Sunday (3-1-09) Fair Grounds recap
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: …read more

Sunday (2-2209) Fair Grounds recap
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% …read more

Saturday (1-31-09) Fair Grounds recap
Both surfaces seemed to play fair.
Hat trick for Jamie Theriot. Brian Hernandez Jr. booted home a pair. Morris Nicks saddled two winners on the day.
Turfiste (Theriot-Holthus) headed favored pacesetter Big Push in the 52nd running of the Black Gold Stakes for 3yo turf sprinters. Steve Asmussen returnee Unbridle’s Dream rallied from last after coming in at the break to finish best of the rest. He was my top, and I would consider playing him back next time.
Sunday (2-1-09) Fair Grounds preview
The 9-race Super Bowl Sunday card includes a Pick 6 …read more

Sunday (1-25-09) Fair Grounds recap
Edge to early/pressing types on the main. Stalkers/closers fared best on the turf.
Miguel Mena booted home a pair.
Get Rich Quick (Malcolm Pierce) gamely won the optional claiming turf feature, and he clearly likes this course/distance. Jazz Quest (Tom Amoss) was overbet and ended up an okay 4th in a much needed outing. He’ll be tighter next time.

Monday (1-26-09) Fair Grounds preview
Monday’s 10-race card includes a trio of interesting grass races.
Weather: Mostly cloudy. High 70.
Race 2: Snuck In Bayou (10-1) receives a rider upgrade to John Jacinto in 3rd race off …read more

Friday (1-23-09) Fair Grounds recap
Edge to early/pressing types on the main, and the turf course favored stalkers.
Hat trick for Jesus Castanon. Lonnie Meche booted home a pair. Theriot/Autrey teamed up for two wins, and Bret Calhoun saddled two winners on the card.

Saturday (1-24-09) Fair Grounds preview
Saturday’s 10-race card features the $60k Marie G. Krantz Memorial Handicap for grassy fillies and mares.
Weather: Few showers (30% chance). High 72.
Race 5: Broad Quality (6-1) cost me the Pick 6 in length defeat here last time. She reunites with PVal and could graduate at a hint of a price. …read more

Thursday (1-15-09) Fair Grounds recap
Four wire jobs on the main including three at a flat mile. The two turf races were taken by a stalker (5.5f sprint) and a closer (8.5f route).
Hat trick for James Graham. Shaun Bridgmohan and Brian Hernandez Jr. both booted home a pair.
Friday (1-16-09) Fair Grounds preview
Friday’s 10-race card includes four grass races. There is a Pick 6 carryover of $2,393.
Weather: Mostly sunny. High 48.
Race 3: Thundering Gallop (6-1) drops and moves back to the turf. Sam David Jr. is 19% dirt/turf, and she has landed the show in 3 of 4 turf outings. …read more

Thursday (1-1-09) Fair Grounds recap
Early/pressing types (2 wire jobs) fared best on the main, with stalkers winning more than their fair share. Stalkers and closers ruled the day on the turf once again.
Hat trick for jockey Miguel Mena, and Francisco Torres booted home a pair. A pair of turf wins for trainer Malcolm Pierce, and the aforementioned Mena rode both. Bret Calhoun saddled two winners on the card.
Talented Louisiana bred filly Warrior Maid (Larry Jones) was a sharp winner of the entry level 7th. She was making her 3rd career start and is likely headed back to …read more

Saturday (12-27-08) Fair Grounds recap
Edge to stalking types on the main track. Stalkers and closers fared best on the turf.
Kerwin Clark and John Jacinto both booted home a pair. Jamie Theriot/Cody Autrey teamed up for two more wins.
Stormy West (PVal-Mott) captured her 2nd stakes of the meet on Saturday. The Blushing K. D. on opening weekend was originally scheduled for turf, and today’s Furl Sail Handicap stayed on the weeds. Shytoe Lafeet was clearly 2nd best for Larry Jones.
Sunday (12-28-08) Fair Grounds preview
Sunday’s 10-race card includes a trio of grass races, and there is a Pick …read more

Thursday (12-18-08) Fair Grounds recap
Both surfaces seemed to play fair.
Briggy/Asmussen teamed up for a hat trick, and Theriot/Autrey struck twice together. Albarado and Lanerie both booted home a pair.
The promising Indygo Mountain was scratched at the gate (race 6). Larry Jones runner Friesan Fire ended up the heavy fav, and he was aggressive in blinkers, but he could not contain recent Amussen graduate Uno Mas. The top two were well clear of the rest, and expect to see both in the three-year-old stakes ranks at Fair Grounds next year.
Super Derby also-ran Stungbythestorm (Steve Asmussen) controlled proceedings throughout in …read more

Sunday (11-16-08) Fair Grounds recap
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. …read more