Well coronavirus has shut down most of the country, but the horse racing industry is still racing. The Kentucky Derby has been postponed until September 5th. If the race is even held on that day it will make an interesting scheduling duel with the Travers Stakes in Saratoga, scheduled for the last weekend in August. Anyway, still racing today in Santa Anita and Fairgrounds. Keep track of which tracks are still racing from horseracingnation. Also, NBC has stepped up racing coverage and will be broadcasting racing from 4-8pm live on Saturday and Sunday. Let’s get to it this week, with 1 race from Santa Anita, and 5 from the Fair Grounds.

Race 1: Tom Benson Memorial Stakes

• Altea – seems to have the speed, hot jockey/trainer, hasn’t won at distance though
• She’sonthewarpath – 2 wins in 3 starts at Fair Grounds, coming off a win at distance, good workouts, speed
• Winning Envelope – Winner over Dream Passage at distance, can Leparoux find the speed this race?

Race 2: New Orleans Classic Stakes (G2)

• Silver Dust – has the experience, 26 starts, winner of last 2, fast speed, high percentage jockey/trainer, working out well, hasn’t won at distance
• Fearless – the new guy, undefeated in 2 starts, working out well, could be a 2 horse race
• By My Standards – training well, bullet workout, lightly raced, coming off a win

Race 3: Muniz Memorial Classic Stakes (G2)

• Channel Maker – a distance horse dropping in distance, graded stakes resume, speed is there, maybe this is his day to break out?
• Synchrony – fast consistent speed, has won at distance, working out well
• Instilled Regard – highest speed last race, going shorter distance, high percentage jockey/trainer, has won at distance, graded stakes experience

Race 4: Fair Grounds Oaks (G2)

• Finite – winner of last 5, high percentage jockey/trainer, working out well, winner of 3 at distance, best bet?
• Bonny South – winner last time out at distance, high percentage trainer, has won at Fair Grounds
• Stop Shopping Tammy – winner last time out at distance and track, high percentage trainer, bullet workout, I’d be surprised if he goes off at 8-1, great value here if he can upset the favorite.

Race 5: San Simeon Stakes (G3)

• Bound for Nowhere – a hero or a zero, coming off a win, bullet workouts, winner at distance
• Cistron – winner of 2 of last 3, highest speed, front running style, working out well
• Surrender Now – lots of experience at distance, high percentage jockey/trainer, hasn’t raced since August, speed may not be there

Race 6: Louisiana Derby (G2)

• Enforceable – winner of the Lecomte, second in the Risen Star, most experience, working well
• Major Fed – second in Risen Star, winner at Fair Grounds, good post, high percentage jockey/trainer
• Silver State – fast speed, hit the board in Risen Star and Lecomte, bullet workout
• Just Missed – Wells Bayou – best dirt speed, high percentage trainer, second in the Southwest

Have a great day, practice social distancing, stay safe, enjoy the racing. Head on over to the Pick 6 Challenge.