Fair Grounds Notebook

FAIR GROUNDS NOTEBOOK

January 26

by Brian P. Turner

A single listed stakes race highlighted the week's racing action at Fair

Grounds as a field of six fillies and mares, four-years-old and upward, went to

the gate for the 1 1/16-mile Truly Bound H. on Saturday. Storm's Darling (Storm

Boot) was sent to the post as the narrow favorite and appeared to be well worthy

of her role. The four-year-old filly had reeled off three solid victories in a

row, including her latest effort here in the Big Easy on January 7 where she led

an optional claiming field from gate to wire for a devastating 11-½ length

victory.

Standing in her way was the Neil Howard-trained SHADOW CAST (Smart Strike),

who will be best remembered by followers of Fair Grounds racing as the heroine

of the Silverbulletday S. (G2) here last February. In her most recent effort,

the chestnut pulled off a bit of an upset by rallying from off the pace for a

neck victory in the Pago Hop S. here on the lawn on December 18.

Storm's Darling's chances were compromised before the race even began as she

gave herself a bit of a jolt by charging the gate. Once the doors sprang open

though, she came out well and stalked pacesetter Miss Confusion (Miswaki)

through early fractions of :23 3/5 and : 47 1/5 before briefly wrestling the

lead away on the final turn. Once the field hit the stretch though, Storm's

Darling tired badly and finished a distant fourth.

In the end, Shadow Cast proved best under a solid ride by Robby Albarado,

rallying from next to last and closing four wide in the stretch to get up late

for the half-length decision over the Overbrook Farm-owned Family Business

(Saint Ballado). After setting the early pace, Miss Confusion flattened a bit

but held on for the show, a full 10 lengths behind the top pair.

Steve Asmussen opened up a bit of breathing room atop the trainer

standings as his 27 winners leave him five ahead of Tom Amoss in second.

Gamaliel Vazquez is currently third with 19. Albarado still possesses a

commanding lead in the jockey standings having booted home 59 winners thus

far. Corey Lanerie and James Graham are in a tie for second with 35 winners

each.

Horses running on or near the pace dominated the sprint races on the main

track this week and they held a slight advantage in the routes as well. As for

the turf, those near the pace fared best in the sprints while the routes were

ruled by horses coming from off the pace.

HORSES TO WATCH

Thursday (01/20)

6TH – BETNOW (Pine Bluff) was wide through the early stages of this

Bayou-bred maiden special event. Once the field hit the second turn, the bay

then found himself with nowhere to run. Once he finally found a way through, he

finished with good energy to come up a neck short.

9TH – DYNAREIGN (Dynaformer) dwelled near the back of the pack in this 7 ½

furlong turf event, but he really came to life in the stretch and closed with a

solid turn of foot to finish third. The bay was making his first start since

November and should loom a solid threat, especially if he stretches

out.

Friday (01/21)

10TH – LISA'S GOLD (Touch Gold) returned from a seven-month vacation in fine

form. After dueling for the early lead, the chestnut responded well when

challenged in the stretch before giving in late to miss by a neck. With a race

under her belt, the four-year-old filly looms a solid threat to break her maiden

in her next start.

Saturday (01/22)

9TH – Shadow Cast has reeled off a pair of listed stakes victories in New

Orleans and may be ready for a return to graded company.

Sunday (01/23)

6TH – OVER THE BORDER (Wagon Limit) looked extremely impressive in her career

debut as she stalked the early pace before opening up in the stretch drive to

hit the wire 2 ¼ lengths in front. Trainer Rebecca Maker is generally not known

for having her runners completely wound up in their first start, which makes

this one all the more intriguing.

Monday (01/24)

6TH – VENT YOURSELF (The Name's Jimmy) is now a perfect two-for-two in her

short career after taking this state-bred allowance event by 6 ¾ lengths. The

four-year-old filly laid just off the early pacesetter but still had plenty left

in the stretch as she found another gear and easily cruised home in front.