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

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 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 (race 4-9) carryover of $5,269.

Weather: PM showers (40% chance). High 68.

Race 1: Misplaced (9-2) was nabbed out of her last by 26% claiming artist Tom Amoss, and the place finisher returned to score. She could sit the garden spot trip behind Glitter’s Forum and Time For Etbauer.

Race 3: My racingonthenet free selection of the day.

Race 5: Why Now (9-2) sports the best overall pace figs and might get brave if able to shake loose at a mile and forty yards. The dropper is bred to route on dam side, and Lanerie is 1-3 with this barn here.

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

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 the shelf, and he has a shot to wire these on the stretchout. I played him a few times at Louisiana Downs, and the 0-8 gelding has a hint of talent.

Race 6: My MySpace free selection of the day.

Race 8: What About It Brud (6-1) earned best last out speed rating in sharp flat mile wire job on Jan 11th. Merrill Scherer is 18% with his recent graduates tackling winners for the first time, and a profitable 20% route/sprint.

What About It Brud – Jan 11th Fair Grounds replay

Race 9: My racingonthenet free selection of the day.

Photo Credit: newscom.com

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

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.

Broad Quality – Jan 1st Fair Grounds replay

Race 7: Seaview (6-1) earned best last race speed rating in 4th place finish on the main at a flat mile. He switches surfaces and cuts back in distance, and Brian Hernandez Jr. seemingly chose this one over Tom Amoss contender Cya Later Bert (4-1).

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

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.

Race 7: Man Named Sue (8-1) ran a winning race from post 11 versus similar local turfers last time. Albarado hops aboard in 3rd race off a layoff.

Man Named Sue – Dec 18th Fair Grounds replay
Race 9: Say The Word (6-1) won his local turf bow at the unusual 7.5f distance, and clear place finisher Cajun Sky came back to score. Albarado/Morris Nicks 43% together. Ordinary Newman (3-1) earned an improved speed rating for new trainer Tom Amoss last time. Sam He Be (6-1) earned an above par speed rating in local claiming dirt win last time. Michelle Lovell a profitable 16% dirt/turf.

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

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 the stakes ranks shortly.

Solid turf win for heavy fav Points of Grace in the 8th.

The ageless King of Speed (Mena-Calhoun) kicked off his 10yo campaign with a sharp optional claiming tally (race 9).

Chalky Pick 6 paid $833.00. For the record, I played a fun $2 ticket and hit 5, missing the 6th race with racingonthenet free pick Broad Quality (3rd).

Friday (1-2-09) Fair Grounds preview

Friday’s 10-race card includes a trio of turf races. The 9th and feature race is an optional claiming turf sprint, and the 3-1 fav Cya Later Bert (Graham-Amoss) was a good 2nd as my top choice versus similar local foes last time.

Weather: Partly cloudy. High 75.

Race 1: Easyfarthislady (9-2) ran into a repeater while experiencing a wide trip last time. She goes outside to inside 2nd off a layoff, and note that Gonzalez/Calhoun teamed up to win yesterday’s opener.

Race 5: Silk Stream (4-1) is out of 14% 1st grass sire Macabe, and dam has tossed a pair of turf winners. Destiny Bound (7-2) ran well in turf sprint bow and has the pedigree to handle a flat mile. Mouton is 21% with 2nd timers.

Race 7: Nereus (5-2) exits an above par off the turf wire job, and the 2-time turf winner looms the controlling speed for Theriot/Autrey. Winyah (5-1) dives in class following a 226 day hiatus. He will be the first to attack should Nereus stumble.

Nereus – Dec 12th Fair Grounds replay

Race 8: I’ve been following Cocktail Clarence since his good looking maiden tally at Louisiana Downs in August. He ran well (blinkers on) in a state bred stakes event here last time.

Cocktail Clarence Dec 13th Fair Grounds replay

Race 10: My racingonthenet free selection of the day.

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

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 6 (races 5-10) carryover of $5,191.60.

Weather: Scattered thunderstorms (50% chance). High 63.

Race 4: Invisible Lee (5-1) dons the hood and drops in class, and note that he ran his best three races in blinkers earlier this year. He lands a better post and sports a strong bullet for this. Stidham is 21% in the claiming ranks. Flying Zombo (5-2) rallied for the place in a local entry level turfer (blinkers on) last time. The well spotted colt has the 41% Graham/Amoss team in his corner.

Flying Zombo youtube replay

Race 6: Eightonine Belle (8-1) stalked and weakened while taking action in her turf sprint bow. James Hodges is 22% with 2nd timers, and the well bred miss (Mizzen Mast-Lord At War) deserves another chance on turf.

Eightonine Belle – Dec 4th replay

Race 9: I was fond of a few of these at Louisiana Downs, including Sarah’s Best Day (6-1), Sister Ticket (6-1), and Awesome Amazon (3-1).

Post from: Thoroughbred Fever

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 the 8th. Blackberry Road made a strong wide bid around the far turn, but the winner had plenty left in reserve.

Sharp win by Paul McGee 2nd timer Greer Lynn in the finale.

Down the backstretch at Fair Grounds

Friday (12-19-08) Fair Grounds preview

Friday’s 11-race card includes a Pick 6 (races 6-11) carryover of $24,692.

Weather: AM clouds/PM sun. High 76.

Race 3: Idseeyouinhouston (9-2) continues to take serious action despite 0-25 record. He’s back in the state bred special weight ranks and should be used underneath if at all. Four Eyed Fred (7-2) was one I was following at Louisiana Downs. 0-10 colt needed his last (traffic late) and could show more early interest. Alligator Bayou (3-1) adds blinkers/Albarado and has plenty of upside as a 2nd timer. He was 6th of 12 as the fav on Nov 23rd.

Race 4: Gerdin (3-1) cuts back in distance off a layoff. Tom Amoss is 41% with horses running in a claiming race for the first time.

Race 6: Pick 6 starts here with aforementioned carryover of $24,692. Friendnhighplaces (10-1) ran into subsequent allowance winner Uno Mas in a MSW event last time (youtube replay below). Ronny Werner is 23% 1st time maiden claiming, and this one looms a pace factor at the very least under Jamie Theriot.

Race 8: My racingonthenet free selection of the day.

Race 9: My MySpace free selection of the day.

Photo Credit: Newscom

Uno Mas maiden win on YouTube

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