Lost in the crush of the Breeders’ Cup frenzy was my final notes on the Louisiana Downs meet, which concluded on Oct 4th. Below is a belated wrap of the LAD season in words and pictures. Click on the name of each horse to view stakes replays.
Here are the horses that I voted for in the LAD meet champion categories…
Two Year Old: William’s Kitten – On the Super Derby undercard, the Michael Maker runner competed in the off the turf Sunday Silence Stakes. He was sitting at the back of the pack and unleashed an eye catching …read more

The much anticipated 85-day Fair Grounds meet kicks off on November 6th. Those who follow this blog know that I am the Louisiana Downs Track Handicapper, and just like last year I look forward to sharing my thoughts about the New Orleans oval as well.
One of the changes to the new meet is the Louisiana Derby. Formerly run at a mile and a sixteenth seven weeks prior to the Kentucky Derby, it will now be contested at nine furlongs five weeks before the first Saturday in May.
Exotic bettors should be happy to hear that a $1 Super High 5 will be offered on …read more

A horrific spill in the 9th and final race at Louisiana Downs on August 23rd has left a couple of riders out of action for several weeks.
The incident occurred near the far turn when Haran took a bad step and broke down under Pat Valenzuela. He was racing on the pace in the maiden turf route, and it set off a chain reaction as Get The Prize (Francisco Torres) fell over the stricken horse. Brazos Cat (Lonnie Meche), Invisible Force ( E J Perrodin), and Heat Pump (Rico Flores) also went down.
Haran had to be …read more

On Friday, it was jockey Francisco Torres , and trainer Pat Mouton pulled off the feat on Saturday.
Sunday, it was jockey Don Simington’s turn at a four-bagger. Who will win four at Louisiana Downs on Memorial Day…stay tuned!
Richard Eramia booted home a pair on Sunday. Pam Simpson saddled two winners on the card, and Simington rode both. Two wins for trainer Jerry Cart as well.

Monday’s 9-race card includes three grass races. We were off the turf the last two days, and we could be back on the green Monday if we stay rain free the next 18 …read more

It’s almost that time again. Seems like yesterday the meet ended. The Louisiana Downs meet kicks off on May 15th, and I am headed back to the Bayou State for my second season as Track Handicapper/TV Host.
Much going on in racing with the Preakness Stakes on May 16th, and the Belmont Stakes three weeks later.

Of course, I will be covering the Preakness heavily in this space. After all, it is run in my home state, and I have had much handicapping success in the 2nd jewel. Would love to see The Nile go to Baltimore. Love playing back …read more

Saturday (3-14-09) Fair Grounds recap

Sloppy track and yielding turf. Talented 3yo miss Rachel Alexandra was the only wire job winner on the day.
Four bagger for Robby Albarado. Hat trick for trainer Steve Asmussen, and Shaun Bridgmohan rode two. Jamie Theriot booted home a pair.
Everyone is buzzing about Friesan Fire’s romping win in the Louisiana Derby (G2), but it should be noted that filly Rachel Alexandra ran just as fast in her FG Oaks (G2) wire job, and she earned stronger pace figs.
Other highlights included Proudinsky’s repeat win in the grassy Mervyn Muniz Jr. Memorial Handicap (G2), …read more

Saturday’s $300k Rebel Stakes is the final local prep for the Arkansas Derby. The 8.5 furlong graded event has drawn a field of 9, and Old Fashioned is the 7-5 morning line choice.

The aforementioned Larry Jones (shown w/Wayne Lukas) trained fav is undefeated in four lifetime starts, and the $800k son of Unbridled’s Song owns fine early/pressing speed. I am not sure how much farther Old Fashioned wants to run, but he is effective at this distance and could easily make it five straight.
Wise Kid owns a strong pedigree (Lemon Drop Kid-Seeking The Gold), and he has won two …read more

Saturday’s $300k Tampa Bay Derby has drawn an interesting field of 11, and note that there have only been two wire jobs in 61 races conducted at 8.5f. Stalk and pounce types perform best, and I will look for value contenders with the right running style.
Musket Man won his 1st three sprint starts and was hardly disgraced in Sam Davis show finish (post 9) at this distance here last time. He projects a ground saving stalking trip at playable odds. He sports a pair of local bullets for this, and note that he defeated Sam Davis winner General Quarters …read more

The $200k San Felipe is the final major local prep for the Santa Anita Derby (April 4th), and the lone stakes winner (Pioneerof The Nile) looms a standout in the field of seven.

Pioneerof The Nile has won his last two graded synthetic routes at this distance (8.5f) since moving to the Bob Baffert barn, and today’s pilot Garrett Gomez is 2-2 with him. The son of Belmont Stakes winner Empire Maker does not have to win this as he has more than enough graded earnings to make it into the Derby starting gate, but the class of the field …read more

There are no less than four Saturday Derby preps on tap, and each day this week I will preview one, starting with the Louisiana Derby.

I liked Patena in the Lecomte, and he ran on nicely to land the place in his initial try over conventional dirt. My Derby future (pool 1) play was subsequently purchased by IEAH and is now trained by Rick Dutrow, the same connections that brought us Big Brown last year. Well bred $250k Keeneland sales grad drilled a bullet at the Gulf on March 9th and figures to fire a big shot off the layoff under …read more