FAIR GROUNDS NOTEBOOK
MARCH 13, 2009
by Steve Collison
Louisiana Derby
Saturday represents the climax of the long and successful
Fair Grounds meet as many of the nation’s top three-year-olds lock horns in what
promises to be a sensational contest. Leading the charge appears to be FRIESAN
FIRE (A.P. Indy), winner of the Lecomte S. (G3) and Risen Star S. (G3). He heads a
field of 10 entered Monday for the 96th running of the $600,000 Louisiana Derby
(G2).
Friesan Fire drew post 9 and has been installed as the 5-2 morning line
choice. The Kentucky-bred, who can become the first horse
in 16 years to sweep the Louisiana Derby series, breezed a bullet five furlongs
in :58.20 Monday morning at Fair Grounds under the watchful eye of trainer Larry
Jones with Gabriel Saez in the irons.
“The horse is just getting very, very good right now,” Jones said. “He did it
without being asked.”
However, Friesan Fire is not the only runner in this race with a solid shot at the top
prize. There’s PATENA (Seeking The Gold), who ran second,
beaten a 1 1/2 lengths, by Friesan Fire in the Lecomte. That race was his
only start this year but was run before the colt was sold and transferred to the
barn of trainer Richard Dutrow Jr., who surely knows how to improve upon almost
any horse.
“He obviously has a lot of talent,” Dutrow said. “We’re very happy with him
right now.”
Track Surface
On Thursday, other than CREDIT ONLY’s (Langfuhr) opening wire-to-wire effort,
the surface appeared dull and not conducive to those on the front end.
This trend continued on Friday as only heavy favorite GALFRIEND (My Friend Max)
was able to take the field coast to coast. By Saturday, the main surface
appeared a bit more glib even though the number of front runners winning didn’t
change. Considering the big races on the weekend menu, there’s really nothing
surprising about this. The week ended on the same note on which it started which
is to say speed wasn’t doing well at any distance. Even though there were
glimpses of life from time to time. the surface remained dull and dead for most
of the week.
RECENT CLAIMS TO WATCH
Thursday (3/5)
1ST — TALEITLIKEITAINT (Tale of the Cat) suffered through a troubled trip yet
still managed to find the board while being claimed by the astute Cody Autrey.
Autrey seems to have made a timely purchase once again and moving up the ladder
appears to be in this one’s future.
Saturday (3/7)
1ST — TIZTHEMANOW (Tiznow) was able to win in very impressive fashion
while being claimed by trainer Joe Rossyion. This new stable should be able to
capitalize upon the form that this horse is already showing.
Sunday (3/8)
10TH — KC SHUFFLE (Northern Afleet) failed to show much for the Jones barn but was claimed by Corale Richards and we have a hunch that this new
stable will have more time and energy to put into this one’s well being. That
could spell a quick improvement.
HORSES TO WATCH
Thursday (3/5)
1ST — Credit Only broke quickly to set sizzling
fractions on the way to an impressive wire-to-wire win. This Steve Margolis
trainee looks to be hitting his best stride and a repeat is well within his
reach.
Friday (3/6)
1ST — RUSTY’S JURY (During), a three-year-old filly, was forced to race extremely
wide throughout this entire race yet still was beaten by only a few lengths.
Could be overlooked next time out which makes her an overlay in almost any
situation.
YOUNG BLOODS
Friday (3/5)
3RD — RAMBUNCTIOUSLY (Petionville) was making her debut
performance and the three-year-old filly managed to show plenty of heart in getting up for the show spot.
Will probably fare much better once she gets around to going two turns.