Stakes Saturday in NOLA

 The road to this year's Kentucky Derby begins in earnest down in New Orleans, Louisiana as we take in a key race along the Derby trail on this Stakes Saturday.

Fair Grounds Racecourse Race 13 {LeComte~G3~1 1/16 mile~3 year-old~Graded Stakes}

Kentucky Derby points are on the line as a reduced field of eight go to the gate in this annual event.

Past Performances used:  Drf Classic.

This field contains significant speed and forwardly placed types to insure a very fast pace. Speed numbers are extremely close among these Derby aspirants. Two have raced over the Fair Grounds track. The rest will be racing over the track for the first time. It should be an exceptionally good race.

#1 Midnight Bourbon (Santana / Asmussen) will be stretching out to this distance with the third highest (3-way tie) last out speed number and three strong workouts. This colt should be tracking the pace very closely ready to strike in the stretch. A son of Tiznow, he is 75% in the money from four career starts.

$1 WIN  /  $2 PLACE  /  $3 SHOW.

#10 Mandaloun (Geroux / B. Cox) will also be stretching out in his third career start. He holds the highest last out speed number and four serious peaking workouts. This guy should track the pace and explode into the stretch. A son of Into Mischief, he holds a 100% win record in his two career starts.

$1 PLACE  /  $2 SHOW.

#4 Proxy (Murrill / Stidham) already has two wins from two starts at this distance. He comes in  sharing the third highest last out speed number and two solid workouts. He should be should be part of the speed congregation that makes up the bulk of this field. A son of Tapit, he is 100% in the money from three career starts.

$2 SHOW.

#6 Game Day Play (G. Saez / Calhoun) is yet another that will be stretching out to this distance. His last three races have been respectable and he has put in three powerful workouts prepping for this race. Look for him to race close to the pace. A son of Violence, he holds a 50% win rate from four career starts.

$1 SHOW.

Other Wagering Interests

#2 Arabian Prince (B. Hernandez / D. Stewart) and #7 Santa Cruiser (Graham / Desormeaux) have to be considered for any exotic wagers. Their connections are significant players along the long Derby trail.

$1 Saturday Exacta Wheel ($5.00)

#1 Midnight Bourbon  //  #10 Mandaloun,  #4 Proxy,  #6 Game Day Play,  #2 Arabian Prince, #7 Santa Cruiser.

Last Superfecta Sunday (1/10) Results

Aqueduct R8.  Rego Park Stakes.  We completely fumbled our 10 CENT Superfecta play scoring only one of the four wagering interests required to cash. Superfecta went 8-6-7-3.

Our Bronze Horseshoe runner, Windy Nations, finished 5th.

Bankroll takes a plunge to $24.92.