We’ve got some bigger fields this week than we did last week, lets see if it is harder to make our picks or not.

Race 1: Tom Benson Memorial Stakes

• Dalika – peaked beyers in the 90’s recently, winner of last race, winner of 2/4 at Fair Grounds and 3/8 at distance, Mena has ridden her in 3/4 most recent wins.
• Dominga – switching to high percentage jockey, high percentage trainer, has experience at the track, winner of 2/3 at Fair Grounds and 1/2 at distance. Some graded stakes experience, does Cox have her ready?
• Pass the Plate – could have gone with Temple City Terror here too, similar horses, experience at the treack, winner of 2/3 at distance, 1-0-2 at track, some stakes experience.

Race 2: New Orleans Classic Stakes (G2)

• Owendale – definitely looks to have the speed advantage on paper, winner of 2/5 at distance and 1/3 at Fair Grounds, high percentage jockey and trainer, working bullets, looking for first win since may of last year.
• Roadster – hasn’t been in a race since a 2nd a year ago, training well though, a win at distance, gets the talented Johnny V, is he ready?
• Sonneman – stretching out to 1 1/8, consistent speed, but might not be enough, experience at track with two 2nd place finishes, Graded stakes experience.

Race 3: Muniz Memorial Classic Stakes (G2)

• Colonel Liam – winner last time out in the Pegasus World Cup, winner of last 2 and 4/6 lifetime, familiar Irad Ortiz on top, working well.
• Factor This – winner of 2/4 at Fair Grounds and 3/7 at distance, but hard times lately. Has Brad Cox got him figured out? Avg workouts of late, hasn’t been able to stretch out to distance has me concerned.
• Cross Border – 3rd to Colonel Liam in PWC, hit the board a lot, but wins lacking lately, has the graded stakes experience and seems to have the energy at the end of a race, working bullets.
• Just Missed – Logical Myth – lots of experience at Fair Grounds, winner of 5/7, beaten by freak race by Captivating Moon last time out, familiar jockey, working well, stepping up in class though.

Race 4: Fair Grounds Oaks (G2)

• Clairiere – winner of 2/3 including last race, working bullets, winner of 2/3 at distance, and second the other time, win at Fair Grounds.
• Travel Column – winner of 2/3 and 1-1-1 at distance, graded stakes experience, high percentage trainer and jockey, working bullets.
• Li’l Tootsie – winner of last 2, moving up in class though, winner at distance, high percentage trainer, all races at Fair Grounds 2-1-0.

Race 5: Louisiana Derby (G2)

• Mandoulin – fastest speed amongst starters, winner last time out, working bullets, high percentage jockey and trainer, winner 3/4 lifetime, 1/2 at Fair Grounds.
• Hot Rod Charlie – second in Breeders Cup Juvenile, working out well, new trainer, lets see what he’s got.
• Proxy – second in last two graded stakes, bumped both starts, good speed, high percentage jockey, good workouts. Not sure Midnight Bourbon can make the distance.

Race 6: San Luis Rey Stakes (G3)

• Masteroffoxhounds – winner of last 2, winner at Santa Anita, high percentage jockey and trainer, working out well.
• United – not sure what happened in BC Turf, but doesn’t seem to weaken at the finish, lots of speed, high percentage jockey and trainer, lots of time off but working out well, lots of experience at Santa Anita.
• Say the Word – tired in Pegasus World Cup, but maybe switch to Mike Smith is the key? High percentage trainer, has shown the speed, winner at distance, lots of turf experience.
• I liked some of what Acclimate had to offer, but “weakened” or “yield”, “outfinished” last 4 times out.

There we have it. The brackets are getting busted in NCAA, but there is still horse racing out there. Have a great day and play the Pick 6 Challenge. http://games.scaredycatfilms.com/pick6/index.php