Philip H. Iselin Breeders’ Cup H. (G3) winner WEST VIRGINIA (Tomorrows Cat)
is one of the top draws for a contentious $400,000 New Orleans H. (G2) on
Saturday. Traditionally held at Fair Grounds, the 1 1/8-mile main track test
will take place at Louisiana Downs, which is hosting the displaced Fair Grounds
meeting.
A five-time stakes winner, West Virginia really came on last season for
conditioner Todd Pletcher, defeating eventual Cigar Mile H. (G1) winner Purge
when posting a sharp one-length score in September’s Iselin at Monmouth Park.
The New York-bred exits two solid efforts, finishing second by a neck in both
the Queens County H. (G3) and Stuyvesant H. (G3), and will pick up the services
of Eddie Castro for the first time. BRASS HAT (Prized), who recorded an
authoritative victory in the December 17 Prairie Bayou S. in his second start
back from a near 13-month layoff, also merits serious respect. The Bill
Bradley-trained gelding captured both the Ohio Derby (G2) and Indiana Derby (G2)
in 2004.
Multiple Grade 3 hero ALUMNI HALL (A.P. Indy) will draw support in the
eight-horse field, and Grade 3 victor M B SEA (Alphabet Soup) will enter off a
good fifth in the Clark H. (G2). The New Orleans also marks the graded debut for
MR. TRIESTE (Old Trieste), who has recorded four straight listed wins. The Gary
Cross charge brings an eight-race winning skein into the race.
Brass Hat, who breaks under a 117-pound impost that includes Willie Martinez,
will lead the post parade. Next comes DIXIE MEISTER (Holzmeister), Roman Chapa,
113; M B Sea, Carlos Gonzalez, 115; SILVER AXE (Silver Ghost), James Graham,
114; SANCTUARY’S OMOONI (Sanctuary), Jeffery Burningham, 110; Mr. Trieste, Ken
Tohill, 117; Alumni Hall, Robby Albarado, 116; and West Virginia, 115.