Fair Grounds - 12/30

FAIR GROUNDS NOTEBOOK

DECEMBER 30

by Brian P. Turner

The holiday season brought an abbreviated week of racing at Fair Grounds, but

the racing officials at the New Orleans track did their best to celebrate

Christmas in style by offering four stakes races over the course of the three

days of racing. The action kicked off on Thursday as a field of 10 fillies and

mares were scheduled to contest the Furl Sail H. The field dropped by three,

however, once the race was switched from the lawn to the main track, leaving a

field of seven for the 1 1/16-mile event.

CHANCE DANCE (American Chance) put in a stellar performance by stalking the

pace early before dropping back to last and then closing resolutely through the stretch drive to claim the

victory. Fun House (Prized) vied for the lead throughout and opened up a solid

two-length lead in the stretch before being run down late and coming up a

half-length short of the winner, but six lengths clear of Kitty's Legend

(Souvenir Copy) in third.

On Friday, a mere field of six two-year-olds went to the gate for the

six-furlong Sugar Bowl H. The Overbrook Farm-owned STORM SURGE (Storm Cat)

looked impressive as he stalked the pace early on before taking over in the

stretch drive to cross the finish line 2 1/4 lengths in front, posting a very

solid 100 BRIS Speed rating in the process. Santana Strings (Wheaton) rallied

from off the pace to pick up the place, two lengths clear of favored Razor

(Concorde's Tune) in third.

On Sunday, a field of eight Bayou-bred two-year-olds went to the gate for the

filly division of the Louisiana Futurity. Favored THE BETER MAN CAN (Lord Avie)

rewarded the chalk players by stalking the pace early before opening up in the

stretch drive and easily cruising home to a 6 1/4-length victory. Lil Cream Puff

(Lil's Lad) rallied from off the pace to pick up the place, a neck in front of

46-1 outsider Pale Satin (Slew City Slew) in third.

Also on Sunday came the colt and gelding division of the Louisiana Futurity

as a field of nine Bayou-bred two-year-olds, including one coupled entry,

contested the six-furlong event. WITNESS TO A FIGHT (Fit To Fight) overcame a

troubled start to stalk the pace through the early stages before opening up late

to hit the wire 1 1/4 lengths in front. Heavily favored Smilin Fine (Finest

Hour), one half of the coupled entry, picked up the place, a head in front of

Betnow (Pine Bluff) in third.

Horses on or near the pace dominated the sprint races on the main track this

week but the routes tended to play pretty fair. As for the turf, all of the

week's races were moved to the main track except for Friday's where the lone

sprint and the lone route were won by horses coming from off the pace.

Tom Amoss is still maintaining a lead in the trainer standings as his 11

winners is two better than Steve Asmussen in second. Dallas Stewart is in third

with seven winners for the meet. As for the jockeys, Robby Albarado still has a

clear lead with 30 winners thus far. Corey Lanerie is in second with 20 followed

by Lonnie Meche with 15.

HORSES TO WATCH

Thursday (12/23)

3RD – SIBERIAN AMUR (Charismatic) made her career debut an impressive one by

rallying from last and finishing with good energy through the stretch to take

this maiden special event by 2 1/2 lengths. Asking a first-time starter to

handle 1 1/16 miles is never an easy task, but the chestnut did it with ease.

7TH – CANDID GLEN (El Gran Senor) returns to the Watch List though he

finished second in this optional-claiming event that was originally scheduled

for the lawn. The seven-year-old gelding was making only his second lifetime

start over a track listed as fast and put in a very solid effort in picking up

the place. A return to the lawn next out should yield a return to the winner's

circle.

9TH – Chance Dance put in a nice performance in taking the Furl Sail and

should loom as a solid threat in her next start, especially if it comes on the

grass.

Friday (12/24)

6TH – WAVE THE SWORD (Sword Dance [Ire]) never really got into the swing of

things in this optional-claiming event as he raced wide throughout to finish

fifth. In all fairness though, this was the bay's first start in well over a

year and trainer Dan Peitz is never known for having his horses ready to fire

off the lay off. On the bright side though, both of the six-year-old horse's

career victories have come over this very turf course and, with a start now

under his belt, he could prove to be tough to handle in his next start at what

should be a very square price.

9TH – Storm Surge ended his two-year-old season on a very positive note and

appears to be one to pay attention to as he enters his three-year-old season.

Sunday (12/26)

9TH – JAGUAR CITY (Slew City Slew) had been on a roll through 2004, compiling

a record of 7-3-3-0 for the year. The four-year-old filly easily disposed of

this optional-claiming field by taking the lead out of the gate and never

looking back, crossing the finish line four lengths clear of the field.