FAIR GROUNDS NOTEBOOK
JANUARY 15, 2010
by Frank Cotolo
The four-program week started on Friday and concluded on Monday, featuring 39
races. All of the races were on the main course, with 10 fewer races than the
week before, and the favorites’ win rate soared to 41 percent. Second and third
choices, some by only pennies, also won races. Perhaps the only answer for the
success of 16 favorites in 39 races is that there were strong horses in good
racing fields.
Surface Report
On Friday, speed was an asset in sprint races at 5 1/2 and six furlongs, with
only one deep closer finding the winner’s circle. Two of the three routes at 1
1/16 miles were won on the top from gate to finish.
Speed continued to perform well from there on; half of Saturday’s races
delivered wire-to-wire wins in sprints and routes, and only one of 11 races was
won by a stalker.
All told, 46 percent of all winners got home first using front speed.
Careful inspection of horses with speed losing because of inner-race dueling
further supports the fact that on a “fast” track it was good to find lone speed
and trust that the speed will carry. Even minor challenges should not discourage
lone speed.
This is good news if it continues to be the case on the main track. It gives
a great advantage to some kinds of horses that the public dismisses, including
horses coming off of a win and stepping up. However, the bias is subject to
change when racing resumes on Friday.
Trainers
Steve Asmussen is the leading trainer at press time in earnings and his
runners’ performances over the four days of racing helped his overall figures.
Team Asmussen won seven events, five more than any other trainer.
Doubling over the four days were Michelle Lovell, Wesley Hawley, Angel
Montano, Michael Stidham, Greg Foley and Par Mouton, who had the only first-time
starter win of the week.
Stakes
This Saturday, Fair Grounds will present another pair of state-bred events,
each worth $60,000 and each at 5 1/2 furlongs on the main track. The Happy
Ticket S., named for one of the greatest Louisiana-breds of all time, is for
fillies and mares three-years-old and up, while the John E. Jackson Jr. Memorial
S. hosts four-year-olds and up.
HORSES TO WATCH
Friday (1/8)
2ND — NOB HILL BANDIT (Oro Bandito) led to the half, dueled and then faded
to third at 18-1 with a smooth inside trip.
5TH — SWEET BAYOU (Storm Day) was burned early in a duel by the half and
still held second well.
9TH — PURE GOLDEN HONEY (Quest) was all out, dueling twice along the way and
getting the lead before being overtaken at 9-1.
Saturday (1/9)
2ND — LODE OF GOLD (Mutakddim) makes the list again even though we give our
Watch horses two tries before crossing them off the list. Though he failed to
break his maiden here, he was claimed for Gary Scherer off a solid third-place
effort. The new connections must be noted as a plus.
5TH — MOYER’S POND (Monarchos) races like his sire, sharply from behind, as
in this event. He was also claimed with promise and goes to the barn of Dan
Smithwick.
Sunday (1/10)
1ST — SUNSHINE SUZIE (Seattle Sleet) won at first crack going 5 1/2 panels
at 19-1, rolling to a 3 1/2-length decision. She looms as definite bet-back
prospect.
4TH — DEEP CANYON (Chester House) had a lot of trouble along the way but put
a winning motion in gear late enough to make the race memorable.
Monday (1/11)
4TH — ADHSILVER (Adhocracy) was not in the mood for racing while looking
good on paper. Being claimed by Tom Amoss should be a wake-up call for her to
come back strongly.