Scott Shapiro: Thursday Fair Grounds Bet $100, Get $10 Promo Picks

With Valentine’s Day approaching rapidly, it should surprise no one that today marks the continuation of our “Love At First Bet” promotion at 1/ST BET and Xpressbet. For those that did not register and take part earlier this month, it is another simple, yet strong promo. Just register, bet $100 at that day’s selected track, and earn a $10 bonus. A no-brainer if you ask me with Fair Grounds up later this afternoon before their big Risen Star (G2) Day card on Saturday afternoon. I am going to focus on the grass with my plays in the “Big Easy” this afternoon.

Race 4:
My first play of the day in NOLA comes in this open $30k maiden claimer at one mile over the grass where three runners come in having hit the board at this level in their last start. However, I prefer class dropper #3 Matching Funds. Trainer Chris Block added blinkers to this son of Tiz the Law on January 19 after a modest effort on debut against MSW foes to kick off his career. The shades did not lead to anything near a victory against tougher, but did result in a slight move forward. Now, Block gets realistic and drops the homebred into the maiden claiming ranks for the first time and keeps one of the more underrated turf jockeys in the country aboard. Hopefully, Jareth Loveberry can save ground early and run this field down late.

Play: #3 Matching Funds (7-2 ML)


Race 6:
Class dropper #1 Prince of Light was made the understandable 5-2-ML favorite in this optional maiden claimer at two-turns on the lawn. The City of Light colt has kept better company thus far, draws the inside, and retains Jose Ortiz, but is likely to get bet down quite a bit. I will try to beat the Brendan Walsh trainee with #2 Fast Connection. The son of Connect has taken a noticeable move forward since trainer Joseph Foster moved him to the grass two-back. Foster took the blinkers off him for the first time last out and it not only led to a career best performance, but nearly his first lifetime victory. Unfortunately, he was beaten at the wire by a horse that was able to save far more ground. The inside draw and his tactical speed should result in a great trip and his first career victory later today.

Play: #2 Fast Connection (7-2 ML)


Race 8:
This first-level allowance at 1 1/16-miles over the grass is one of the more competitive races on the day and the pace certainly should be honest. I am hopeful #9 Lucky Mischief is the one to take advantage. The son of Yoshida has only crossed the wire once in his career, but it came against a MSW field at Keeneland in 2024. Since then, he has taken on quality competition for the most part, but has been just okay. Trainer Dallas Stewart added the blinkers last time out and it led to one of the best runs of his career and a victory via DQ. Stewart moves him in up in class and keeps jockey Axel Concepcion aboard. He should be rolling late at a solid price, if Concepcion is able to avoid significant ground loss from the outside draw.

Play: #9 Lucky Mischief (8-1 ML)

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