1. Hotep – Jockey Patrick Husbands for trainer Mark Frostad. Sam-Son Farms runner carries 122 lbs. and is listed at 30-1 in the morning line. Broke maiden from rail at Woodbine but best race came here in a N1X optional claimer for $50K. Just plain beat in the Risen Star and Albarado jumps ship.
2. Mission Impazible — Jockey Rajiv Maragh for trainer Todd Pletcher. Twin Creeks Racing Stable runner carries 122 lbs. and is listed at 8-1 in the morning line. Exits the Southwest and gets a new rider. One of Pletcher’s others.
3. Fly Down — Jockey Jose Lezcano for trainer Nick Zito Richard C. Pell runner carries 122 and listed at 8-1. Beat just four others in last when rallying at today’s distance. Earned 90 Beyer points and is another that may show up late on the road home for Zito. Prepared almost three months for the last win and it paid off. Distance isn’t a problem but don’t think he’s mature enough yet. Right?
4. The Program Jockey Corey Nakatani for trainer Bob Baffert. Thoroughbred Legends Racing Stable runner carries 122 and listed at 10-1. Gets Nakatani for this as he looks for a chance to ride in the derby and win it. First time away from the plastic strips on the West Coast and like the surface switch. Has tactical speed but Nakatani hasn’t had much success when called on by Baffert. Not today.
5. A Little Warm Jockey David Cohen for trainer Tony Dutrow. Edward P. Evans runner carries 122 and listed at 4-1. Things are gonna get ‘a little warmer’ for this guy in his first time beyond 7/8′s around two turns Rolled home in sloppy Spectacular Bid at GP but Rose would be here if he was worthy.
6. Ron the Greek Jockey James Graham for trainer Tom Amoss. Jack T. Hammer runner carries 122 and listed at 6-1. Didn’t get the fast pace he got in the LeComte and won’t get it here. It’ll be more of the same pace that was in the Risen Star. He wasn’t able to close the deal then and don’t look for him to do it today.
7. Discreetly Mine Jockey Javier Castellano for trainer Todd Pletcher. E. Paul Robsham Stables runner carries 122 and listed at 7-2. Will be the pacesetter again today and have to think the track will play speed based on yesterday’s performance by Quiet Temper. Should have no problems getting distance.
8. Island Soul Jockey Robby Albarado for trainer Steve Asmussen. Stonestreet Stables runner carries 122 and listed at 20-1. Asmussen runner is another who’s coming into his own late in the derby prep cycle. Runner may show up late on the scene.
9. Stay Put Jockey Jamie Theriot for trainer Steve Margolis. Richard, Bertram & Elaine Klein runner carries 122 and listed at 10-1. Has no speed so will be closing from downtown along with a few others in here. Looks like he will love the extra ground today and even more so if he can get to the Derby. He’s on the short list of some of the handicappers at KentuckyDerby.com. Interesting.
10. Wow Wow Wow Jockey John Jacinto for trainer D. Wayne Lukas.Marylou Whitney Stables runner carries 122 and listed at 30-1. This is where the pressure for Discreetly Mine will come from. Horse broke maiden here on lead every jump with Jacinto and that’s the only way to run him. Lukas tried that in Gotham but it wasn’t his surface. He’ll give the favorite a run for his money in here but for how long?
11. Mister Marti Gras Jockey Shaun Bridgmohan for trainer Neil Pessin. Lothenbach Stables runner carries 122 and listed at 30-1. Everyone wants a crack at the Derby and this horse finished in a hurry last time breaking maiden. Can’t see it but does attract Bridgmohan.
12. Backtrack Jockey Shane Sellers for trainer Gary Scherer. Al & Bill Ulwelling runner carries 122 and listed at 30-1. Another going long for the first time and wonder what the strategy will be from way out here. Son of Grand Slam so should have tactical speed but from out here?
13. Drosselmeyer — Jockey Kent Desormeaux rides for trainer Bill Mott. WinStar Farm runner carries 122 lbs. and is listed at 5-1 in the morning line. Had the outside hole against eight others going a mile at CD when breaking maiden. Desormeaux will have him a little closer today behind the two front runners.
Selections: 13 – 7 – 9 – 10
Fair Grounds Oaks
G2 $300K
1 1/16 miles
Weather forecast for New Orleans: Clear skies tomorrow.
#1 Quiet Temper — Gets the dream rail spot again for this and look for her to do the same type of running only this time she has company from the outside. Her numbers are modest and she has distance problems already. Don’t think she can be rated but if they do try that puts Champagne d’Oro on the lead by herself.
#2 Sheer Beauty — Looks like a mudder and the forecast is clear. Speedy type has versatility but look for Graham to take back and make one run.
#3 Seeking the Title — Desormeaux called in to give his prognostication of this filly after she drew off by six to break her maiden here going 1 mile 40 yards beating Brickyard Helen who came back to win. Good enough to compete but not to win.
#4 Mambo Fever — Ships in and adds blinkers. Exits Davona Dale where Bickersons quality was revealed.
#5 Camille’s Appeal – Asmussen runner broke maiden at Delaware on a wet surface and would appreciate a ran dance. Biggest claim to fame was trying Adirondack at Saratoga where she checked at break. Negatives aside it is Asmussen and Bridgmohan. Not likely.
#6 Visavis — Expect they try to get some wind in this gal and look for her to be close by proxy. First time long.
#7 The Rumor’s True — Has a win over the strip which is always a plus. State bred has been the menu for Shezacrazygirl a couple of times already. Not likely.
#8 Jody’s Slew — Likely to go off much lower then 5 to 1 opening line. Beat the listed second choice, Quiet Temper, closing and will likely get a quicker pace in here to close into. Exits key race from which Devil May Care rolled in the Bonnie Miss.
#9 Shezacrazygirl — P. Val for Al Stall and gotta believe that he’s finally getting some payback for his more professional approach to racing. This gal is Louisiana bred but Stall has been around these parts for a long time. This horse has three wins and earned decent money including her maiden victory over the ‘meadowsands’ One run type can upset with a big late move.
#10 Champagne d’Oro — Love the two fast works since last race and look for this one to go from the ten hole no matter who’s in here. Jacinto is confident at the moment and will put this horse into the race from the break. How far can she go? We’ll find out.
#11 Ailalea — This is a daughter of Pulpit — who hasn’t been a favorite stallion of ours until IceBox won the Florida Derby in come from behind fashion against a modest pace. Fourth different rider for this gal who has already beaten two other runners in here.
Selections: 8-1-10-9
Five and a half on the grass at the Grounds was never one of our favorites. However, it is tomorrow’s Race of the Day.
Fair Grounds
Race 9 5 1/2 Turf
Alw 41000N1X
Purse $41K
Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra leaving gate number two and the eventual winner, Zardana, breaking from gate three.
#1 Phosphorescent — A recent winner at today’s distance for a restricted tag of $30K has just two winners including his maiden victory at CD with Albarado up. Second off a layoff could mean a BOUNCE is in order but have to think otherwise and that they may have found a home on the lawn for this young colt. Lookout!
#2 Steve’s Star — This one’s maiden victory over the FG lawn last season at a mile was nice. They put him away until the fall Churchill meet and he didn’t show up. Came back to life last month in a rained off the grass allowance race which had to be a gimme. Races have been 8f or more so will be deep and can’t see him getting up.
#3 Simple Kind of Man — Gotta believe John Jacinto has gained a lot of respect reeling off two consecutive days of winners at Fair Grounds a couple of weeks back. He’s the fifth different rider in as many races and gotta believe he’ll be instructed to GO from the break. J/T combo is strong and it’s not like he’s just picking the mount up because Theriot chose elsewhere. Third off the layoff and looks poised and price will be nice considering he’s still NW2 lifetime.
#4 Outfitter — On a two race win streak for the A-Team. Broke maiden on grass at Remington last year with the other brother. Holds HLRB but is still eligible for NW4 lifetime although don’t see him needing to find a NW4 spot to break the claiming ranks. Will be gunning from the break and may just be quick enough if Jacinto doesn’t get away clean.
#5 Street Cruiser Too — There’s more speedy types in here then it looks on paper. This one broke maider at home in Iowa on a sloppy track on the lead all the way. Started career at Delta Downs against Devilish Berti.
#6 Peruvian Hero — The other Roman’s horse in here but can’t see how he’d be that effective in here. Would think he might like the lawn at distances 7f to 1 mile. Already tried to lose him once.
#7 Michael’s Trifecta — Owns two wins at the distance on the lawn but none at FG. Lanerie has ridden exceptionally well the past few seasons and continues to improve but Cohn cold to date. Six time winner appears to have been knocked out by his ‘all out’ effort to win here beating Devilish Bertie at long odds. Then wheeled right back and dropped fourteen Beyer points against the same oponent. Pass.
#8 Devilish Berti — 1 for 1 on the lawn in an all out effort to score the second win for trainer Autrey. Sellers is riding like a kid again and we mean that in a good way. Broke his maiden for $50K at CD beating Lone Cypress.
#9 Perfect Easter — Patrick Valenzuela for Nicks and they’re adding blinkers for this. Horse is NW2 lifetime against multiple winners and Albarado jumps ship to the rail horse. Love it when they have lots of choices it means someone is going to pick the wrong mount. Maybe a slice.
#10 Evacuation Route – Hard to say this but it appears that 5 1/2 may be too far for this horse. Graham will have to time him just right after waiting to make one run. Has distance stamina but Beyer points are lower then most other in here and is 0/3 at FG. Maybe deep tickets.
#11 Lone Cypress — Asmussen tried these conditions in last after running $40K down to $30K open company claimers. Not fast enough.
#12 Capt Obvious — Jock rode the rail horse in his last but ends up here. Have to think this wasn’t his first choice but stranger things. Has no speed to go so will be hung out wide the whole time and can’t see him doing much.
Selections: 1 – 3 – 4 - 8
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
