Fair Grounds Notebook

FAIR GROUNDS NOTEBOOK

JANUARY 3, 2008

by Steve Collison

Sunday's racing featured an exciting allowance affair in which the Greg Sacco-trained CASINO TRANSACTION (Carson City) prevailed

after stalking the pace

just off the front-running Inomuff (Stravinsky). By laying less

then a length off the early leader, the eventual winner was able to capitalize on the

glib Fair Grounds' racing surface which had been prevalent throughout the week.

The three-year-old filly then was able to hold off the late surge of the Steve

Asmussen-trained Sweet Ambition (Menifee), who came with a strong late charge

but wound up short. Such a late run prior to this week probably would

have produced a winning performance over a much deeper strip that had been

hindering those near the front end. The winner paid $8.20.

On Monday, stakes racing returned as the Louisiana Futurity for two-year-olds

took center stage. To no one's surprise, the Asmussen-trained CUBERA (Cape Canaveral) came home triumphant,

running down pacesetter Doble Quebrado (Ide). The latter was able to hold on gamely until deep

stretch but was simply beaten by a superior opponent on this day. There was an

entirely different scenario in the filly division of the Louisiana Futurity as Patrick

Mouton's first-time starter VERY SUCCESSFUL (In Excess [Ire]) blew away the

competition with a surprisingly powerful wire-to-wire winning performance. Just

by sending out a first-time starter under these circumstances, it was obvious that

the astute Mouton knew what a talented runner he had under his command. "This

is a fast horse and she was ready," jockey John Jacinto said in the

understatement of the day. The resulting $19.60 payoff should be enjoyed because it's

doubtful you'll see this type of price on the filly again.

TRACK SURFACE

As alluded to earlier, with the start of Thursday's (12/27) action, the main

oval had much more spring to it allowing runners near the front end to stay the

course to the wire. On Thursday, four of those leading from the gate were able to

maintain that advantage on their way to wire-to-wire victories, with another four

scoring in stalking fashion within a length or less off the leaders. To be clear,

this wasn't a bias toward front runners by any means, but rather just a fairer

racing surface.

The surface remained this way throughout the week and into the

new year. As for the turf course, racing was taken off the grass on Thursday

then returned for the Friday and Saturday racing cards. However, with rain

returning Saturday night, turf racing was once again suspended for the rest of

the racing week.

RECENT CLAIMS TO WATCH

Friday (12/28)

1ST -- WAR VETERAN (Combat Ready) won today in explosive

fashion. The two-year-old gelding was claimed by trainer Robert Adams, who does well with his younger

runners, and with this timely claim looks to have one with a huge upside.

Saturday (12/29)

2ND -- ROGUE SCHOLAR (Barkerville) turned in a

subpar effort when shipping to the Fair Grounds following an extended vacation.

trainer Cody Autrey claimed the six-year-old gelding anyway for $25,000, which isn't chump change. We suspect the astute Autrey has some insights toward

this old timer and probably has an idea about how to turn things around quickly.

Sunday (12/30)

1ST -- CAN'TSTOPTHISSTORM (Storm Day) isn't

particularly well bred and hadn't been showing much during his morning drills,

but the first-time starter was able to win debut against a group of experienced runners. That may

be curious enough, but he was also claimed by trainer Tom Amoss, who must have zeroed

in on this horse for some unknown reason. Considering the outcome, Amoss

obviously was right about this colt's potential and now looks to have hooked a

good one.

HORSES TO WATCH

Thursday (12/27)

4TH -- LONGHORN (Doneraile Court), who shipped in from Hollywood Park and moved into the

barn of high-powered trainer John Fahey III, turned in a strong performance

despite being forced to race wide throughout. Expect even further improvement

under the tutelage of this top flight conditioner.

Friday (12/28)

8TH -- IRON WORKS PIKE (Five Star Day) made debut today for

trainer Albert Stall and the two-year-old colt made his first start a winning one. However, it wasn't

the fact that he won but rather the heart displayed which stamps him as one to

watch down the rode.

Saturday (12/29)

3RD -- QUIETEST MOMENT (Slew City Slew) had been running in poor form

until shipping south from Woodbine and into the barn of Fahey.

Showed immediate improvement to run second behind the favorite.

4TH -- ROMAN FOOLER (Gulf Storm) has made bold middle moves in her last two

starts before hanging through the

lane. Watch for Asmussen to add blinkers next time to the newly turned

three-year-old filly with

positive results. Wouldn't be surprised to see her going two turns either.

7TH -- WRITTEN IN STONE (Smart Strike) was running in

good form at Woodbine but failed as the chalk in his first start at the Fair Grounds

here. The gelding may not have become acclimated to the warmer weather yet which when combined with stretching out over the turf is a valid excuse. Don't

write him off too soon as can easily bounce back once he adjusts.

Monday (12/31)

4TH -- Doble Quebrado turned in a solid performance in

this $50k stakes event when running second against Cubera, who had

previously gained the place in the $100,000 Louisiana Juvenile. Doble

Quebrado certainly looks capable of knocking out his allowance conditions.

6TH -- STROKE THE TIGER (Smart Strike) filly has looked extremely sharp in all

of her starts thus far over the main oval. She's actually bred

to excel over the green, which is where today's event was suppose to be run. Even

though it came off the turf, she still ran second and figures to be impossible to stop

once she finally making it to her true surface.

7TH -- Very Successful not only demolished this

stakes field while making her career debut, but the fact that Mouton probably knew she would

makes it all the more admirable. The filly easily handled a pair of Asmussen

stakes runners and did so while setting unbelievable fractions throughout. This

was impressive from every angle.

BEWARE OF THESE

Saturday (12/29)

8TH -- PRESIDE (Pulpit), a well-bred runner, had won both starts since coming off

the shelf in November, but trainer Ronnie Werner still didn't move him up in

class. He ran third here while once again not moving up in class and we now expect him to be going the other way for new trainer Danny Angelle.

Monday (12/31)

1ST -- GRACE'S BID (Forty Won) had been away for

nearly two years before returning today. Although the four-year-old filly turned in an encouraging

performance to run second, she has had a history of physical problems and chances

are they will re-surface again quickly. While she obviously has heart and we

wish her well, she'll be overbet on the expectation she'll be moving forward and chances are

better that she's headed in the other direction.

3RD -- D'WILD RIDE (D'wildcat) cost her connections $170,000

yet they entered the youngster for just $25K in her debut today. Beyond that she

sizzled in her morning drills, raising several puzzling questions. Although

she turned in a good effort today to gain the show spot, we simply can't see her

doing much from here on out as the Asmussen stable seldom undersells

their property by this much.

10TH -- BOBBYN BOUIE (Thunder Breeze) was claimed back and typically there's

a good reason to look twice at a runner who is coming back for old connections. In this case, however, trainer Sharon Soileau evidently has more

money then sense as she takes back this four-year-old gelding for $12,500. The

horse hasn't won in 18 previous career starts under the

care of Soileau. Obviously this is an emotional claim as she just loves this

horse and wanted him back which may not be good business sense, but it is commendable

nonetheless.