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FAIR GROUNDS NOTEBOOK DECEMBER 13, 2007 by Steve Collison In contrast to last Saturday's card in which all 11 events were stakes, this coming weekend includes just one stakes which comes in the form of the second annual Bobby Diliberto Memorial H. This affair is a guaranteed $60,000 event for three-year-olds and up going 1 1/16 miles over the turf. As for the extravaganza just concluded, what more can be said about the awesome performance by COSTA RISING (Royal Strand [Ire]) that hasn't already been said. Even though he was expected to win as the odds-on favorite, the ease with which he demolished his field was startling. Said jockey Robby Albarado, "All I did was hand ride him. It was very, very easy." Costa Rising now has won 14-of-22 lifetime starts while accumulating a career bankroll of more than $860,000. TOP TRAINERS Steve Asmussen: 11 wins TRAINER PROFILE With the elongated Fair Grounds meet continuing well into April, I felt it would be useful to begin highlighting various trainers and jockeys to help handicappers enjoy a better grasp on the relevant personnel. This week, we'll look at consistent veteran Louisiana conditioner PATRICK MOUTON, who has gotten off to a solid start with a 36 percent win rate. Mouton likes to ride several jockeys, with John Jacinto being his main go-to-guy as the tandem currently has hit with six-of-15 starters during this current stand while winning at a 40 percent clip. He also likes to ride Joe Patin, who won aboard K. OTEE (Storm Day) earlier this week. Like most successful trainers, Patrick has several notably strong winning patterns, such as runners going route to sprint (26 percent) and his two-year-olds making starts at the maiden-special weight level (25 percent). He's equally adept with either fillies or colts although is clearly much better with runners going short rather then two-turns. For those looking for a more esoteric factor, watch the last morning drill before one of Mouton's horses runs. That's typically the tip off as to what sort of performance will follow. The better that workout appears, the higher are the chances of success. For example, CAT ANTE (Upping the Ante) won on Thursday for $5,000 following a brief vacation with his last drill being ranked ninth best from 50 workers at the distance. That's quite a move from a bottom dweller when compared to the caliber of horses at the Fair Grounds. TOP JOCKEYS Jamie Theriot: 18-for-63 JOCKEY PROFILE Veteran rider JAMIE THERIOT currently finds himself atop the Fair Grounds standings principally due to the fact that he rides first call for the hot barn of trainer Bret Calhoun. However, what makes Theriot important to a man like Calhoun is that he doesn't lose races for you that are winnable. Theriot doesn't move his horses into difficult positions while at the same time is aggressive enough to strike when the situation merits such. He's equally adept with fillies or colts and is especially useful on younger runners. Jamie is a savvy rider who can provide useful information with two-year-olds which is one reason to watch such a runner when he's aboard for the second go around. If Theriot has a weakness, it's over the grass which is not the ideal surface for him. TRACK SURFACE For the most part, the main track is playing better for runners with a stalking run style who are able to stay slightly off the rail. Whether it's strong enough to call a bias is still premature as runners who should be winning are. It also doesn't hurt that those coming from off the pace have the longest stretch in America in which to run down their rivals. RECENT CLAIMS TO WATCH Thursday (12/6) 3RD -- MEAN DEMAND (Constant Demand), a lightly raced four-year-old gelding, has spent his entire like under the care of the Peek family. He was bred and own by Judy Peek and trained by Martin or Kevin. Now for the first time he gets a new training regimen, which can often wake a horse up whose true potential has been dulled by familiarity. That's not a knock on the Peeks, who have done well with this runner, but a fresh approach by new trainer Greg Sacco could be rewarding. Friday (12/7) 5TH -- ZE LADE (Zuppardo's Prince) came off the shelf to run well despite her connection's poor record with layoffs. After being claimed by trainer Steve Asmussen, we would expect this horse to win at first asking for her new outfit. 7TH -- DEVIN BOUND (Storm Brewing) was claimed away from trainer Cody Autrey in her previous outing when returning from a brief vacation. The astute Autrey wastes no time in taking this four-year-old filly back which signals an animal that is healthy and ready for some top efforts in the near future. Sunday (12/9) 4TH -- THE COOT (In a Walk) failed today after going off as the chalk, but much of the three-year-old's trouble was due to poor racing luck. He was claimed by trainer Tom Amoss, who is off to a strong start here at the Fair Grounds, and The Coot has an excellent chance to rebound for his new high-powered connections. HORSES TO WATCH Thursday (12/6) 5TH -- CC RYDER (American Chance), an honest-running gelding, found the place today going for a nickel behind the heavily favored winner who was dropping down in class. The third-place finisher was also on the plunge, making this one a solid prospect when coming back next time around. 10TH -- LIGHT AND DREAMY (Toolighttoquit) was stretching out in distance while making only her second career start. The two-year-old filly qas compromised, however, when being asked to run over the dull inner portion of this track yet still managed to hold on well for the place. Friday (12/7) 6TH -- JOLIE THE CAT (Tale of the Cat) came off the shelf for Asmussen to win with supreme authority despite being under a hammer-lock for much of the race. This horse has a huge upside and wouldn't rule out a repeat even against stakes company. Saturday (12/8) 8TH -- PANTARA PHANTOM (Stormy Atlantic) is talented two-year-old colt who had won two-of-three starts entering this race for trainer Patrick Mouton, and he would have prevailed once again today if hadn't lost his stride nearing the five-eighths pole. Wasn't able to make up for the resulting lost ground, but still served notice that will be a force to be reckoned with next time out. BEWARE OF THESE Thursday (12/6) 3RD -- HE'S GOT GRIT (Songandaprayer), a one-time graded stakes runner, may have had grit at one time but doesn't now. He suffered a serious injury in August 2006 and spent a year recuperating before returning a few months ago. Dropped into a claimer for the first time and after showing some speed, he "spit the bit" once headed by a rival of lesser class. It's an old and sad story, but this hard knocker has lost his heart and is on his way out the door. He'll be overbet by players believing he has one last hurrah which he doesn’t.
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