The 62nd running of the $50,000 Mardi Gras H. is the Fat Tuesday feature at
Fair Grounds. Multiple stakes winners WARLEIGH (Lord At War [Arg]) and MR. SULU (Rail),
co-highweights at 118 pounds, are the leading contenders for the 7 1/2-furlong
grass event.
Warleigh, trained by Steve Asmussen, is the 7-2 morning-line favorite.
The chestnut will be making his first start since a seventh-place finish in the River City H. (G3) at Churchill Downs on November 21. Donnie Meche
rides.
Mr. Sulu finished a close third in his last attempt and
captured his two prior starts over this course. The Josie
Carroll trainee has seven wins overall on the Stall-Wilson course and will
be ridden by Eusebio Razo Jr.
SHILOH BOUND (Cat’s Career) is one-for-one at Fair Grounds and just missed in
his last start, an off-the-turf race at one mile. The Walter Binder Jr.
charge should command respect under leading
rider Robby Albarado. Binder won last year’s Mardi Gras with Majestic Thief
(Mahogany Hall).
The field, with riders and weights, from the rail out, consists of EXCESSIVE BEHAVIOR (In
Excess [Ire]), Jose Riquelme, 113; Mr. Sulu; Shiloh Bound, 115; SEA DUB (Sea
Hero), Larry Melancon, 115; KODEMA (Seeking the Gold), Jose Martinez Jr., 115;
Warleigh; CANDID GLEN (El Gran Senor), Elvis Perrodin, 117; STONE CAT (Storm
Cat), Eddie Martin Jr., 114; SOCIAL KING (King of Kings [Ire]), Lonnie Meche,
115; JUSTLIKEDAWG (Unaccounted For), Corey Lanerie, 117; RED LIGHTNING (Storm
Boot), Gerard Melancon, 113.