Louisiana Derby Day

 We roll out to NOLA for Louisiana Derby day and an excellent card.

Fair Grounds Race Course Race 12 {Louisiana Derby~G2~1 3/16 mile~3 year-old~Graded Stakes}

A very talented field of nine will compete for big time Kentucky Derby points with the first and second place finishers likely to land a spot in the Derby gate on the first Saturday in May.

Past Performances utilized:  Equibase.

The entire field will stretch out to this distance. The race appears to be very competitive as all but one have earned speed numbers in the 90's. There is enough speed to push the pace. Seven Triple Crown nominees enter the race. After the favorite and likely winner, the race is wide open as all the connections would love to make the walk to the KD gate on May 7th. It will be a fantastic race.

#6 Epicenter (Rosario / Asmussen) is the deserved favorite coming into this race with the second highest speed number and four magnificent workouts that include to bullets. This colt loves the Fair Grounds track and should the controlling speed. He is the only one in the field with three wins to his record. A son of Not This Time, he is 80% in the money from five career starts.

$1 WIN  /  $2 PLACE  /  $3 SHOW.

#5 Kupuna (R. Gutierrez / Calhoun) should challenge as he continues to improve along the Derby trail. He should be tracking the pace ready to make his move. This lad holds the third highest last out speed number and three fierce workouts including two bullets. A son of Hard Spun, he is 100% in the money from four career starts.

$1 PLACE  /  $2 SHOW.

#3 Call Me Midnight (Graham / Desormeaux) comes in with the highest last out speed number and four strengthening workouts. He should track and close brilliantly. His last race was a victory over the Fair Grounds track. A son of Midnight Lute, he is 42% in the money from seven career starts.

$2 SHOW.

#9 Rattle N Roll (B. Hernandez / McPeek) should contend with the highest speed number over the dirt and two high powered workouts. He is another tracker that should strike in the stretch. Rolling in from Gulfstream Park he should rattle off decent fractions. A son of Connect, he is 60% in the money from five career starts.

$1 SHOW.

Other Wagering Interests

#7 Pioneer of Medina (Gaffalione / Pletcher) and #2 Zozos (Geroux / B. Cox) are both likely be part of the pace making crew. Both have wins over the Fair Grounds track. #7 Pioneer of Medina is a son of Pioneer of the Nile and #2 Zozos is a son of Munnings. 

$1 Saturday Exacta Wheel ($5.00)

#6 Epicenter  ///  #5 Kupuna,  #3 Call Me Midnight,  #9 Rattle N Roll,  #7 Pioneer of Medina,  #2 Zozos.

10 CENT Superfecta Box ($2.40)

#6 Epicenter  +  #5 Kupuna  +  #3 Call Me Midnight  +  #9 Rattle N. Roll.

Best to you in all of your wagers on this great Stakes Saturday!!!

Superfecta Sunday at Santa Anita

Back from a very brief Friday and Saturday respite, we look at a highly competitive Turf battle at gorgeous Santa Anita.

Santa Anita Park Race 6 {1 mile~TURF~3 year-old~Optional Claiming}
A great field of eight will take to the green in the only Turf battle of the day. There is plenty of speed to give this race a solid pace. All are relatively close in terms of speed numbers. Those coming from off the pace may have the advantage. Our task is to cobble a winning 10 CENT Superfecta box ticket.

#8 Broughton Kitten (M. Garcia / Ward) looks to have the edge with the third highest speed number coming out of a longer route and two fine workouts. He shares the highest speed number at the distance. Watch him close smoothly into the stretch.

#3 Daddy D.T. (Talamo / Sadler) will challenge with the highest last out speed number, a three race progression, and four stellar workouts. He will assume a tracking position seeking to pass the lead group. He is 75% in the money at the distance.

#7 Iancool (Van Dyke / Hollendorfer) is a Triple Crown nominee going to the Turf for the first time. He has won at this distance over the dirt and will attempt to transfer that form to the Turf. His workout tab is among the best yielding for supercharged works. Look for him to stay closer to the pace getting first jump on those coming from off the pace. He is our Bronze Horseshoe runner.
$2 SHOW.

#1 Royal Albert Hall [GB] (Prat / O'Neill) may surprise in his first North American start. He comes in from a successful racing start across the pond. He will also be making his first Turf start after going 80% in the money over the synthetic. This lad should be right off the leaders ready to pounce.

10 CENT Superfecta Box ($2.40)

#8 Broughton Kitten  +  #3 Daddy D.T.  +  #7 Iancol  +  #1 Royal Albert Hall [GB].



Thursday's Results
Fair Grounds Race Course R4.  Maiden Claiming.  Our first pick, Linda's Choice, won (1st) for show money of $2.60.  Our second pick, Romance in Vegas, finished off the board.
Superfecta went 6-7-1-4.
Bankroll slips to $39.80.