General Quarters returns to action at Fair Grounds

After his convincing 1 1/2-length success in the Blue Grass over Keeneland's

Polytrack, General Quarters wound up 10th in the Kentucky Derby (G1). The gray

colt tried to rebound in the Preakness two weeks later, but checked in ninth and

was subsequently diagnosed with a bone chip.

General Quarters has been installed as the 8-5 morning-line favorite for his

reappearance. Jose Riquelme picks up the mount aboard the sophomore, who has

drawn in the middle of the field in post 4.

His most dangerous opponent figures to be the older sprinter TEMPO FIVE (Five

Star Day). Most recently runner-up in the Thanksgiving H. at this track and

trip, the Tom Amoss charge rates as the 9-5 second choice on the morning line.

Although General Quarters has not raced in a sprint since last January, when

he was second in the seven-furlong Pasco S. at Tampa, McCarthy believes that he

will run well and take a step toward bigger targets.

"I'm taking it one race at a time," McCarthy said, "but if he runs as well as

I expect him to Saturday, the Louisiana H. (on January 23) and the Mineshaft H.

([G3] on February 20) are both possible, but I really brought him down here for

the New Orleans H. ([G2] on March 27).

"I'm hoping Saturday's race will serve as a confidence builder for him after

those races in the Derby and Preakness," McCarthy concluded.