FAIR GROUNDS NOTEBOOK
JANUARY 5
by Brian P. Turner
A pair of listed stakes races highlighted the holiday weekend of racing at
Fair Grounds, which kicked off on New Year’s eve with the $60,000 Louisiana H.
for three-year-olds and upward going 1 1/16 miles on the main track. The Neil
Howard-trained Alumni Hall (A. P. Indy) was sent off as the lukewarm 2.30-1
favorite and, after stalking the pace early, looked prepared to make a serious
closing move in the stretch drive but began to tire late and settled for second.
In the end, the day belonged to GIGAWATT (Wild Again), who was allowed to
take an easy lead out of the gate while guiding the field through moderate early
fractions of :24 2/5 and :48 before opening up in the stretch drive to easily
cruise home 2 ¼ lengths in front of Alumni Hall. It was another 3 ¾-lengths back
to Kodema (Seeking The Gold) in third.
On Saturday, a mere field of four contested the $50,000 Thelma S. for newly
turned three-year-old fillies going six furlongs on the main track. The Steve
Asmussen-trained MORE MOONLIGHT (More Than Ready) was sent to the gate as the
favorite off of a solid third-place effort last out in the Valley Stream S. (G3)
at Aqueduct. The bay rewarded the chalk players by pressing the pace early
before wrestling away the lead in the stretch drive and pulling clear late to
hit the wire 3 ¼ lengths in front. Hot Storm (Stormy Atlantic) set the early
pace and fought gamely to the wire to pick up the place, 1 ¾ lengths clear of
Steal the Show (Cat Thief).
On the main track this week, horses on or near the pace held the advantage in
both sprint and route races. As for the turf, horses coming from off the pace
benefited whether they were going short or long.
Asmussen has begun to make his move in the trainer standings and is currently
tied with Tom Amoss as the pair has saddled 14 winners each. Dallas Stewart,
Wayne Catalano, and C. W. Bubba Cascio are next with eight apiece.
As for the jockeys, Robby Albarado is still maintaining a healthy lead over
the field as his 35 winners leaves him 10 ahead of Corey Lanerie in second.
Gerard Melancon has taken over the third spot in the standings with 20.
HORSES TO WATCH
Thursday (12/30)
2ND – BAENA (El Prado [Ire]) put in an outstanding effort in this maiden
special weight turf event by rallying from well back in the field and opening up
in the stretch drive to hit the wire six lengths clear of the field.
Friday (12/31)
8TH – AMERICA ALIVE (American Chance) closed with an incredible turn of foot
through the stretch to take this optional claiming grass affair by a head. The
three-year-old colt has never been out of the money in five trips over the lawn
including a solid third-place effort in the Transylvania S. (G3) at Keeneland
last April.
Saturday (01/01)
3RD – DEPUTY VILLA (Pancho Villa) was sandwiched hard between runners at the
start of the Bayou-bred maiden claiming event, leaving him trailing until the
field hit the stretch. From there, the chestnut gelding really began to move
with nice strides and closed well enough to finish a clear third. Deputy Villa
has been a victim of rough trips in both starts thus far at Fair Grounds and
could prove to be a threat at a square price if his racing luck ever improves.
4TH – MARKED DISTINCTION (Marked Tree) broke in sharply at the start of this
maiden claiming event, colliding hard with the runner to his inside. Jockey
Gerard Melancon quickly got him straightened out and he vied for the lead
throughout to finish second, a dwindling half-length behind the winner.
Sunday (01/02)
9TH – INDIAN PROSPECTOR (Cherokee Run) found the move to the barn of Tom
Amoss to be exactly what he needed to find his way back into the winner’s
circle. After stalking the pace early in this turf allowance event, the
four-year-old colt took over upon entering the stretch and easily cruised home 3
¼-lengths clear of the field.
Monday (01/03)
8TH – GOLD MARGARITA (Defrere) appeared to be sitting in a prime position to
make a move once the field hit the stretch drive of this six furlong optional
claiming affair but suddenly found herself with no room to make a move. Once the
jockey finally got her switched to the outside, he dropped his whip, but the
filly continued on to the wire, without the added enticement, to miss by three
parts of a length.
9TH – CAPE HOPE (Cape Town) returns to the Watch List after reeling off her
second grass victory in as many tries over the surface. After breaking her
maiden by six lengths last out, the three-year-old filly returned to easily
handle this optional claiming field by 6 ¼ lengths. The bay could prove to be
any sort.