1st: 2-11-10
Interesting turf sprint to launch the Fair Grounds twilight card. The horses I like most have trainers with poor records at Fair Grounds, so caveat emptor. T’Cadeau showed good speed going two turns over the Fair Grounds turf course just 12 days ago. He’s in form and should finish with a flourish going shorter. About Our Dream won his only turf race, but it’s a little disconcerting that his other 26 races were all on dirt. Posse Dreamin was practically given away for $4000 at Delaware but has some back class.
2nd: 5-6-2
Will’s Pioneer may not have lived up to his original $500,000 price tag but he’s still a fast horse. New trainer Joe Sharp, a/k/a Mr. Rosie Napravnik, adds blinkers. The one to catch. Concord Fast will be closing fast. He was a vet scratch on November 1 but worked a sharp 4 furlongs just a week later. That shows the vet scratch was a minor issue. Riv is attempting the difficult jump from N1X to N2X. I avoid low-priced horses in such scenarios.
3rd: 1-6-5
Crocodile Jacques was part of a three-horse pace duel in his Delta debut. Speed on the rail today. Musical Man faced open company in Kentucky, now drops into Louisiana-breds. Izzy’s Baby Boy was gaining ground in his debut, but a five-furlong race doesn’t tell too much about how he’ll do around two turns.
4th: no opinion
5th: 6-4-3
Matapan was overmatched in her Kentucky races, drops into realistic spot today. Savvy Ally and Breezing Bye are eligible to improve in their second starts.
6th: no opinion
7th: no opinion
8th: no opinion
9th: 1-5
Most of these horses look like they want no part of a mile. Emily’s Pegasus negotiated two turns at Delta against better and while she wasn’t particularly close, at least we know she can do it. Nola Three Hundred also has a two-turn experience on the grass.
