 4, and I beat the 3-5 in the opening leg, but I landed the place in the last two with a 9-1 and a 3-1. For the record, 4 of 4 paid $3,842.80 for a deuce.

August 28th Preview

Weather: Scattered Storms (40% chance). High 85.

Friday’s 9-race card features four grass races and includes a Pick 6 carryover of $7,993.

Foxy Flyer (7th race) is my best bet on the card. This is more of a likely winner than a value play. Was a clear 2nd at 7f last time, and he was a sharp 6f winner before that.

Had To Bee (8th race) is my longshot play of the day. Going To The Sun wins this if able to handle the sod, but Had To Bee is a proven turfer with a decent finishing kick. Bet the longshot to win and box with the aforementioned fav.

Note that my August 28th 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

Edge to early/pressing types for most of the day. Off the pace types nabbed the final two main track races carded. Stalkers and closers ruled the weeds once again.

Corey Lanerie booted home a pair, and Shaun Bridgmohan/Steve Asmussen teamed up for two wins on the card.

Parker Run (race 7) showed surprising speed in his turf sprint comeback. He ended up a solid 3rd after battling with fav Nereus (4th) from the outset. Expect him to revert to patient tactics next time.

Cya Later Bert (race 9) rallied for the show from the negative rail post in the turf sprint feature. He’ll win one of these local optional claimers for Amoss.

Saturday (1-3-09) Fair Grounds preview

Saturday’s 10-race card features the Dixie Poker Ace (race 9) for Louisiana bred turfers. Desert Wheat (3-1) is a live late runner on either surface for PVal-Mott.

Desert Wheat – Fair Grounds Replay Dec 13th

Weather: Thunderstorms (80% chance). High 74.

Race 6: Very Capo (12-1) goes turf to dirt and scurries back up the class ladder. Note that he likes a wet track should the predicted thunderstorms hit.

Race 8: Queen Rolex (8-1) is a 2-time local winner dropping in class off a layoff. She’s also 2-2 over a wet track should that come into play. I picked her a couple of times at Louisiana Downs. Forest Jazzy (7-2) is probably the one to catch for PVal-Mott.

Race 10: My racingonthenet free selection of the day.

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

A trio of wire jobs on the main as early/pressing types enjoyed a productive day. Turf course played fair with a wire job (5.5f sprint), stalker (8.5f), and off the pace type (flat mile) accounting for the three wins.

Hat trick for Lonnie Meche. Another winner for Theriot/Autrey. Bret Calhoun saddled two winners on the card.

Pick 6 paid on 3, so there is a small carryover of $649.

Saturday (11-22-08) Fair Grounds preview

Saturday’s 10-race card includes a pair of juvenile stakes races, the $60k Old Hickory Stakes (race 7) for males, and the $60k Pontalba (race 9) for fillies. Sunny and dry conditions expected through the weekend.

Race 5: Yesterday’s turf sprint was nabbed in wire-to-wire fashion, and Kim’s Gem (8-1) is the one to catch under PVal. Cody Autrey has 7-2 fav Belend entered. Theriot is not riding at Fair Grounds today, and Torres is an ample sub. Silver Dollar Sam could sit a decent outer tracking trip for 21% layoff trainer Andrew Leggio Jr.

Race 7: Graham/Amoss have two wins a second together to kick of the current stand, and they are back with Proud Jefe (4-1) in this juvenile stakes affair.

Race 9: PVal/Bill Mott teamed up for two stakes wins on opening week, and they have Kays And Jays (7-2) in this spot.

Race 10: Got yesterday’s racinonthenet free pick winner (Dancin Perfect) home to the tune of $74.20. Let’s see if lightning can strike twice in the juvenile maiden turf ranks. Click here to view today’s racingonthenet free selection of the day, the 10th race from Fair Grounds.

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Fast main track played fair on Sunday. Stalkers fared best on the turf.

Francisco Torres pulled off a four-bagger to take the lead in the rider standings after the first week. Theriot/Autrey teamed up for another winner, making it four for the week. For the 2nd straight day, Graham/Amoss hooked up for a winner.

Other notable week one stats: Sam David Jr. is off to a 2-2 start. Apprentice rider Dustin Dugas found the winners’ circle in Sunday’s opener. Sturges Ducoing saddled a pair of winners for the week that was, and note that Torres rode both. PVal rode four winners last week, including a pair of stakes wins for Bill Mott. Donnie Meche/Steve Asmussen tandem struck three times.

Friday (11-21-08) Fair Grounds preview

Friday’s 10-race card includes a trio of grass races. Sunny and dry conditions expected through the weekend.

Race 1: Hargill earned an above par speed rating in course/distance tally on Nov. 15th. D.Meche/S.Amsussen runner wheels back quickly and can make it two straight. The formidable jockey/trainer tandem also hook up with live contenders in the 5th, 7th, and 9th races.

Race 4: Theriot/Autrey have fav Time For Etbauer in this spot. They also team up with 3-1 contender Nereus in the 6th.

Race 8: Graham/Amoss have late striding Flying Zombo in this grass route, and trainer is 29% first blinkers. Sam David Jr., 2-2 to start the meet, has wire job threat Wild Dinner Party with Torres aboard, but speed typically backs up over this grass course. Whywhy Cat and Holy Anthem are obvious threats. Invisible Lee will be running late for the unlucky Mike Stidham, who had five place finishers here last week.

Race 10: My racingonthenet free selection of the day.

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Fair Grounds recap (11-15-08)

Fast main track and off the turf on Saturday. In a virtual replay of opening day, early/pressing types held the advantage early, and the track played fair as the day wore on.

Leading rider Pat Valenzuela booted home a pair for the 2nd straight day, and he teamed up to win a stakes race with Bill Mott again as well. Theriot/Autrey teamed up for two winners on opening day and another on Saturday. They also finished 2nd twice today. The aforementioned Bill Mott saddled a pair of winners on opening day and another on Saturday. Two more wins for the Donnie Meche/Steve Asmussen team.

Desert Wheat smartly nabbed the originally scheduled for the turf Mr. Sulu. The late running LA-bred is a serious player on either surface the rest of the meet.

Fair Grounds preview (11-16-08)

Sunday’s 10-race card includes a pair of grass races, and the extended weather forecast is promising. If not back on the turf for this program, then definitely next week. There is a small Pick 6 carryover of $1,309.

Race 3: Morning line fav Ideseeyouinhouston is 0-23, and 2nd choice Y’s Beau appears better on the turf. Brahms Dynasty is a viable alternative to the aforementioned duo. He switches barns and drops to his lowest level. His best career speed rating was earned on the main track, and the turf/dirt runner shows up in a winning spot.

Race 4: Burrowing Owl is the lone Theriot/Autrey runner on the card, and he is a viable threat from the rail.

Race 5: My racingonthenet free selection of the day.

Race 8: Superior Storm gears up for Louisiana Champions Day (Dec. 13th) in this 6f event. She is 3-4 at this distance and should put forth a decent effort off the bench. Biduadeau is clearly better in sprints and could turn the tables on her aforementioned nemesis.

Race 9 My MySpace free selection of the day.

Photo Credit: Newscom

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Fair Grounds recap (11-14-08)

Sloppy main track and off the turf on opening day. Early/pressing types held the advantage early, and the track played fair as the day wore on.

PVal booted home a pair. Theriot/Autrey teamed up for two winners, and Bill Mott saddled a pair of winners on opening day.

Fair Grounds preview (11-15-08)

Saturday’s 10-race card includes the grassy $60k Mr. Sulu Stakes. Windy weather is expected with a high of 60, and a string of sunny days is in the forecast through next weekend.

Race 2: Theriot/Autrey won two races together on opening day, and they are teaming up four times on Saturday, beginning with Clever Etbauer in this race. I would not be surprised if they won a few more today.

Race 3: Hazel Grove finished 2nd behind Wanna Cuddle at Louisiana Downs on Oct. 18th., and that rival returned to win a state bred entry level race here yesterday (race 6). All Too Solid finished a solid 3rd in her downhill bow at Santa Anita. She’s in with LA-breds while trying the main track for the first time. Muffin will be closing for the productive Melancon/Breaux team. Nice work at the Evangeline Training Center on Nov. 1st.

Race 8: My racingonthenet free selection of the day.

Race 9 (Mr. Sulu Stakes): Bill Mott won two races here yesterday, and he has Desert Wheat in today’s feature. It remains to be seen whether this race remains on the grass. PVal rides, and he won a pair on Friday as well, including the $60k Blushing K.D.H. aboard Stormy West for this barn. Autobeacat was my fav horse at LA Downs, and this sharp, versatile gelding handles any footing. Tortuga Flats is a win machine. Diggy Fresh has a nice rivalry going with Autobeacat.

Photo Credit: Newscom

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