After a dark Sunday, Fair Grounds is back in the Sunday mix. Today’s card is a mix of a few competitive optional claimers book ended by 5K claimers. Hoping the weather holds out so races stay on the grass (always more competitive, more interesting betting prospects).
Race 1: 2-7-4
Too many starts at the NW2L lifetime level is worrisome, McIlhenny wheels right back off the maiden win, in the appropriate class, and thinking here is the light bulb has gone off! Flying Rosie comes off a same class second that will have her going favored again, 6 weeks between starts secong again. Any Ole Thing – consistent at the level, likes pieces, gets another.
Race 2: 5-3-7
Tobacco Road, a stakes winning (and stakes placed) son of Quality Road (who’s hotter right now?) dropping in for the tag to be able to compete. Asmussen, Lanerie – wins. Soap Bubble hasn’t run a bad one, Twirling Candy’s like the grass, couple of nice works between starts. Philosophy has the breeding, ½ a to a couple of multiple stakes winners, tries to speed pop the field.
Race 3: 4-8-7
Silver Wing Jim a stab in the dark, based on the lack of form of those that have started. Come Back Wilson will be pounded at the windows, but how can he be trusted at odds-on? Though last out second really does jump off the page. Cheap Shot looks to be improving. Last was best yet, when getting in trouble.
Race 4: 5-4-2
Interesting MdSpWt on the grass – as several look to be improving, and come out of the same race, or very similarly run races. After showing speed in the debut, and in works, Good Business’ first turf try was compromised by a bad bump at the break – strategy gone poof! – Not beaten badly by several of these, price will be right and Proctor is due for a wakeup. Artistic Quality – placed in a faster mile in November, time away shouldn’t be an issue, runs well off breaks. Orageuse finished 3 lengths in front of the top pick in last – meaning 6 horses were clustered within 3 lengths…never good sign when speaking to the quality of the race. Sunniva from the super-tough Stidham barn – will also be in the thick of if off last.
Race 5: 2-6-1
Telekinesis – needed last, nice work in between, Geroux stays, should lead the entire way. Flat Lucky will be ridden a little more conservatively early by Lanerie – should close for the place. Either ‘one’ is capable of completing the tri – both are consistent, hard triers. Making a Marc certainly shows up every time.
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Race 6: 8-9-11
A real marathon carded here, Yeowzer has the right connections Broberg/Hernandez, solid grass form, looks to be able to lay close (often necessary in marathons) should pounce first and get there. Baires Boy, another who prefers turf, should also be laying close or may find himself on the lead, should be game. Senor Blanco – has enough past races to put him in this. Will be ridden conservatively and get a piece.
Race 7: 4-6-2
Salt Bae – in career form, loves this track (never out of the exacta) can lead, can sit – gets points for versatility. Sterling Miss, from the always formidable Amoss barn, is another who loves the track, comes in off big win and mini layoff (without missing a work). Repeat of last makes her tough. Sultry picks a tough spot for return. Works are consistently fast, six furlongs is perhaps short for her – thinking this looks like a prep for longer. Should run well, though.
Race 8: 7-2-3
Let’s jump on a price here, Most Mischief – looked well meant in rough trip in a turf sprint in last. Think that out has him sitting close, and then finishing. Like the works between for crafty barn. Ian Glass will be tough in 2nd off mini freshening. First race back helped with conditioning, work since outstanding. Landofthepharoahs may go favored here, gets points for consistency, but will be part of a contested pace, and that may cost late.
Race 9: 7-6-4
Ending the day with $5K claimers – taking a stab with Lodi Street – 2nd off layoff, somewhat consistent and should be ready for an improved effort off the last. Moonlighting Majic may be the speed of the speed, filly is undefeated on the track, will go, go, go from the start. Cha Mono – absolutely get points for the consistency often on board, doesn’t often win. 6 for 7 in the money over the track (no wins!).