We head to the Fair Grounds race track in Louisiana today for 5 races including the Louisiana Derby prep race, and then on to Santa Anita for our late day closer. There are smaller fields this week, but still plenty of good horses to chose from, I suspect another week with not enough selections to cover all your choices. Let’s have a look.

Race 1: Tom Benson Memorial Stakes

• Hendy Woods – Has the highest speed figs recently, hasn’t raced in months but working out well. Has had success at Fair Grounds winning 2/2. dropping in class, increasing distance though.
• Gam’s Mission – I regretted not picking Gam in the Regret, get it, she has shown the ability to compete at a graded stakes level and winner of 2/3 at distance and 1/1 at Fair Grounds, high percentage trainer, coming off a layoff like many this race.
• Lake Lucerne – High percentage trainer and jockey, has raced at graded stakes level, winner 2/3 at distance, coming off a long layoff like others, looks like she might have a sweet spot for this distance.

Race 2: New Orleans Classic Stakes (G2)

• Olympiad – Has the highest speed, winner last 2, winner at Fair Grounds, will be increasing distance but looks up to the task, tough field though.
• Proxy – Can’t ignore, winner last race, 6 3-2-0 record at Fair Grounds, high percentage jockey, has placed well in past Graded Stakes, working well.
• Chess Chief – Has raced well at long distances against Grade 1 company, high percentage jockey/trainer, working out well, lots of experience at Fair Ground, same jockey recent races, doubt he will go at 8/1.
• Promise Keeper – Can’t ignore, high percentage trainer, fast speeds, Graded Stakes winner, winner 2/3 at distance, working bullets.

Race 3: Muniz Memorial Classic Stakes (G2)

• Sacred Life – High speed figs, winner at distance, high percentage jockey, Graded Stakes experience, lots to like – except the price.
• Devamani – High speed figs, lots of experience at distance 8 3-3-0, high percentage jockey, kind of a dud last race at distance is a concern.
• Cavalry Charge – Was last race a fluke, or things to come? Beat a lot of good horses also in this field. Could be a toss up between Forty Under, Two Emmys, and Santin. Cavalry has a high percentage jockey/trainer, coming off a win, experience at distance, could be a gaggle of horses behind Sacred Life.

Race 4: Fair Grounds Oaks (G2)

• Echo Zulu – Highest speed figs, high percentage jockey/trainer, undefeated, winner at distance, Breeders Cup Juvenile winner, Graded Stakes winner, highly favored.
• Turnerloose – High percentage jockey/trainer, Graded Stakes experience, winner at distance, winner last race, winner at track, could maybe close?
• Bernabreezy – Winner last race, winner of 2/3 at Fair Ground, winner 2/3 at distance, high percentage jockey/trainer, working out well, also could close and chase down Echo Zulu.

Race 5:  Louisiana Derby (G2)

• Epicenter – Has been killing it on the derby trail, highest speed figs, high percentage jockey/trainer, winner 3 of last 4, winner 2/3 at Fair Grounds, winner Risen Star, working out well.
• Call Me Midnight – Winner over Epicenter in the Lecomte, winner last race, winner at Fair Grounds, high percentage jockey/trainer, working out well.
• Zozos – You’ve got to watch out for these lightly raced fast horses, undefeated in 2 starts, moving up in class, high percentage jockey/trainer, working bullets.

Race 6: Santa Ana Stakes (G3)

• Going to Vegas – High turf speeds, winner 2/3 at distance, 12 5-4-0 at Santa Anita, multiple Graded Stakes winner, working out well, finished second last race.
• Neige Blanche – High percentage jockey/trainer, coming off a layoff, winner 3 of last 4, won last race at Santa Anita.
• Keyflower – I keep an eye out for these foreign borns, winner last race, high percentage trainer, winner at track, experience at distance, moving up in class.
• Closing Remarks – Has a chance at this, increasing in distance, lots of Graded Stakes experience, lots of experience at Santa Anita, gets Joe Bravo for 4th race in a row. May not be any money here though.

There you have it, some interesting fields and lots of horses to draw your money away on.

Got what it takes to beat my picks? Try it.

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