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FAIR GROUNDS NOTEBOOK NOVEMBER 29, 2008 by Steve Collison Thanksgiving Day SOK SOK (Trippi) rallied in the late stages before drawing off to a 3 1/4-length victory in the 83rd running of the $60,000 Thanksgiving H. on Thursday. Ridden by Brian Hernandez Jr. and trained by Steve Asmussen, the three-year-old colt ran the six furlong-distance in 1:09.98 and returned mutuels of $12.40, $5.80 and $3.20. The effort increased his career earnings to $215,043 while winning his fourth race in seven career starts. "I had a lot of horse," Hernandez said, "so I just saved ground and look around for the favored ROI MAUDIT (Elusive Quality). When I found some running room -- he was gone." Asmussen tied his own record for training wins in a year with his 555th winner of 2008 in last Saturday's 10TH race at Fair Grounds, then broke the mark the next afternoon at Remington Park. Coming Up MAMBO IN SEATTLE (Kingmambo), who missed by the slimmest of noses in the Travers S. (G1), is the showcase star and 2-1 morning-line choice for the Saturday's 44th running of the $60,000 Tenacious H. The Neil Howard trainee must shoulder the top impost of 120 pounds to be contested at 1 1/16 miles over the Crescent City oval with jockey Corey Lanerie making up most of that assignment. Following a dynamic performance at Saratoga in August, Mambo in Seattle lacked running room and finished fourth in Belmont's Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) on September 27 and was a wide-running seventh in Keeneland's Fayette H. (G3) on October 25. Capable of providing strong competition for Mambo in Seattle, and second choice at 4-1 on the Tenacious morning line, is SECRET GETWAY (Skip Away), who also was the victim of a wide trip in the Fayette, finishing 1 1/4 lengths in front of Mambo when fifth that day. Secret Getaway's trainer, Michael Stidham, says of his top rated rival, "If he runs his race, nobody's going to beat him." Jockey Notes Just one year after veteran jockey Elvis "E.J." Perrodin was seriously injured on opening weekend here during last season's meet, the revered Louisiana-born reins man returned to the saddle with a winning ride astride LEESA LEE (Leestown) in Sunday's $52,000 featured sprint. It was a triumphant moment for several reasons. First, the 51-year-old veteran known affectionately as "T-Joe" is so highly regarded on the Louisiana circuit that a benefit crawfish boil organized by fellow Cajun riding star Robby Albarado and other members of the local colony toward the end of last season raised more than $20,000 on his behalf. At the time, Perrodin attended the event while using a walker. Also, Leesa Lee, is trained by his brother-in-law Pat Mouton, which added to the special moment. "When I first started back, I felt like a mushroom," Perrodin said, "because my doctors didn't want me to do any physical activity until my injuries healed. They didn't even want me to do any dancing - nothing other than walking. My legs felt like noodles." Jockey FRANSICO TORRES has gotten off to a strong start here at the Fair Grounds to lead the proceedings at this early date. Only time will tell if he can stay there once Churchill Downs ends and many other top riders come to New Orleans. Standings: Trainer Notes Trainer CODY AUTREY has started out on fire at the new meet, winning with 6-of-13 starters for a healthy 46-percent success rate. He's followed closely by last year's leader, Asmussen, along with an equally hot Bill Mott. Mott has three winners from just seven starters and we can expect him to stay this way as his stable has many tough grass horses begging for action. Trainer Profile We mentioned last week that Autrey had posted several wins with first time starters bred by Dr. Rebecca Byrum. That was noteworthy for several reasons not the least of which is the fact that Autrey is typically ineffective with his debut runners. What he is effective with are his first time off the claim runners who win at a 30-percent clip. Autrey is very aggressive with his newly claimed runners and does even better with this pattern when dropping runners first time back wearing his silks. Amazingly this move manages to show a flat bet profit so even though you won't get rich, there's still a profit to be had. This coincides with Autrey's overall operation that loves to win with runners dropping in class even after they've just won. In fact, this is a move that wins nearly 40-percent of the time and can be put to good use in keying the exotics. RECENT CLAIMS TO WATCH Friday (11/21) 2ND -- We usually steer away from horses claimed from Tom Amoss' operation, because it's hard to improve upon perfection, but if he has an Achilles' Heel it's with two-year-olds. TAPIT AGAIN (Tapit) was taken by trainer Edward Johnson, whose strong suit is two-year-olds, and this looks like a positive change of address with a potentially strong upside. HORSES TO WATCH Sunday (11/23) 1ST -- MINDTRIP (Olmodavor), a lightly raced filly, battled for the lead throughout while being forced to race wide. Nonetheless still managed to defeat all but one and that rival was dropping down sharply in class. Can easily find the winner's circle next out although price may be lacking. 3RD -- ALLIGATOR BAYOU (Smoke Glacken), a three-year-old colt, was making his belated career debut today but hadn't really shown much during morning drills. Yet, he was still heavily backed at the windows meaning that someone must believe he has some talent. Didn't really show that today but frequently this type of runner rebounds going second time around. Thursday (11/27) 3RD -- WITH ATTITUDE (With Approval) is a perfect illustration as to why the rail slot is bad for a first time starter. Horse broke slowly and was immediately hemmed in for most of the rest of his trip. Still never shied away, which is a positive attribute to demonstrate, and Asmussen hits at a high-percentage going second time around. BEWARE OF THESE Thursday (11/27) 4TH -- ATLANTIC RIDER (Stormy Atlantic) cost his connections $70,000, but they can't seem to drop him in class quick enough. Today for $25,000, he had every opportunity to win but decided against it. Will continue dropping in class until is gone. YOUNG BLOODS Thursday (11/27) 3RD -- CAJUN PERSUASION (Orientate), a first-time starter, was somewhat ranks during the post parade and when the gates opened he went full tilt. Not surprisingly faded but still managed to hold on for the show. This horse has solid turf breeding and wouldn't be surprised to see him come back successfully going in a short grass sprint.
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