.jpg)
Saturday is a big day for state-breds at Fair Grounds Race Course. With $900,000 worth of stakes events for Louisiana-breds, Louisiana Champions Day is sure to be a day worth attacking in New Orleans and 1/ST BET and Xpressbet are back once again with a promotion to make the card that much more attractive. This time it is a Hit & Split with a total of $5,000 up for grabs. Just register for the promotion and split an additional $2,500 if you hit the late Pick 5 (starts in Race 8) or $2,500 for the late Pick 4 (starts in Race 9). Here is how I plan to attack the late horizontals.
Grade Descriptions: Grade A=Highest degree of confidence; Grade B=Solid Play. Grade C=Least preferred or pass; Grade X=probable winner but likely at odds too short to play.
Race 8: Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile
Grade: B-
Main Ticket: 3 Creole Chrome
Backups: 5 Our Moneyman
Forecast: The late Pick 5 kicks off with this 6-furlong dash over the main track for 2YOs where a number of runners exit the Joseph R. Peluso Memorial on November 20. #6 Mr Mo Money sprung the upset that day crossing the wire first at odds of 21-1, but I prefer #5 Our Moneyman out of that group. The Allied Racing Stable runner has taken on open company competition in Kentucky and should move forward in his second local start for trainer Bret Calhoun. I will use him as a backup, but like the chances most of #3 Creole Chrome. The Volatile colt debuted on the same day as the Peluso Memorial where he broke his maiden on debut earning the same time as Our Moneyman did a few races earlier. The Joe Sharp trainee was much the best that day and retains the services of Paco Lopez. He is the one to beat in this year’s Juvenile.
Race 9: Louisiana Champions Day Turf
Grade: C+
Main Ticket: 11 Allnight Moonlight; 9 Woods N Water
Backups: 1 Letmikefigureitout
Forecast: This 1 1/16-miles race over the lawn is one of the mor challenging races on the entire card. The lack of speed signed on gives a runner like #1 Letmikefigureitout a chance to use his tactical zip and inside draw to his advantage, but his lack of turf form makes him difficult to get too excited about at his 7-2-ML offering. I am hoping that one of two runners that are likely to provide better value can get enough pace to chase to get to the wire first. #9 Woods N Water won this race a year ago, but has done little since. The Palace gelding failed to hit the board in back-to-back races following his victory last December and has been given time since. If he is ready to fire fresh, he is capable of springing the upset in consecutive years. #11 Allnight Moonlight is my top choice. The son of Ransom the Moon lacks speed, but has run some big races from off the pace over the grass. Hopefully, Jose Ortiz can work out a trip from his outside post.
Race 10: Louisiana Champions Day Sprint
Grade: B
Main Ticket: 5 Not On Herb
Backups: None
Forecast: #5 Not On Herb is one of four in this compact group of six that exits last month’s Andrew Ney Memorial. The son of First Samurai stalked early and grinded hard late to earn his fifth victory over the Fair Grounds main track. The David Terre runner is unlikely to offer the same value he did in his victory off the bench, but the fact he draws outside #1 Geaux Sugar again should give jockey Paco Lopez a tactical advantage. I like his chances to earn his tenth career victory and first in the Louisiana Champions Day Sprint.
Race 11:
Grade: C+
Main Ticket: 2 Jet Ruckus
Backups: 6 Running Faith
Forecast: I lack creativity in this state-bred MSW event at one-mile where 3-1-ML second choice #2 Jet Ruckus is my top choice. The daughter of Combatant debuted going eight-furlongs at Delta Downs last month where she finished a solid second at nearly 10-1. A move forward should be expected from the 2YO filly, who returns to the races for a barn that is 9 for their last 38 with second-time starters for a juicy ROI of $4.03. I give her a big chance to beat 5-2-ML favorite #6 Running Faith, who makes plenty of sense going two sprints to a route after a runner-up effort going 5-furlongs at Delta Downs.
Race 12:
Grade: X
Main Ticket: 1 Sweet Darlin
Backups: None
Forecast: I have no interest in tackling 7-5-ML favorite #1 Sweet Darlin in the finale. The Can the Man mare has been given time after three poor efforts going two-turns to end her 4YO season. Trainer Bret Calhoun and drops his trainee down massively into this beaten $5k claimer at six-furlongs over the main track where Jockey Brian Hernandez Jr. should be able to tuck in right behind the speeds and best this group as a heavy public choice. She is likely to be too short of a price to gamble on individually, but makes for a popular single in the late horizontals.
.svg){kind=logo}
