Fair Grounds – Sunday, February 24, 2019
Race 1: 3-5-1
With many returning out of the same race 3 wks. Ago – there is no reason to believe Pugilist will not lead them home again. Comes right back off a good second, never off the board on the grass – that continue with a win today. Going with the new, fresh face for the place – Rake It Up’s speed may actually last longer going a route – less pressure – will be tough to catch. Heavens Whisper comes off a third in the class, first out for Asmussen may move her up.
Race 2: 3-2-5
Coming off a mini vacation and a strong second with richer, Andthebandplayedon looks formidable here. Work pattern does have a suspicious 3 week gap, but still looks best of these. Tortuga Rio – another coming off a vacation – however hers dates back to October. The race then at Keeneland would likely win this, should be competitive for non-descript connection. Blondie Lox Babe makes first start with winners (however limited) like the speed figure improvement in last, another move forward possible?
Race 3: 5-4-2
Current form carries both Stuck in Vegas and Payday Too past the others in here. Stuck in Vegas comes back off the late January win – the couple of extra weeks makes a difference. Payday Too wheeled back off the January race, won and is back for her 3rd out in 5 weeks. Toss the grass starts and Zippy could be tough under Geroux.
Race 4: 3-6-7
Hard to look past 8 wins (several at the level) in 15 grass starts – so Havinfunyet looks to get back to her winning ways off a 4th with much tougher. Quinn Murphy every race on the page was against tougher, take the drop for crafty barn in first out of the year, first at FG. Consistent works. Should be tough. Big Blue Magic, another on the drop, should be strongest of pace types, back on grass off big ‘rained off’ win.
Race 5: 5-1-6
Alizee off a series of middle moves, then flattening out, Graham times the move for the win today. Return to dirt makes the difference for Amoss barn. Twirling Liz, based on money taken, was well meant in first two starts, should improve quite a bit off the last, rail post enhances speed play (no losing ground today). If the rail is good in the early races, watch out. Enchanted Emma – curious what prompted the first out claim – breeding? Connections? – learn more today. Finished well in debut, step up in price is probably more illusion than significant.
Race 6: 6-1/1A-7
A victim of premature moves in his last couple, Carroll should know exactly what he has under him in Brerry. Moves up off last, and a couple of really nice works leading up to this. Candy Carlos turf record is not stellar, but should be tough in here, Irish Proud has a few starts on the page that make him competitive. Paternal Pride – needed last, ships in having run with better. Should be tough at the level.
Race 7: 7-2-1
Taking down an odds-on favorite alert! While Take Charge Chase looks to have these over a barrel. Has beaten most in here, and the firsters don’t look like world beaters we’ll go with Closing Up. Hasn’t finished behind the favorite, and should enjoy the return to dirt. A repeat of the debut may be enough. Hard to go past Take Charge Chase – perhaps another 2nd in the offing. Brush With Caution may try to steal this from the rail, displayed improved speed in last.
Race 8: 4-8-9
Toughest race on the card, with some fashionably bred firsters, improving types, etc. Going with a firster in Pistoleiro – Asmussen has put a series of 5 furlong drills in him, with a couple that jump off the page. Breeding suggests distance and grass. Firewater Jack – positive jock switch, think Hernandez is patient, saves some ground into the turn, stalks, finishes. Alltheway to Cairo, an expensive first crop yearling, excellent connections, another working steadily for debut.
Race 9: 5-7-4
Card closes with the requisite 5K claimer, Absolut Neworleans – what’s in a name?….comes off a good finish in the best race of these, looks formidable off the mini layoff. Grand Argument gets points for consistency, should be near at the finish again. Ty C has hit the board in every try at the level – will again.