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FAIR GROUNDS NOTEBOOK DECEMBER 12, 2008 by Steve Collison Stakes Recap Saturday's Pago Hop S. provided some of the most excitement you're ever going to see in any horse race. In a blanket finish, the first six horses under the wire were separated by less than a length, with former claimer LOVE TO TELL (Stage Colony) proving best by a head when it was all said and done. Trained by Mike Burgess, the winner paid a generous $22.60, $10 and $4.40 while covering about one mile over a firm Stall-Wilson turf course in 1:40.44. The meet's leading rider, Francisco Torres, was aboard. "This was a big win for her and for me," Burgess said. "After claiming her for $16,000 (last January at Fair Grounds) as a maiden, I've now won three stakes with her, but this is my first stakes win at Fair Grounds." "I'm very happy for Mike," said Torres, "because this win gives the filly (additional) black type and makes her worth a lot more. When you can beat six horses on the wire and get a win like that, it really means something. Mike has done a fine job with her." Coming Up Past former winners and unusually full fields serve as headliners for the 18th annual Louisiana Champions Day Saturday at Fair Grounds. The richest race of the afternoon is the $150,000 Louisiana Champions Day Classic which is likely to be headed by STAR PRODUCTION (Run Production), who will be ridden by Carlos Gonzalez. Star Production was fourth in last year's Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile and ran in the Super Derby (G2) at Louisiana Downs this fall. He's trained by James "Sweet" Hodges and posted two recent bullet works over this racing surface in the past month. One of Saturday's most competitive events is likely to be the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Turf, featuring 2007 winner WILLEST (Dance Brightly) and the 2006 victor DESERT WHEAT (Wheaton). Jockey Notes Last week we talked about veteran rider E.J. PERRODIN closing in on his 3,000th career winning ride. This week we're talking about him making it. That's quite a feat when considering that barely a year ago he was looking at a career-threatening injury. However, on Friday, Perrodin did manage to win his 3,000th race aboard HE'S ROYAL DEE (Afternoon Deelites) in the 9TH at Fair Grounds. The milestone win came in typical Perrodin fashion, with a last-to-first rally in the stretch to be best by a head at the wire. The winner, trained by his brother-in-law Patrick Mouton, paid $14.60 to win. "If there was any place I wanted to reach this milestone," Perrodin said, "I wanted it to be right here at the Fair Grounds." More than 12 months ago, while sitting on 2,987 career wins, Perrodin sustained a cracked pelvis in a pre-race incident that kept him out of action until this summer. A benefit crawfish boil was organized by Perrodin's fellow riders in March to help the popular reinsman offset medical expenses during the long recovery process. When he finally returned to the saddle, Perrodin won eight races in the latter portion of the Louisiana Downs meet earlier this year and then scored his fifth win of the Fair Grounds meet on Friday. Francisco Torres With racing now going five days a week and most of the serious combatants here, FRANCISCO TORRES continues leading a tough and balanced jockey's race. The veteran rider is at his best when coming from off the pace which plays well when considering the length of the longest stretch run at any American track. While not knocking Torres by any means, I'm curious to see how long this lead will hold up once Albarado and company begin getting their choices of the top mounts stabled here at the Fair Grounds? Just a thought! Track Surface Although for the most part the Fair Grounds racing surface has been fair and balanced, only three horses were able to win wire-to-wire over the main surface from Friday through Sunday. While that could be construed as a bias, I believe it to be a mild one at best. By that I mean, personally speaking, if the best horse in any field happens to be a front runner, I'm not going to ignore them in favor of an inferior off-pace rival. RECENT CLAIMS TO WATCH Thursday (12/4) 7TH -- SEVENTY TWO RENO (Valid Belfast), an underachieving five-year-old gelding, hasn't been able to win for a nickel yet astute trainer Cody Autrey elected to claim him while on the rise today. Why? It's obvious Autrey feels he can improve this one quickly and successfully and doesn't mind paying extra for the opportunity. Friday (12/5) 10TH -- GUARDIANOFTHENORTH (Northern Afleet), a seven-year-old gelding, has developed the annoying habit of hanging once he gets the lead. This is typically corrected by the addition of a full cup blinker which is something you can be sure that new trainer Autrey is sure to try. Watch for this equipment change going first time around for new connections. Sunday (12/7) 4TH -- SILVER DOLLAR SAM (A.P. Delta) was forced to battle for the lead from the outset over a surface that hasn't been kind to those up near the front end. Was claimed by trainer Steve Klesaris, who typically always has a plan in mind before taking on a new runner. HORSES TO WATCH Thursday (12/4) 1ST -- INVISIBLE FORCE (Include), a three-year-old gelding, was coming off a four-month layoff for trainer Patrick Mouton. Despite the time away and being compromised by a plodding pace from a lone front runner, the horse was able to garner the place spot in what was a solid effort that should lead to even better next out. Friday (12/5) 1ST -- CLUB TEJANO (Early Flyer) was going two-turns for the first time and was forced to race very wide around both of those turns. Nonetheless was still able to run second while being beaten by Need a Name (Sir Cherokee), who was dropping down sharply from $50,000 to this $25,000 level. Saturday (12/6) 1ST -- MAYCITYSLEW (Slew City Slew), a five-year-old gelding, returned from a four-month hiatus and has typically always needed some racing before hitting his stride. Still managed to show surprisingly strong turn of speed and looks to be target to find the winner's circle in the near future. Sunday (12/7) 1ST -- EASYFARTHISLADY (Easyfromthegitgo), a three-year-old filly, broke from the extreme outside today and not surprisingly was forced to race wide around both turns. Although failed to hit the board she still ran much better then may appear on paper next time out and should provide value at the windows. BEWARE OF THESE Thursday (12/4) 2ND -- SPREZZATURA (Petionville), a three-year-old colt, made his belated career debut last out for a suspiciously low claiming price. Trainer Tom Amoss couldn't wait to drop him again today and although he won, he had trouble keeping a straight line when breaking from the gate. This is when physical problems become most apparent as a horse with bad wheels has difficulty keeping a straight line when starting from a dead stop. Combined with what we already knew, it would pay to approach this horse with caution from now on. YOUNG BLOODS Thursday (12/4) 4TH -- JUST PLAIN WAYNE (Mutakddim) made her debut today and turned in a deceptively strong performance, especially considering that she doesn't have much in the way of turf breeding. Trainer Michelle Lovell does well with her young runners and can expect a better effort when coming back over the main oval. Friday (12/5) 3RD -- BOUNDLESS BUCKS (Fifty Stars) was making debut today going just six-furlongs although she has nothing but stamina breeding in her blood. It wasn't surprising to see her show little early speed before coming on late, and trainer Steve Asmussen has likely already circled a two-turn event in his condition book for her second career start.
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