Fair Grounds Notebook 12/8

FAIR GROUNDS NOTEBOOK

DECEMBER 8

by Brian P. Turner

A mere field of six went to the gate for Saturday's $60,000 Tenacious H. but

what the race lacked in size it more than made up for by providing a thrilling

finish in which only 1 1/4 lengths separated the top four finishers. The Neil

Howard-trained MIDWAY ROAD (Jade Hunter) was sent to the post by the betting

public as the overwhelming 1-2 favorite and came out of the gate determined to

make his supporters happy as he quickly opened a 1 1/2-length lead.

As the field made their way down the backstretch, Spanish Empire (Pleasant

Colony) moved up to challenge for the lead, but Midway Road repelled the bid

when the field entered the second turn and looked prepared to once more clear

the field. Pie N Burger (Twining) had other ideas though as he moved up to

challenge at the top of the stretch. From there, both horses were set down for

the drive by their jockeys and while Pie N Burger fought valiantly to the wire,

he could not run down Midway Road and the latter gamely prevailed by a nose.

Kodema (Seeking the Gold), who was content to lay off of the pace early, closed

with a nice turn of foot late to finish another three parts of a length back in

third.

Unfortunately, the race was marred by the tragic death of Spanish Empire who

was suddenly eased after challenging Midway Road. Track veterinarian Tom David

listed the cause of death as an apparent heart attack.

The only other stakes offering of the week also came on Saturday as a field

of seven, including one coupled entry, contested the six-furlong Mississippi

Futurity for two-year-olds owned by members of the Mississippi Owners and

Breeders Association. HEART TO HEART (Homo Sapiens) was sent to the gate as the

favorite and rewarded chalk players by taking the lead early and never looking

back, crossing the finish line 2 3/4 lengths in front. Lexy's Taxiano (Artax)

was second, 6 3/4 lengths clear of Valentino Man (Homo Sapiana).

Horses on or near the pace held the advantage on the main track in sprint

races this week, but the advantage went to runners coming from off the pace in

routes. Rain forced Sunday's turf races to the main track. In turf events run on

their intended surface, horses coming from off the pace reigned in both sprints

and routes.

Steve Asmussen still claims the top spot in the trainer standings as his six

winners leave him one ahead of C.W. Bubba Cascio in second. Michael Stidham is

currently in third with four winners for the meet. As for the jockeys, Robby

Albarado still lead the pack with 14, but Corey Lanerie and Lonnie Meche are

close behind with 10 and eight winners, respectively.

HORSES TO WATCH

Thursday (12/02)

2ND – POKER GAME (Awesome Again) found himself embroiled in a pace duel in

this maiden special event, contesting early fractions that went in :22 and :46.

Instead of packing it up in the stretch drive though, the three-year-old colt

fought to the end to finish second by two lengths, but 2 3/4 lengths clear of

the rest of the field. A little less early pace next time could find him holding

on all the way.

9TH – CANDID GLEN ( El Gran Senor) returned to racing in fine form after a

layoff of well over a year. The seven-year-old easily handled this field of

optional claimers and is undoubtedly gearing up for a return to stakes

competition.

Friday (12/03)

6TH – TOP GATE (Saint Ballado) raced near the back of the pack through the

early stages of this allowance turf event, but really exploded through the

stretch to finish a respectable fourth. The chestnut is a half brother to four

stakes winners, including multiple Grade 1-placed and English Group 2 winner

Eltish, and could in the long run prove to be any sort.

Saturday (12/04)

3RD – NO THEATRICS (Theatrical [Ire]) put in a solid performance in his first

career effort by rallying from off the pace to finish third, beaten by only a

neck, in this maiden special grass event. The two-year-old colt has a solid

pedigree for the lawn and should only show improvement in his next start on the

surface.

6TH – COSMIC KRIS (Storm Creek) lingered near the back of the pack in the

early stages of this maiden special grass event but began to make up ground in

the stretch drive to finish fourth. The two-year-old gelding has performed

respectably in both his attempts on the surface and probably won't be denied

much longer.

8TH – FOOFARAW (Cherokee Run) had one of the roughest stretch drives possible

in this allowance turf affair. The two-year-old filly was steadied twice and was

left with no place to go on the inside but still managed to finish third. A

better trip next out could yield better results.

Sunday (12/05)

9TH – TISKET A TASKET (Broad Brush) put in quite an impressive performance in

this allowance race that was originally slated for the lawn. The three-year-old

filly rallied from last to take the lead in the stretch and cross the wire 7 1/4

lengths in front.