FAIR GROUNDS NOTEBOOK
MARCH 6, 2009
by Steve Collison
Recap
Coming from well off the pace in the $60,000 Gentilly S., MILWAUKEE MIRACLE
(Milwaukee Brew) scored an impressive daylight victory in the first of two
stakes races for theee-year-old Louisiana-breds here on Saturday. In the other,
the Sarah Lane’s Oates Stakes for fillies, WANNA CUDDLE (Leestown) also was able
to stalk the pace setters to come from well out it to tally by 2 3/4 lengths.
Milwaukee Miracle rewarded his backers with mutuels of $33.80, $15 and $7.40
while accomplishing the about 1 1/16-mile distance in 1:46.76 over the firm turf
course. Trained by Robert Young, he increased his career earnings to $85,630
with his third win in seven lifetime starts.
“I loved his chances going the distance,” Donnie Meche said in the winner’s
circle. “I was in a little bit of trouble early behind the field but once he got
clear he just accelerated.”
As for the Sarah Lane’s Oates, winning jockey Corey Lanerie stated, “After
leaving the gate I got her to relax. Once she saw a little daylight she was much
the best.”
Wanna Cuddle paid $19.80, $7 and $4.60, increased her career earnings to
$165,587 while winning for the third time in eight starts and covered about one
mile over the turf in 1:39.66.
Looking Ahead
Trainer Larry Jones has endured his share of hard knocks over the past year,
but right now he continues showing a strong hand heading towards Louisiana Derby
Day on March 14 with his FRIESAN FIRE (A.P. Indy) leading the way.
“Friesan Fire will probably work again Monday morning,” Jones said as he sat
at his tack room desk during Friday’s mid-morning break. “He continues to be
right on schedule for the Louisiana Derby (G2).”
A two-length winner of the Risen Star S. (G3) on February 7, he captured
Lecomte S. (G3) by 1 1/2 lengths on January 10, and the colt could sweep of the
Louisiana Derby series — a rare feat not accomplished since 1993. He will
command considerable respect assuming if things continue to go according to
schedule.
Track Surface
The Fair Grounds main surface continues showing no signs of bias worth noting
as runners who should be winning are. The grass course does favor those coming
from off the pace, but this is a natural bias caused by the track’s
configuration more then anything else.
Free Advice Corner
The quickest and easiest way to spot a potential bias on any given day is to
watch veteran riders during the first race. Jockeys work horses every morning
prior to the day’s racing and they can easily discern whether the track is has
been harrowed too deeply or rolled too tight. One of these produces a bias for
speed and the other for late chargers. Riders can also tell whether the rail is
deep or lightning fast. All of this information comes before most people even
read the past performances.
Jockey Notes
Last week I was talking about how tight the Fair Grounds jockey race had
become and suggested that ROBBY ALBARADO had a good chance to take over the lead
soon. Although I didn’t realize it would happen so quickly, we now do indeed see
Albarado sitting atop those very same standings. Albarado, seeking an
unprecedented seventh Fair Grounds title, has now moved into sole possession of
the top spot for the first time this season. Albarado ended Sunday’s program
with 67 wins, one more than last year’s leading rider, Jamie Theriot, who was
winless on the card.
Robby Albarado: 67
Jamie Theriot: 66
James Graham: 63
Shaun Bridgmohan: 55
RECENT CLAIMS TO WATCH
Saturday (2/28)
1ST — INNER LIGHT (Songandaprayer) was getting ready to run in the Wood
Memorial (G1) for trainer Bill Mott last year at this time. Obviously, he has
fallen a long way since then and was claimed today by Patrick Ladner for just
$20,000. You would think that someone like Ladner would have a tough time
improving on a Mott runner, but frequently once a horse falls out of favor with
a big stable they get lost in the shuffle. It’s possible that with some personal
attention this underachiever may still find some value.
2ND — CHACAHOULA CHOICE (Choosing Choice) shows just two wins from 17 career
starts, but trainer Steve Asmussen has decided to put his own money up and claim
him. Asmussen must have seen something that peeked his interest and that may
become evident next time out for new connections.
Sunday (3/1)
2ND — I typically don’t recommend young runners who are entered well below
what they originally cost their connections, but we’ll make an exception with
SECTION F (Thunder Gulch). Breaking from the rail while making his career debut,
the colt showed not only good speed but plenty of heart when not being
intimidated by the crush from the outside. That kind of fortitude usually
represents wins down the road. Also he has good turf breeding so a move to that
surface may be imminent from new trainer Gary Scherer.
HORSES TO WATCH
Saturday (2/28)
6TH — The only reason GENIVER (Arch) didn’t find the winner’s circle today
was due to the fact that she was thrown in against stakes runner Dubai Majesty
(Essence Of Dubai). With that rival now gone, the door is wide open next time
around.
Sunday (3/1)
4TH — OL’JACK MAGIC (Touch Gold) was coming off an extended two-year hiatus
recently, and the lightly raced four-year-old colt still managed to win big in
only his second start back. Can be sure that trainer Bret Calhoun will keep him
in this winning mode for some time.
BEWARE OF THESE
Friday (2/27)
5TH — INSURE (Menifee) has been running in great form of late having been in
the money three straight while not having a bad effort since coming off the
shelf in November for trainer Greg Foley. However, the funs about to end as he
was claimed prior to latest by Elliot Necaise, who is currently zero for 71 this
year. The horse gained the place today basically because she was still under the
steam of her former connections. Now, she will have had time to allow Necaise’s
regimen to take over and I would expect her form to head south accordingly.
YOUNG BLOODS
Friday (2/27)
2ND — MY ZAK (Mayakovsky), a modestly bred three-year-old colt, was making
his career debut today for trainer Blake Landry, who up until now had no record
whatsoever to stand on. This in fact was Landry’s first career start, so both
horse and conditioner are starting off together. As for the horse, he turned in
a determined performance to run fifth, which wasn’t bad considering he was going
only six furlongs and is bred for stamina. He galloped out with passion and even
though he’s on the cheap side, he may surprise at a price when asked to move out
to two turns.
Saturday (2/28)
4TH — EVACUATION ROUTE (Omega Code) is trained by Alvin Sider, who doesn’t
do well with first time starters and this horse has no grass breeding whatsoever
yet he was able to grab the place at odds of 19-1.
Sunday (3/1)
4TH — STORMY LIAISON (Stormy Atlantic), a first time starter, was washy and
rank during the post parade and then didn’t want to load. Despite all of this
nonsense, she still went on to turn in an encouraging performance and will do
much better once she gets the jitters knocked out.