FAIR GROUNDS NOTEBOOK
FEBRUARY 27, 2009
by Steve Collison
Recap
Saturday: Although it isn’t impossible to win on the lead over this Fair
Grounds grass course, it does take a good horse and the right circumstances.
That’s what LOVE TO TELL (Stage Colony) had in her favor when switching styles
to surprise her rivals for a wire-to-wire win in the $125,000 Bayou H. Love to
Tell, who had pressed early pace in her victory in the Pago Hop S. here on
December 6, took the field through modest early fractions of :26.79 and :54.73.
She completed about a mile and an eighth over a firm Stall-Wilson turf course,
with the rail out 20 feet, in 1:56.48.
“She can come from off the pace or go to the lead,” said Burgess, “but when
you see a half-(mile time) of 54 you’d better be on the engine. When I saw that
split I said ‘Okay — we’re gone!'”
Love to Tell, with Justin Shepherd up, paid $17.60, $9 and $5.80 and
increased her career earnings to $214,173 with her fifth career win in 14
starts.
Monday: By sheer coincidence, ORTHDOX (Pulpit) broke sharply and cleanly to
make all the pace under jockey Jesus Castanon and captured the $44,000 turf
allowance feature for three-year-olds. Like Love to Tell on Saturday, he was
able to wire his field due mostly but not exclusively to the leisurely tempo he
was able to set.
Trained by John Glenney, who co-owns the colt with his wife Kim, Orthodox
increased his career earnings to $73,420 while winning for the second time in
six starts.
Track Surface
Throughout the week, this surface looked to be the model of consistency as
winners were coming from all over the track on the main surface. There’s always
the built in bias of the elongated stretch, but runners who deserve too can win
on the lead. As for the grass course, it has become very difficult for any
runner to win on the lead but that’s not entirely due to the course. It also has
a lot to do with the way the jockeys ride here at the Fair Grounds as they
prefer to wait when on the green which then becomes a self fulfilling prophecy.
Jockey Notes
As we head toward the climax of this Fair Grounds meet the jockey’s title
remains up for grabs and has actually become something to watch. Currently,
JAMIE THERIOT still leads ROBBY ALBARADO by two but the latter got off to a late
start and has been catching fire of late. Albarado also benefits from having an
abundance of ready stakes stars to ride and that will play a factor down the
stretch. However, JAMES GRAHAM is also within earshot of the top as he remains
just four wins off the pace. It will prove interesting to see the maneuvering
that goes on as agents jockey to get their riders on the best mounts.
Jamie Theriot: 63
Robby Albarado: 61
James Graham: 59
Brian Hernandez: 54
RECENT CLAIMS TO WATCH
Thursday (2/19)
8TH — TIDE RISING (Valid Expectations) came off the shelf to turn in a
deceptively solid effort while dropping down in class from the Michael Stidham
barn. Was claimed by trainer Donald Hecker, who may have nabbed a nice prospect
on the upswing.
Friday (2/20)
1ST — TRIPLE POINTS DAY (Storm Day) most trainers wouldn’t and shouldn’t
touch a horse dropping from the allowance ranks to this nickel level. However
Patrick Mouton has always done well with this type of adventuresome claiming and
especially when they’re taken from Cody Autrey.
Sunday (2/22)
4TH — GLITTER’S FORUM (Open Forum) was able to win here in impressive
fashion despite stepping up in class. The four-year-old filly was claimed by
trainer Sturges Ducoing, who has been enjoying a productive stand here at the
Fair Grounds. It sends a strong positive message that he took this horse on the
way UP the ladder.
HORSES TO WATCH
Thursday (2/19)
7TH — ASHLEE’S MOM (Alphabet Soup) made her second start off the shelf today
and after breaking poorly from the rail still managed to come with a vengeance
late. Now looks to be sitting on a win next out.
Friday (2/20)
5TH — HALLWAY (Graeme Hall) got knocked around at the start by the eventual
winner, but the five-year-old horse still turned in a gritty performance to gain
the place against the odds-on choice. This is the type of effort that sets a
runner up perfectly for the next go around.
Sunday (2/22)
3RD — PERSONAL VELOCITY (Monashee Mountain) was going first time around for
new trainer Steve Asmussen, who seemed to have this in form three-year-old
perfectly spotted. Unfortunately, he fell coming out of the gate before being
forced to race very wide around both turns. Few horses could win under such
circumstances, and this one will be back to get the job done soon.
Monday (2/23)
9TH — ORTHODOX (Pulpit) had been away since October, and the three-year-old
colt was able to wire his field going long over the turf. Yes, the fractions
were slow, but very few horses have been able to win on the lead over this grass
course much less after a layoff.
BEWARE OF THESE
Thursday (2/19)
1ST — ADMIRAL HALSEY (Deputy Commander) is no surprise to see on the list
because when Tom Amoss drops a horse below what he paid for them, they’re on the
way out. In this case, the horse failed to run a lick and it’s very unlikely
he’s going to reverse course for new connections.
YOUNG BLOODS
Thursday (2/19)
3RD — ROBIN TONE (Not a Role Model) started career off today at the lowly
level of $15,000 which seemed about right. She will obviously never be more than
a claimer, but did show good heart and a solid late kick going short. This is
the type of horse who can surprise when stretching out as she never appeared to
get tired even well after the race.
Friday (2/20)
3RD — SHE’S YUMMY (Greatness) has absolutely no breeding for the grass yet
easily beat a solid group of maiden special weight runners today. The first-time
starter did it with such authority, we wonder what she’ll do when in a proper
spot.
Sunday (2/22)
1ST — UNEXPECTED VALOR (Valid Expectations) had been drawing rave reviews
for his morning moves and drew plenty of attention at the windows as well before
going off as the second choice. And, the three-year-old colt didn’t disappoint.
He immediately got hooked up in a speed duel with the Asmussen runner Cat Dash
(Forest Wildcat) and battled that more experienced rival on even terms
throughout before grudgingly gaining the place. This was a sharp effort all
around and we will be hearing more from this one.