Last 3 races for Saturday at FG were distributed and thanks. Without getting into muc handicapping on that Card just yet, even though I downloaded PP\'s on Monday.
Curious what Saudi Crown got that day on December 21st. Negative 3 or 4? Track Phantom paired his 2 and got beat 6 lengths. I remember when the odds opened Saudi Crown was a solid 1-9. The kind of 1-9 where somebody put $50,000 to win from a suitcase they took, the moment they walked into the Track. Oh wait it\'s all online now. Anyway \"Nobody knew nuthin around my barn \"Fat Vinny\" Teresa said.\"
LeComte Day has always been one of my favorite racing days of the year. The 3YO races pick up in earnest. The NFL Playoffs are JACKED. Now we gotta pick some winners and I already see a juicy one on that Card. Lets pick some Winners people
Built ran a huge one in the Gunrunner . The Cat Man, Wayne Catalano knows how to manage a good horse when he gets one. Sloppy track for Saturday is in the forecast. Loveberry back on board, on another really good Hard Spun colt three years after Two Phil\'s. With the outside post and the track condition, and both his wins have come on or just off the pace, Built should be ridden aggressively for a forward position and hope to get to the first turn first and not be hung wide. If he does, and the fractions are moderately run, and pairs that up or improves off that effort, he should win in a canter. Catalano is pretty high on this one, and he doesn\'t beat around the bush about his chances. His interview in the DRF, linked at the end, he sounds confident.
This is a guy that should be in the Hall of Fame, having almost 5000 wins riding and training, and would be worthy of being bestowed by the Derby Gods as a Kentucky Derby winner. I\'ll be rooting for him and his horse, and will be a single in my multi race exotics. Has had some time from the last race , so will be playing against a bounce.
Don\'t know what number Barnes got in his last race, but Innovator has the 1 hole and ran Barnes to a nose first time out for Barnes at Churchill. He should also be sent for position , and has been pairing his numbers last few outings.
Assmusens horse looks intriguing, has the second best figure in the race, Admiral Dennis is scratching for an allowance race on Sunday, but has Disco party for Juddmonte. I also fine Dallas Stewart\'s charge in the race , so I will look to add those in some exactas and tri/supers.
Any other thoughts on that race.
https://www.drf.com/news/catalano-not-afraid-builts-outside-post-lecomte
Hard Spun won this race years ago. Although the timing was a tad earlier because the Louisiana Derby was earlier. Hard Spun ran a 2. The same Fig Built just ran.
Seattle Road scratching is only interesting because he won the Maiden race on Gun Runner Day that was the last race of the day. Many of the others are running back in am Maiden route that might the 8th or 9th race. That race was completely bizarre and Asmussens pricy runner $1.1M ducked out at the 1/8th pole to the otter rail then gathered up and finished 5th beaten three quarters of length. The blinkers go on Saturday and he listed as 9/2. I sure hope it isnt a slop fest.
The few wether sites I looked at have in definite on Saturday, but in the morning now instead of rain all day. And with heavy cloud cover.
If they can seal it and then harrow it and open it up , hopefully get a fair track for all.
The rain has moved on through. The track will dry out as the day goes along and the turf course could be a little bit on the good side. but doesn\'t one expect a Bayou Turf Course to always be a little boggy?
Having watched the replay of Yinzer, the Maiden in the 7th again I seriously doubt I can go there. He was losing his action before he ducked out badly. It was a weird race indeed as Saez on the front end tried to steal it and the track that day gave the impressions tings were speedy. Cromwell left the gate from the 12 hole with energy but was taken back to last while 4 wide on the backstretch. Got put to a drive late turning for home and finished with a purpose. If he has figured things out and can show some better tactical speed this might be the Best Bet of the Day. JL Ortiz is set up for a Big Day
From Equibase - Fairgrounds off the turf and loads of scratches as one would expect (you can copy and paste if needed):
https://www.equibase.com/static/latechanges/html/latechangesFG-USA.html#sthash.GJd0XKDL.kM2MFGUU.dpbs
Fair Grounds
Last Updated: January 18, 11:50 AM ET
AT THIS TIME ALL RACES HAVE BEEN TAKEN OFF THE TURF
Current Track Conditions:
Dirt: Sloppy
Turf: Off Turf
Scheduled First Post: 12:00 PM CT
Yes indeed it is. I thought it might dry out more than what I\'m seeing but I\'m not making any excuses that it is causing me to lose....lol
That last race hurt. Cromwell actually was a decent price at 5/2 after being Even money most of the pre post. Did not save with McPeek and Cromwell was right in behind him around the turn just go out finished and I took a decent hit.
With these races off the Turf it\'s not ideal. I might give Golden Gamble a hard look. A couple of works since that last and she really wasn\'t persevered with that day. Should go off a reasonable price. McPeek is at FG. Soooo!!
Was that track tiring in the Lecomte ?
That race should be fun to make figures for. Slowest Lecomte in history, Hit Show ran over 2 seconds faster, the 3 year old maidens went a second faster, the raw splits were crawling.
Disco Time with a 7 wide run at least, it seemed. Lost track of Built during the running, need to watch the replays, but not the trips I thought the two most probable horses would get and still finish 1-2.