July 4th recap
Stalkers fared best on the main. Early/pressing types held the edge on the sod.
Richard Eramia and Sidney Lejeune both booted home a pair. Ramsey Zimmerman/Bret Calhoun teamed up for two wins on the card.
Decent day on the handicapping front with 4 tops getting the job done, including  pair of cold trifectas.
Category Seven looked good in the stakes quality optional claiming opener, and that was her 8th exacta finish in as many starts this year. Martin’s Bay gamely held the place over Tortuga Flats.
My best bet Coulter Stone landed the show in 4th.

July 5th preview
Sunday’s …read more

June 12th LAD recap
We were back on the weeds Friday, and early/pressing speed was frequently the name of the game on both surfaces.
I was off my handicapping game as none of my tops got the job done for the 2nd day in a row. Let’s hope this slump ends quickly.
Last year’s leading trainer Jorge Lara got off to a slow start, but he is beginning to heat up. He saddled a pair of winners, and hustling young apprentice Anna Roberts booted one home. That makes a trio of wins so far for the Roberts-Lara team.
Ramsey Zimmerman booted home …read more

Thursday (3-5-09) Fair Grounds recap
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 …read more

Monday (1-5-09) Fair Grounds recap
Sloppy track and off the turf. Main oval played fair.
Shaun Bridgmohan/Steve Asmussen teamed up for three wins on the day. Riding double for Pat Valenzuela, and Doug O’Neill saddled a pair of winners.
Handsome Fee (race 7) held on by a neck in a vintage PVal wire job. Salic Law was grinding away and finished well clear of the rest. It was deja vu all over again in the finale with President Elect.
Thursday (1-8-09) Fair Grounds preview
Thursday’s 10-race card includes a Pick 6 carryover of $5,910.
Weather: Mostly sunny. High …read more

Friday (12-12-08) Fair Grounds recap
Off the turf following Thursday’s winter event. Good main track played fair. Middle to outer posts best with wide moves around the far turn the frequent path to victory.
James Graham and Brian Hernandez Jr. both booted home a pair.
Arctic Jet ($198.60) helped create yet another Pick 6 carryover.
Churchill invader Precious Kiss (Jacinto/Mouton) was a sharp going away winner of the optional claiming 9th.
Saturday (12-13-08) Fair Grounds preview
Louisiana Champions Day comprises Saturday’s 11-race card and includes a trio of Quarter Horse stakes events to kick off the festivities.
Weather: Partly sunny. …read more