FAIR GROUNDS NOTEBOOK
MARCH 19, 2010
by Frank Cotolo
March rolled along with spring on the horizon, though a few rainstorms ensued
through the south and northeast, and Fair Grounds racing kept pace with four
more racing programs from March 12 through March 15.
There were 40 races, with eight on the grass and the rest on the main course,
including Saturday’s high-profile dirt route where Rachel Alexandra (Medaglia d’Oro) was defeated.
The public maintained its mighty win percentage with 38-percent victories in
the four programs, all featuring fast conditions on the main course and firm
turf footing.
On the surface
Nothing but speed on the main course would address winning horses. Wire-to-wire winners in league with the close-to-the-pace victories tallied 81
percent of the 40 races. While only 7 percent went wire to wire, the advantage
did not go to the closer but to the stalker, which alone totaled 59 percent of
the wins. Closers won only 19 percent of the time.
The turf winners, on the other hand, came from behind to win 63 percent of
the time, with only two stalker winners and only one wire-to-wire effort.
Trainers
Bret Calhoun continued his high rate of recent winners with three more, tying
him with Tom Amoss for the most winners last week.
Steve Asmussen had only a pair, one which was a first-time starter. Also with
doubles were Joe Duhon, Eric Guillot, Pat Mouton, Don Moran and Andrew McKeever.
HORSES TO WATCH
We have to make note of another big from our Fair Grounds horses-to-watch
list, one that appeared in the January 8. notebook. We liked RUN FOR Z (Kimberlite
Pike) to come back and do well. As we suggest with our horses-to-watch, you
should consider any name on the list in its next two starts no matter where it
races. Run For Z went to Delta Downs and won, paying $43.20.
Here is a list of horses on our lists since the beginning of 2010 which have
finished in the money, showing only win prices:
| BACKTRACK (Grand Slam) | $56 | |
| IN JACK’S MEMORY (Malibu
Moon) |
$4 | |
| TENSAS CAT (Cat Thief) | $6.80, $10.80 | |
| ABELIA (Southern Image) | $4.40 | |
| DEEP CANYON (Chester House) | 2nd, $4.40 | |
| SNAKEBITE KIT (Sky Classic) | $5.80 | |
| INCALZANDO (Giant Causeway) | $3.80 | |
| EVERYBODY LIES (Yes It’s
True) |
2nd | |
| COWBOY POKER (Erlton) | 2nd, out | |
| HANDS ON (Friendly Lover) | 2nd, out | |
| CERTIFIEDNBONAFIED
(Twilight Agenda) |
2nd | |
| WHEELING WINI
(Johannesburg) |
2nd | |
| BETTERTHAN FICTION (Yes
It’s True) |
3rd, 3rd | |
| HITCH YOUR WAGON (Wagon
Limit) |
3rd | |
| WIN BACK (Esplande Ridge) | out, 3rd | |
| HARBIN (Gone West) | out, 3rd | |
| PRINCESS’S NEW MAN (High
Cascade) |
out, 3rd | |
| SUNSHINE SUZIE (Seattle
Sleet) |
3rd | |
| OKIE SOUVENIR (Souvenir
Copy) |
3rd, out |
Friday (3/12)
9TH — FOUR BEARS (Hennessy) dueled all the way around, held for second with
little effort.
Saturday (3/13)
1ST — JOSIAH’S GIRL (Zarbyev) got speedy on the second turn from far back
and challenged at 10-1.
3RD — TASTYFROMTHEGITGO (Easyfromthegitgo) came from far back, closing
against the speed bias.
9TH — UTTERLY COOL (Smoke Glacken) had a fast start to get the lead, held
sway until failing to win a duel, got third.
Sunday (3/14)
1ST — DAWN’S TRIBUTE (Gold Tribute) dueled all the way, rallied between a
pair of horses and picked up the place.
2ND — BEAR’S MARIE (Congaree) led to the half after zooming wide from post
10 at 71-1.
4TH — ALAINA’S AURORA (B. J.’s Mark) was bumped badly at the break, rushed to
the lead by the half, dueled and tired, only to be claimed and wind up in Pat
Mouton’s hands.
Monday (3/15)
4TH — GREEN CASCADE (High Cascade) soared to a good lead but could not win a
duel at 15-1.
6TH — MALAWI (Bwana Charlie) was disappointing as the best part of an entry
but was good enough to be claimed for Gary Scherer.