First off, the track was fast, and a pair of stakes races were run on the grass. Main track played fair, and the two turf races were nabbed by stalking types.

Hat trick for Jamie Theriot. Corey Lanerie booted home a pair, and Briggy/Asmussen teamed up for two wins on the card.

Steve Asmussen saddled two stakes winners on the Santa Super Saturday card at Fair Grounds

Sugar Bowl: Red hot trainer Steve Margolis kept things going as Cool Bullet held off my top choice Big Texas Daddy to triumph by a head. The winner paid $14 and completed six furlongs in 1:10.85.

Bonapaw: First of two turf events, and this 5.5f sprint was captured by 18-1 Grand Traverse. 2-1 fav Grand Adventure was 2nd best.

LA Champions Day Ladies Sprint: One of four rescheduled races from Louisiana Champions Day. Contested pace allowed Seven Seventythree to roll to a sharp win from off the pace for Briggy/Asmussen. Cajun Conference did all of the pace dirty work and gamely held the place.

Esplanade: 6-5 favorite She’s Our Annie ran her winning streak to five with a facile wire job tally under Jon Court.

LA Champions Day Classic: Another heavy favorite shooting for five straight wins, and Star Guitar coasted home in an effortless tally.

Daily Racing Form Distaff: Briggy/Asmussen team up for their 2nd stakes win on the day with War Echo, who did not disappoint in an easy tally as the fav.

LA Champions Day Turf: 4th straight winning fav as Desert Wheat showed more tactical speed than usual in a four-length romp for Lanerie/Mott. Unforgotten was clearly 2nd best.

Letellier Memorial: Win streak for favs end as My Jen held off outside chalk Visavis by a nose. Sheer Beauty might have been best as she overcame trouble to miss by a bit more than a length.

LA Champions Day Sprint: A strong win for the fav as Flashy Wild Cat weaved his way through the field for a visually impressive four-length victory. He blitzed six furlongs in 1:09.86 and might have been the most impressive winner on the card.

Daily results and video from Fair Grounds can be found here.

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Fast main track and off the turf. Surface played fair with four wire jobs, four stalkers, and four patient runners making up the twelve winners.

Hat trick for Corey Lanerie included a pair with trainer Cody Autrey. Shane Sellers booted home a pair.

The aforementioned Lanerie and Autrey were my combo to watch on Friday, and they enjoyed a productive day together.

On the analysis front, I got home tops Bella Medaglia ($8.40), Our Dancer ($19.20), and John’s Brown Bear ($22). I also tabbed the 6^th race exacta ($29.60).

They're off at Fair Grounds

Fair Grounds Preview – Dec 19th

A 13-race program will be run on Santa Super Saturday at the Fair Grounds. Nine stakes races are on tap, including the four rescheduled Louisiana Champions Day races. The weather is expected to mostly sunny with a high temperature of 57.  Pick 6 carryover of $2,732.

Sugar Bowl: Asmussen has morning line fav Enumerate in this spot. Note that barn also has Big Texas Daddy.

Bonapaw: Cosmic is the 3-1 choice in this turf sprint. Note that the 5-time main track winner is winless in four turf outings.

LA Champions Day Ladies: Master Link is the one to beat after a troubled 3^rd in local prep for this.

Calvin Borel has four live mounts on the Santa Super Saturday card at Fair Grounds

Esplanade: Speedy filly She’s Our Annie shoots for 5^th straight win in this event.

LA Champions Day Classic: Star Guitar is 3-5 to make it five straight.

Daily Racing Form Distaff: War Echo is the 9-5 fav for Asmussen. She captured the Grade 3 Silverbulletday here in February.

LA Champions Day Turf: Desert Wheat is a 4-time local turf winner exiting a sharp late running tally in the Mr. Sulu Stakes here.

Letellier Memorial: My Jen is the tepid 4-1 favorite. She is 2 for 2 lifetime, but note that both wins were over synthetic ground.

LA Champions Day Sprint: Flashy Wise Cat exits sharp local win on Nov 14^th, and a similar effort puts her in the winners’ circle again.

My daily full cards from Fair Grounds are available through Today’s Racing Digest (free sign up), and I will be posting a daily free pick on their site as well. Click here to view my Saturday free selection ( 6th race) from Fair Grounds.

Daily results and video from Fair Grounds can be found here.

For daily free picks and racing news, visit HorseRacingNation.

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Sloppy (sealed) main track and off the turf. Three wire jobs as early-pressing types held the edge.

Shaun Bridgmohan booted home a pair.

A couple of sharp debut winners on the Monday card. Impressionist went coast to coast in the 2^nd race, and the Stidham trainee was running over a route of ground in a race originally scheduled for the turf. She is bred for turf as well.

In the 7^th race, Bravo Whiskey rallied to post a six-length tally for Neil Howard. The Smart Strike 2yo covered six furlongs in 1:12.32.

Auspicious made her return a winning one in the 6^th for Briggy/Asmussen. The daughter of Indian Charlie looked like a future stakes performer to start her career before tailing off and going to the shelf.

On the analysis front, I got home best bet top Sizzle Me ($6.20). I also tabbed the $224.60 pick three beginning with the opening race, along with a pair of exactas later in the day.

Fair Grounds Preview – Dec 17th

A 9-race program will be run at the Fair Grounds on Thursday. There is a 70% chance of rain with highs in the upper 50’s. Pick 6 carryover of $940.

I made Jose Riquelme my rider to watch on Monday, and he booted home a winner in the opening race. The aggressive pilot has four more mounts today, and he has decent shots with Zava Jack in the 3rd and Farasino in the 7th.

A few quick starting trainers have entrants on Thursday. Victor Arceneaux sends out Miss Johanna in the 2^nd race, and fellow hot conditioner Edward Johnston has Ladyzarbridge in the same event. Steve Margolis has Country Day in the 8^th race.

My daily full cards from Fair Grounds are available through Today’s Racing Digest (free sign up), and I will be posting a daily free pick on their site as well. Click here to view my Thursday free selection (9th race) from Fair Grounds.

Daily results and video from Fair Grounds can be found here.

For daily free picks and racing news, visit HorseRacingNation.

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Four main track sprint wire jobs. A stalker and a closer made up the two route winners, and patient runners fared best on the grass.

James Graham and Eddie Martin Jr. both booted home a pair.

Cya Later Bert stayed close enough to inside speedster Unexpected Valor in the 7th, and the heavy chalk wore down my best bet by a 1/2 length. The winner deserved to score at the speed friendly six furlong distance. Watch the replay here.

Candy Delicious was always traveling well and appeared home free in the grassy 8th, but Red Moon Cat (Graham-Keen) made a determined run and cost me the late pick four. My top was clearly 2nd best and should graduate on the weeds in short order. Watch the replay here.

2009 Louisiana Derby winner Friesan Fire returns to action in today's 8th race at Fair Grounds

Another big day on the analysis front. I got home tops Mr Winthrop ($35), Celestial Show ($14.60), and Rodeo Miss ($9). I also successfully tabbed the 1st race exacta ($121.40), the $273.60 early double, the 4th race exacta ($26), and the 5th race trifecta ($114.80).

Pick 6 was hit to the tune of $7,154.80.

Fair Grounds Preview – Dec 3rd

A 9-race program will be run at the Fair Grounds on Thursday, and a new month begins a 5-day (Thurs-Mon) schedule, with the exception of Christmas week. The weather is expected to be partly cloudy with highs in the 50’s.

The highlight of the Thursday card is the return of 2009 Louisiana Derby winner Friesan Fire. He is now under the care of Steve Asmussen and has Gulfstream Park’s Donn Handicap on his radar screen. Check out his Horse Racing Nation profile page here.

My daily full cards from Fair Grounds are available through Today’s Racing Digest (free sign up), and I will be posting a daily free pick on their site as well. Click here to view my Thursday free selection (6th race) from Fair Grounds.

Daily results and video from Fair Grounds can be found here.

For daily free picks and racing news, visit HorseRacingNation.

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Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

No bias surprises on day two. Early-pressing speed strong in sprints. Turf course favored stalkers and closers.

Day two belonged to Shane Sellers and Steve Asmussen. They teamed up for a hat trick and won the Pontalba with Right To Rule.

The other juvenile stakes race on the card was the Old Hickory, and Comedero lead the field on a merry chase after the defection of Western Smoke.

Got three tops home on Saturday. Had a bit of a frustrating day as I finished 2-3 in a pair of my turf best bets.

Fair Grounds Preview – Nov 8th

A 10-race program will be run at the Fair Grounds on Sunday, and a pair of turf sprints and an allowance turf route are on tap. The skies are expected to be mostly cloudy with highs in the 70’s.

Belend is favored to capture the first turf sprint for Tom Amoss, and Turtle Creek Babe is the one to down in the 9th. The often troubled  Say The Word is the fav in the turf route.

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 Sunday free selection from Fair Grounds.

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The feature race in New Orleans is the $60k Blushing K. D. Stakes for fillies and mares traveling a mile and a sixteenth on the turf. Much Obliged is the favorite, and she was only a head behind ‘08 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf winner Forever Together at Woodbine last time. Note that the latter goes for a Cup repeat later today.

Consistent mare Love To Tell is also a contender in the Blushing K. D. The pace should be lively with Ruling Class, Martin’s Bay, and Sweet Lemonade showing the way. Stalkers and closers fare well over the local weeds.

Steve Asmussen trainee Scenery Change owns the right off the pace style, and her form is darkened because she has not gotten any pace help recently. She rallied for the place versus optional claiming company in her lone local turf outing.

Category Seven always runs her race with exacta finishes in all 11 starts this year.

In the end, Much Obliged is the one to beat, with Scenery Change and Category Seven offering more value.

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 Friday free selection from Fair Grounds.

I’ll be back later to recap opening day and preview the Nov 7th card.

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

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Soul Warrior, who scratched out of the Pennsylvania Derby on Labor Day because of a temperature, has been installed as the 2-1 morning line favorite. The Steve Asmussen trainee has been part of the exacta in three straight and defeated Ky Derby winner Mine That Bird in the West Virginia Derby last time.

UAE Derby winner Regal Ransom is probably the one to catch. Godolphin trainee is working well for his first start since attending the pace and finishing 8th of 19 in the Kentucky Derby.

Super Derby post position draw

Blame earned the best last race speed rating in the Curlin Stakes at the Spa, and runner-up Gone Astray came back to romp in the aforementioned Penn Derby. Barn won this race last year with My Pal Charlie.

Massone exits a confidence boosting optional claiming turf win at Del Mar for Ron McAnally, and the place finisher was a next out winner. He has placed in multiple graded events including Keeneland’s Blue Grass. Garrett Gomez has the call.

Super Derby Prelude winner Uno Mas, also trained by Steve Asmussen, is listed at 8-1 on the line. He earned his first stakes win last time and will be finishing.

Red Lead owns fine early-pressing speed and drew the rail. ‘Cisco Torres hops aboard, and he should be coming to a peak effort. Note that he finished less than a length behind Soul Warrior in June.

Electric Alphabet rounds out the field, and he is on the upswing for Cecil Borel. Leading rider Don Simington rode him to a place finish in the Prelude.

2009 Super Derby – Louisiana Downs Race 11 - Sat. Sept 19th

1. Red Lead (15-1) – Francisco Torres

2. Soul Warrior (2-1) – John Velazquez

3. Massone (4-1) – Garrett Gomez

4. Regal Ransom (5-2) – Richard Migliore

5. Blame (7-2) – Jamie Theriot

6. Uno Mas (8-1) – Shane Sellers

7. Electric Alphabet (15-1) – Don Simington

Image: Stacy Edwards

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

Soul Warrior, who scratched out of the Penn Derby on Labor Day because of a temperature, has recovered and is the likely Super Derby favorite. The Steve Asmussen trainee was last seen downing Ky Derby winner Mine That Bird in the West Virginia Derby. John Velazquez has the mount.

Regal Ransom in the '09 Ky Derby

UAE Derby hero Regal Ransom is probably the one to catch. Godolphin colorbearer was last seen attending the pace and finishing 8th of 19 in the Run for the Roses.

Blame is an interesting entrant for Al Stall Jr., who captured this event last year with My Pal Charlie. Late bloomer won the Curlin Stakes at the Spa last time, and runner-up Gone Astray came back to romp in the aforementioned Penn Derby.

Massone is invading from SoCal for Ron McAnally, and he has placed in multiple graded events. He exits a sharp tally in an optional claiming turf affair, and Garrett Gomez has the call.

The top three from the Super Derby Prelude are expected to come back for more, including winner and Soul Warrior’s stablemate Uno Mas. The improving Electric Alphabet is a live longshot for Cecil Borel, and show finisher Red Lead has hit the board in three straight stakes races. Francisco Torres is scheduled to ride the latter.

Sumo is not 100% to go on Saturday, but he would be a major top three player should he opt for this spot. The Graham Motion trainee was last seen winning the Pleasant Colony Stakes at the Spa.

I will be back tomorrow with program numbers and morning line odds.

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The former was forced to miss the Travers following minor throat surgery, and the latter will probably shoot for the Jockey Club Gold Cup after a sharp win in the Travers (G1).

We have about seven or eight seriously looking at our event, and that list begins with the Super Derby Prelude top three Uno Mas, Electric Alphabet, and Red Lead.

Uno Mas in Super Derby Prelude post parade

Uno Mas, trained by Steve Asmussen, rallied from off the pace to get the job done in an exciting 3-horse photo in the Prelude. He had been a minor player in the stakes ranks before that and could be ready for the next level following his confidence boosting score.

Electric Alphabet is campaigned by Cecil Borel, and he jumped right into stakes action in the Prelude after breaking his maiden at Churchill. Calvin Borel rode him in all starts before leading rider at Louisiana Downs Don Simington took over the riding duties last time. Would be cool to see him reunite with Calvin.

Red Lead has been pointing to the Super Derby for quite some time, and he received a fine prep in the Prelude. He owns early/pressing speed and should move forward on the 19th.

Blame is a late blooming colt for Al Stall Jr., who saddled last year’s Super Derby winner My Pal Charlie. He was last seen winning the Curlin Stakes at Saratoga.

Duke of Mischief dusted Red Lead and Uno Mas in the Iowa Derby, and he was last seen finishing 5th behind Rachel Alexandra in the Haskell.

Massone is expected to invade from Southern California for Ron McAnally. Garrett Gomez has the call, and he exits a sharp optional claiming turf tally at Del Mar. He was 3rd in the Blue Grass (G1) in April.

Regal Ransom would be an interesting speed threat should he opt for the Super Derby. The Godolphin colorbearer won the UAE Derby in Dubai earlier this year, and he was part of the pace before weakening to 8th in the Kentucky Derby.

Sumo was a sharp stalk and pounce winner of the Pleasant Colony Stakes at the Spa on Aug. 26th. He showed his quality earlier this year splitting General Quarters and Musket Man in a graded event at Tampa Bay.

$1,000 Regular Nominations for the Super Derby close on September 5th, and I’ll be back next week to update the possible field.

Image: Stacy Edwards

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

He returned to dust his Amsterdam (G3) foes in track record time earlier this month, and his most recent Travers work was a sharp six furlongs in 1:13 at the Spa on August 16th. He will work again next Sunday, and the ten furlong Travers Stakes will be run at Saratoga on August 29th.

Quality Road sharp in victory!

In other Travers news, Rachel Alexandra and stablemate Kensei will work at Saratoga on August 17th, and a decision on where they go next will be determined later in the week.

Preakness winner Rachel Alexandra was last seen beating males again in the Haskell Stakes, but she has never faced a pace foe as talented as Quality Road, and it will be an interesting challenge to say the least should she opt for the midsummer Derby.

Kensei has burst onto the three-year-old scene with victories in the Dwyer and Jim Dandy, and Steve Asmussen will keep his dynamic duo apart. There are plenty of options for both, including the Pennsylvania Derby and Woodward Stakes.

Belmont hero and Haskell runner-up Summer Bird has had mixed results at the Spa, and his next work is crucial in determining his contender status.

Big Drama, runner-up in the West Virginia Derby, will cut back to an extended sprint in his next start. He recently went :47 and change at Monmouth for an expected start in the King’s Bishop on August 29th.

Haskell show finisher Munnings may also show up in the King’s Bishop, and the seven furlong specialist should love the cut back in distance.

On the Super Derby front, Asmussen second stringer Uno Mas finally found stakes glory in the Super Derby Prelude at Louisiana Downs on August 15th. Recent Churchill maiden winner Electric Alphabet was part of the three-horse photo, along with Iowa Derby show finisher Red Lead.

All three are expected to return for the Grade 2 Super Derby on September 19th, along with Iowa Derby winner Duke Of Mischief and recent Curlin stakes hero Blame. Al Stall Jr. trains the latter, and note that he won the ‘08 Super Derby with My Pal Charlie.

I will be back tomorrow with a Super Derby Prelude Day recap complete with photos.

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