Louisiana Derby J

AMERICAN
GRADED STAKES PREVIEWS

FRIESAN FIRE (A.P. Indy) will attempt to sweep the trio of graded events for
sophomores at Fair Grounds in Saturday’s $600,000 Louisiana Derby (G2). The
Larry Jones trainee has bagged the Lecomte S. (G3) and Risen Star S. (G3)
leading up to this, and we’re going to give him the nod in this deep contest.
The stoutly bred sophomore most impressed in his latest when he bullied his way
through traffic prior to drawing off late in a fine performance, and he should
only improve over time if his pedigree is any indication. Gabriel Saez will be
in the irons atop the morning-line choice, who zipped a bullet five-eighths in
preparation for this event.

PAPA CLEM (Smart Strike) ran a huge one when second in the Robert B. Lewis S.
(G2) on Santa Anita’s Pro-Ride, and the improving colt will make his dirt debut
on this occasion. The bay has been working well and might be the one to run down turning for home. Rafael Bejarano, who has ridden the talented colt in
his past two, makes the trip
for this test.

SOUL WARRIOR (Lion Heart) had a brutal trip in the Risen Star and enters this
as a possible dark horse for Steve Asmussen. The colt was a smart maiden winner
over this oval two back and will be equipped with blinkers for his second stakes
try, and we like the fact that Asmussen’s number one rider, Shaun Bridgmohan,
opts to ride this one.

The much-hyped PATENA (Seeking the Gold) was a closing second to our top dog
in the Lecomte, which prompted a private purchase and a trainer switch to
Richard Dutrow. The colt, who bagged the Display S. at Woodbine two back, fired
a bullet five panels in advance of this but is sure to be overbet and we’ll let
him beat us on this occasion. Robby Albarado has the mount on the exotics
threat.

FREE COUNTRY (Big Country) went from an unbeaten Kentucky
Derby (G1) candidate to 12-1 in this field due to a poor showing over the quirky
Tampa Bay oval in the Sam F. Davis S. (G3). We’re not sure exactly what to make
of the talented sophomore, but we wouldn’t blame anyone taking a shot on him at
big odds and under Kent Desormeaux from the rail. Note that the Ken McPeek
charge adds blinkers.

Risen Star third UNO MAS (Macho Uno) has already put in a quartet of races
over this strip at the meet, but he’ll need better than he has shown in order to
vie for the win in this one. The ultra-consistent sophomore has run only one subpar race in his career, and while his ceiling might be much lower than his
counterparts, we can never count him out to hit the board at a price.

TERRAIN (Sky Mesa) has an excellent two-year-old campaign and picked a tough
spot to make his sophomore bow for Albert Stall Jr. The gelding, who closed for fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) in an excellent showing, may be
better on the synthetic and we’ll give him one off the bench.

GIANT OAK (Giant’s Causeway), second in the Kentucky Jockey Club S. (G2) in
his juvenile finale, endured a tough trip in the Risen Star and is eligible for
improvement on this day. The long-striding Chris Block charge has earned solid 100
and 102 BRIS Late Pace figures in his two dirt outings, but unless the early
types falter in the lane, he’ll be closing for a minor award.

FLYING PEGASUS (Fusaichi Pegasus) ran a big one when second in the Risen Star
off a lengthy break for Ralph Nicks, and the colt takes the next logical step
against this field. Never worse than second in four lifetime outings, the dark
bay got a much better draw than he received in the Risen Star, but he’s facing
better and he’s a candidate to bounce in our minds.

NOWHERE TO HIDE (Vindication) has been a very steady customer for conditioner
Nick Zito, but will scratch in favor of Saturday’s Tampa Bay Derby (G3).