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FAIR GROUNDS NOTEBOOK MARCH 26, 2010 by Frank Cotolo March is coming to an end and the current Fair Grounds meet concludes on March 28. This means two major things: a great weekend of stakes, including the New Orleans track's centerpiece event, the $750,000 Louisiana Derby (G2). A list of the Saturday and Sunday main events are below, with comments from information available at press time. The penultimate week added a special St. Patrick's Day program on March 17 and picked up the weekend programs on Friday, running a total of five days last week. Those programs totaled 49 races, 10 on the turf. Even adding the extra program, the public maintained a sharp 37-percent winning average on both surfaces at all distances. The best day for the top choices was March 22 when five of 10 winners were chalk. On the surface Favorable weather conditions dominated the extended week and the main track offered a level-playing field for the most part. On the main track, approximately 27-percent of the races, in sprints and routes, were garnered wire-to-wire and about 27-percent were captured by deep closers. The turf races were exceptionally biased to closers, with eight of the 10 events being win from off the pace. Trainers As the meet goes into the final week, Michelle Lovell and Pat Mouton tied for the most wins last week with three apiece. Closely following was a stream of doublers: Albert Stall, Cody Autry, Keith Desormeux, Eric Guillot, Morris Nicks, Bernie Flint, Bred Calhoun and Tim Glyshaw. Stakes The stakes action begins Friday with the $300,000 Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) for sophomore fillies at 1 1/16 miles. We like MAMBO FEVER (Stormin Fever) in this evenly-weighted route. Also that day, three $75,000 stakes are on the docket. The Bayou Breeders' Cup H. for fillies and mares will be contested at about 1 1/8 miles on the turf. Distaffers will also combat the Bienville at 5 1/2 panels on the grass. And state-bred sophomore fillies will go a mile in the Crescent City Oaks. Saturday is top heavy with a trio of Grade-2 affairs, headed by the $750,000 Louisiana Derby at 1 1/8 miles. The Kentucky Derby (G1) prep is arguably a tight contest. We like local-trainer Tom Amoss' RON THE GREEK (Full Mandate) in what could be more than a mild upset. The $300,000 Mervin H. Muniz Jr. Memorial H., on the turf for four-and-ups, will be held at nine furlongs on the turf. Dale Romans' YATE'S BLACK CAT (Black Minnaloushe) is the fourth choice on the morning line but our first. And the $300,000 New Orleans H. will be held on the main track for older horses at 1 1/8 miles. Bill Mott's HOLD ME BACK (Giant's Causeway) is our fancy here. Also on the card is the $75,000 Crescent City Derby for state-bred sophomores at 1 1/16 miles; the $75,000 Duncan F. Kenner Breeders' Cup S. for three-and-ups at six panels; and the $60,000 Grindstone on the turf for sophomores, going just short of a mile. HORSES TO WATCH We gave you two horses from past Lists that returned and scored well this past week. Both of them had raced once since being on the list (we give all horses, remember, two starts). BURT'S A STITCH (Jump Start) won and paid $23.80. COUNTRY DAY (Speightstown) won and paid $16. Wednesday (3/17) 2ND -- MISS ACAPULCO (Malibu Wesley) returns to our List due to a strong run with two moves at 4-1. 6TH -- OCONEE (Congaree) lost 10 lengths on a wild lead at 17-1 and with speed controls could wipe up soon. Friday (3/19) 5TH -- GREY IDE MAN (Ide) was on top until the stretch, showing good speed at an overlooked 4-1. 9TH -- STRIVING (Strive) looked best but had tough going from the 11 post to only finish third. Saturday (3/20) 6TH -- SPEAK OF KINGS (Announce) was second at 6-1 with a good move to the top at the stretch drive. 8TH -- SARAH'S BEST DAY (Storm Day) was wide breaking from post 10 and close up to loom a threat to midstretch. Sunday (3/21) 3RD -- AUTRY (Wagon Limit) was the best here but ruined by a duel. 5TH -- BRAVO PRADO (El Prado [Ire]) debuted on fire, leading to the half and finishing third at 7-1. Monday (3/22) 5TH -- SPRIGHTLY STAR (Pioneering) led comfortably to the half, tired at three-quarters, displaying promise at 16-1. 9TH -- PHOSPHORESCENT (Rock Slide) dueled from the quarter to the stretch, tiring but looking best going into it.
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