In typical New Orleans fashion opening day was “bombs away” as the second race winner, Monday Morning Rail beat the 1-2 shot racing on the lead every step of the way.
Under Chester Bonnet the winner broke on the lead and led them all the way around.

The Fair Grounds has traditionally been a speed favoring track early in the meeting.

Keep your eye on the speed and the rail this season.

Can’t Complain for Al Stall, Jr. and Curt Bourque look sharp for the newcomer. Shane Sellers is back after a long break from riding and wins the Pontalba with Right to Rule.

The first turf race of the meet was marred by a spill of “bugboy” Anna Roberts just as her mount, Kelly’s Premonition, was going up to the leader. It appeared that Diamante De Oro was just starting to bear out as Kelly’s Premonition approached and clipped heels causing Roberts to tumble to the turf.

Commadero was the winner of the two year old Stakes opener, the Old Hickory. Under James Graham he broke quickly in the short field and lead all the way while Shane Sellers couldn’t cause the winner to succumb to his pace pressure at throughout the stretch.

Jockey Anna Roberts can either quit or risk getting hurt. It appears she’s not quite ready to ride race horses as she was unseated coming out of the gate to close the days races. She entered the gate on the back of Ipoli but after the first step from the gate she was on the ground again.

Stay tuned to the Fair Grounds Report for more on bugboy, Anna Roberts