Fairgrounds Friday

Today we look at a couple of enjoyable races down in the "Big Easy".  It looks like it will be warm, around 69 degrees and sunny.  But first a personal aside.

Ron Santo (1940-2010), RIP
Chicago Cubs great, Ron Santo passed away last night at the age of 70.  He was my favorite player as a kid growing up.  My grandmother (RIP) used to take me to Wrigley Field for at least one game every summer during my youth.  I loved the game of baseball.  It was one of the greatest experiences in my childhood.

Not many people know that Ron Santo was an avid horseman.  Though he was not into thoroughbred horse racing, he loved horses and riding them too.  While a baseball player he would frequently get away from the game with fellow players riding horses in the Arizona desert.  He continued riding them despite the loss of both of his legs to diabetes.  He was a great baseball player and great human being.  Ronnie we loved you. Rest in peace.

Thank you.  Now on to our Friday Fairgrounds Features.

Fairgrounds Race 8 {1 mile~Turf~3 year old Up~Claiming}
A quality field of ten go to the gate for this Turf affair.  Wonka (Hernandez / Stidham) will challenge also coming off a decent layoff with a win at this distance, a three race progression going into the layoff and three robust workouts.  Monarchos Boy (Eramia / Nicks) looks ready to strike with the second highest last out speed number and three athletic workouts.  Mountain of Joy (Sellers / Maker) will be in the hunt coming off a longer route on the synthetic, a three race progression, and three hearty workouts.  Quazar (Camejo / Desormeaux) looks ready to race big with the highest speed number at the distance, a three race progression, and one sturdy workout.  Southern Saint (Mena / Heitzmann) will be in the mix with a couple of ok last out speed numbers, a two race progression, and three leathery workouts.  Let's play Fairgrounds.

$1 WIN / SHOW:  #9 Wonka.
$1 PLACE / SHOW:  #8 Monarchos Boy.
10 CENT Superfecta:  #9 Wonka / #8 Monarchos Boy / #1 Mountain of Joy / #11 Quazar, #2 Southern Saint.

Fairgrounds Race 9 {6 furlongs~3 year old Up~LA~Allowance}
Another good quality sprint featuring a field of nine.  Perilous Crossing (Perrodin / Mouton) appears to be ready and able to win this one with the highest last out speed number prior to a nice layoff.  With a two race progression prior to the layoff and four hardy, peaking workouts, Perilous Crossing looks well spotted for victory.  Finest Cat (Graham / Wilson) will be the motor on the front end with the second highest last out speed number coming off a seven furlong sprint.  He has a tremendous record of 80% in the money at this distance.  Jedediah (Mena / Arceneaux) looks battle ready with the highest speed number at this distance and the highest speed number on this track.  He will be closing powerfully hoping to ge the victory.  Macho Regent (Clark / Sibile) will be striding well for a piece of the purse with the third highest (tie) speed number and two virile workouts.  Can't Complain (Campbell / Stall) will share speed duties on the front end hoping to last the distance for a piece of the pie with a couple of decent last out speed numbers and three muscular, peaking workouts.  Let's play another at Fairgrounds.

$1 WIN / SHOW:  #1 Perilous Crossing.
$2 PLACE / SHOW:  #4 Finest Cat.
10 CENT Superfecta:  #1 Perilous Crossing / #4 Finest Cat / #8 Jedediah / #3 Macho Regent, #6 Can't Complain.


















Thursday's Results
Aqueduct Race 8.  Our first pick, Smooth Transition, finished 2nd for show money of $1.05.  Our second pick, Goodbyeandgoodluck, won (1st) for place money of $3.40 and show money of $1.55.  Superfecta went 4-7-1-8.
Bankroll bumps to $15.40.