FAIR GROUNDS NOTEBOOK
FEBRUARY 21, 2008
by Steve Collison
We mentioned last week that reigning Horse of the Year CURLIN (Smart Strike)
would be heading to Dubai for the World Cup (G1) which will be held on March 29
in the United Arab Emirates. He shipped out this week along with Scott Blasi,
trainer Steve Asmussen’s chief assistant, for the long journey that stopped off
first in South Florida before moving overseas to Nad al Sheba. In a final Fair
Grounds work on Monday morning, Curlin breezed seven furlongs in a sizzling
1:23.60 — the only move recorded at that distance on that work tab. Curlin has
not raced since his winning effort in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) on October
27, but he’s been conspicuous on the local worktab in recent weeks.
Louisiana Derby Notes
In other news, BLACKBERRY ROAD (Gone West), a troubled fifth in the Risen
Star S. (G3) last Saturday, will stay around to compete in the Louisiana Derby
(G2) on March 8, Dogwood Stables president Cot Campbell confirmed Thursday.
Blackberry Road ran a fast-closing second in Fair Grounds’ Lecomte S. (G3)
before his difficult run in the Risen Star.
Another top contender, TALE OF EKATI (Tale of the Cat), worked a bullet five
furlongs in :59 handily Thursday morning at Palm Meadows and remains on course
for an anticipated start return here in the Derby. He previously captured the
Futurity (G2) at Belmont last September before finishing fourth in the Breeders’
Cup Juvenile (G1). The Barclay Tagg trainee will make his sophomore bow in the
Fair Grounds’ showcase event.
Bayou Handicap
Despite losing its Grade 3 ranking for this year’s 40th anniversary edition,
Saturday’s $150,000 Bayou H. for grass-favoring older fillies and mares is
shaping up to be a strong contest. French-bred JUST LITTLE (Fr) (Grand Slam) is
entered in the nine-furlong event. Now in the barn of four-time Eclipse
Award-winning trainer Todd Pletcher, she finished sixth in her North American
debut last July but was beaten less than four lengths for all of it in the
American Oaks (G1). Others in the Bayou include AUTOBAHN GIRL (A.P. Indy), a
two-time stakes winner at this meet, including last month’s Marie Krantz
Memorial H.
TRACK SURFACE
This racing trip has been favoring off pace runners for much of the week
until a sloppy surface on Sunday over which speed had some success. However, a
drying out strip Monday once again made the main oval extremely dull with no one
being able to win on the front end. In fact, the surface was so dead that in the
featured allowance race TEPEXPAN (Indian Charlie), who was the only speed in a
four-horse field, couldn’t sustain his early lead despite an opening quarter of
:25 followed by a plodding half in :50.
NOTES
Trainer John Fahey III has always been one of my personal favorites due in
large part to his high-percentage win rate which always makes me happy. It is
therefore extremely confusing to find him slumping to the tune of one-for-49
right now. I don’t pretend to know why he’s struggling like this right now, but
once he begins winning watch for a scorching hot streak. Often a barn has sick
horses who aren’t sick enough to stop racing, but are still unable to perform up
to their ability. It’s like you or me having a slight cold and although we go to
work, we’re not at our best. Once they are on the mend, their poor recent form
allows a conditioner to drop them in claiming price without fear of losing them
and suddenly you have $25,000 animals beating $10,000 ones and a winning streak
is born.
TRAINER PROFILE
LARRY JONES has been around for many years, but it wasn’t until Hard Spun hit
the big time with a series of huge efforts along the Triple Crown trail that
people began taking notice. This likable and non-apologetic cowboy demonstrated
his class when refusing to blame Mario Pino for what was a questionable ride
aboard Hard Spun in the Preakness (G1). It wasn’t until his owner insisted on
making a change did Jones take Pino off for the Belmont (G1) and was
subsequently proven right when Garrett Gomez failed to do any better.
Ironically, although it was a colt that brought this man’s talents to the
forefront, Jones is actually far better with his fillies and his record
indicates as much.
Phenomenally, Jones shows a flat bet profit with all his fillies over the
past six seasons, a truly remarkable accomplishment considering we’re talking
more than 1,000 starters. His young fillies who are being asked to navigate two
turns for the first time fair very well as do those coming off extended layoffs.
Watch the morning drills as Jones will tips off his eventual winners by having
then go progressively faster in their a.m. moves until the latest one is a
blistering five furlongs probably from the gate. And while sometimes these
runners get bet down it is encouraging to know that Larry’s runners perform up
to expectations so playing his favorites isn’t a bad move. On the other side,
grass racing isn’t this stable’s forte, and I’m very selective about what Jones
runners I play over the lawn if any at all.
RECENT CLAIMS TO WATCH
Thursday (2/14)
1ST — TEE’S BEST MAN (Lil E. Tee) could almost have been put on the “beware”
list if not for the fact he was claimed today by trainer Francine Walder who has
the ability to turn underachievers like this one around quickly.
2ND — COPING (Ide), a bottom dweller, won today despite being forced to race
extremely wide around the first turn and into the backstretch. Was claimed by
trainer Morris Nicks, and it wouldn’t be much of a stretch to see this one
repeating.
Friday (2/15)
2ND — CONSLOLO (Private Terms) came off the shelf dropping in class for a
weak trainer and equally weak rider. Still managed to gain the place in a
determined effort while being claimed by Sam David. Since this horse is still
eligible for conditioned claimer, he should be able to knock out that condition
for new connections.
6TH — TRICK LANTERN (Confide), a six-year-old gelding, has been running
moderately well going for a weak operation and now gets claimed by trainer Keith
Bourgeois. Even though this stable isn’t hitting on all cylinders either, I
suspect this horse will show marked improvement in coming weeks ahead.
Monday (2/18)
1ST — LISSA’S STAR (Valid Expectations) turned a solid effort going first
time off the claim by slumping trainer Keith Desormeaux. Was claimed once again
today by Alvin Sidler and wouldn’t be surprised to see this horse visiting the
winner’s circle next out.
5TH — GO ATM (Fifty Stars) was claimed back by Asmussen, who took her back
after losing her in her previous outing. Would suspect that he sees a bright
future ahead, and we see no reason to argue.
HORSES TO WATCH
Friday (2/15)
7TH — CABAZON (Chester House), a five-year-old gelding, hasn’t been able to
find the winner’s circle in 15 previous starts. Still didn’t find it once again
today, but did turn in an encouraging effort after adding blinkers and finished
a strong second behind the heavy chalk.
Sunday (2/17)
2ND — BIG HERM (Editor’s Note), typically a speedy horse, was shut off at
the start and trailed this large field for much of the early going. That in
itself doesn’t mean much, but the fact that he wasn’t content to simply look at
the scenery and instead was coming on through the lane illustrates a older
runner who’s feeling good which translates into good things soon.
7TH — PATHOLOGIST (Gone West), a well bred and lightly raced four-year-old
filly, came off an extended five-month hiatus last out to just miss in a gallant
performance. Turned in another solid effort this time around despite being
compromised when forced to chase lone speed who was benefiting from a soft
tempo. That rival also enjoyed the breeding of a duck and obviously was loving
the off racing surface. This horse is ready to pounce in a big way.
Monday (2/18)
1ST — REGWELL (Silver Charm) was in the first race of the day and it’s
doubtful this gelding’s rider understood just how dead the surface actually was,
which helps account for the swift early fractions. Horse still performed well
and will do much better under better circumstances next out.
2ND — STRANGER BEE (Finder’s Gold), a three-year-old colt, made his debut
today at the $12,500 level, but the two who finished ahead of him were dropping
down substantially. Still managed to turn in a solid performance for trainer
James Hodges, who after a horrible start here at the Fair Grounds appears to be
coming around.
BEWARE OF THESE
Friday (2/15)
3RD — IMAHONKYTONKGIRL (Kipper Kelly) appears to have won in powerful
wire-to-wire fashion on paper, but in reality there were only two other
speedsters in this contest. One of those ended up a late scratch, and the other,
Tempered Storm (Pulling Punches), was unwisely taken back off the pace by jockey
James Graham, who assumed the eventual winner would be backing up on his own as
he had in the past. The combination of these lucky factors had the sun, moon and
stars aligned to give this horse the win, and it’s unlikely to happen again.
Monday (2/18)
8TH — I’M INCREDIBLE TOO (Stormy Atlantic) dropped considerably in class
when coming off the shelf prior to latest which automatically raises questions.
Now despite stepping up in class today faltered badly through the lane, and
we’ll have to see which way the wind blows next time. If Jones drops her back
down sharply, we’d avoid her at all costs.
9TH — TEXEXPAN (Indian Charlie) was racing over a dull surface, but no horse
should lose after walking through the slow fractions this one did, especially
considering there was just three other rivals. If he can’t win with this
scenario, what does it take? No rivals at all?