Fair Grounds Notebook

FAIR GROUNDS NOTEBOOK

FEBRUARY 23, 2005

by Brian P. Turner

Saturday's Bayou Breeders' Cup H. (G3) highlighted the week's stakes action

at Fair Grounds as a field of eight fillies and mares, four-years-old and up,

went to the post for the 1 1/8-mile turf event. Sister Swank (Skip Away) and

SHADOW CAST (Smart Strike) vied for favoritism in the event with the majority of

the money eventually going into Sister Swank's pool. The pair had faced each

other on more than one occasion in the past and their most recent confrontation

had occurred right here in the Big Easy back in December when Shadow Cast got

the best of her rival by a half-length with a victory in the Pago Hop S.

Shadow Cast then followed that up with a main track score in the Truly Bound

H. on the dirt in January. It was a mild surprise to see her go to the gate on

Saturday as the second choice, which made the $6.80 she paid when crossing the

finish line two lengths the best in the Bayou Breeders' Cup seem to be very

generous indeed. The chestnut began the early stages of the race some seven

lengths off of the lead but gradually began to make up ground and opened up the

stretch for the decisive victory. Outsider Bijou (Cozzene), under a nice ride by

Lonnie Meche, rallied from well off the pace as well to pick up the place, a

neck in front of Sister Swank.

On Sunday, a field of eight fillies and mares contested the Chou Croute H. at

1 1/16 miles on the main track. Amazingly, Spectacular Lisa (Formal Gold) was

sent off as the favorite despite the fact that fellow competitor STORM'S DARLING

(Storm Boot) had defeated her by 11 ½ lengths the last time the two hooked up.

Admittedly, the latter had put in a very lackluster effort since then, finishing

a well beaten fourth in the aforementioned Truly Bound, but in her defense,

Storm's Darling had a solid excuse for that effort as she gave herself a pretty

good jar before the race started while charging the gate. Prior to that, the bay

had reeled off three impressive victories in a row, winning all of her races by

open lengths.

With her gate mishap behind her, Storm's Darling returned to her old form in

the Chou Croute, stalking the early pace before pulling clear in the stretch

drive to hit the wire 6 ¼ lengths in front. Spectacular Lisa managed to hold on

late for the place, a neck in front of Oneofacat (Deputy Minister) in third.

Horses running on or near the pace held the advantage while sprinting on the

main track this week, but route races tended to play pretty fair. As for the

turf, horses coming from off the pace held a distinct advantage in both sprints

and routes.

Steve Asmussen still has an overwhelming lead in the trainer standings as his

50 winners are 19 better than Tom Amoss in second. Gamaliel Vazquez is a close

third, having saddled 27 winners thus far. Robby Albarado's 79 winners give him

a clear advantage in the jockey standings though James Graham and Donnie Meche

are in a close battle for second with 56 and 54 winners, respectively.

HORSES TO WATCH

Thursday (2/17)

7TH – MARSHALL MATT (Silver Deputy) showed a world of improvement in his

first start for new trainer Amoss. After wallowing in the claiming ranks through

the majority of his career, the chestnut jumped up into allowance company in

this event and responded by rallying from last, closing with nice strides in the

stretch, to miss by a neck.

Friday (2/18)

8TH – JAZZY GALLOP (Victory Gallop) spent the first nine races of his career

looking as if he had no idea that the reason he was on the track was to try to

win races, but it looks as if he is finally catching on. The bay followed up his

5 ¾-length score against maiden company in his last start with this solid 3

¾-length victory against optional claiming company in this event.

10TH – MAMBO QUEEN (Kingmambo) put in a respectable effort in her career

debut as she rallied from next to last to finish second in this maiden special

turf event. The dark bay has a solid pedigree for the lawn and should show

improvement in her second attempt over the surface.

Saturday (2/19)

6TH – PARKER VALLEY (Silver Deputy) won this maiden special event by only a

neck, but he appeared to do it easily and could pose a threat in his next start.

9TH – Shadow Cast reeled off her third win in a row in New Orleans in the

Bayou Breeders' Cup and must be respected wherever the connections run her next.

Sunday (2/20)

6TH – I'M CONFEDERATE (Capote's Prospect) was forced to check on the

backstretch in this maiden claiming grass event but recovered well and closed

with a nice turn of foot to miss by a half-length. The five-year-old gelding has

been close in each of his two starts at Fair Grounds and probably won't be

denied much longer.

9TH – Storm's Darling was extremely impressive while returning to her winning

ways in the Chou Croute.

10TH – WIND SURF (Lil's Lad) missed getting her picture taken by only a nose

in this maiden special event. The bay filly rallied from well off the pace,

closing with good energy, and definitely commands respect in her next start.

Side Note: After absolutely dominating the turf competition here in the Big

Easy, Horse to Watch CAPE HOPE (Cape Town) took a trip over to Gulfstream Park

and easily disposed of the competition in the Gaily Gaily S. by two lengths on

Sunday. Trainer Dallas Stewart has a nice grass runner in this one and Cape Hope

should be respected wherever her travels take her next.

Monday (2/21)

8TH – POPULARIZE (Pulpit) put in a nice effort in his first start for new

trainer Amoss as he rallied from well off the pace in this 5 ½-furlong turf

sprint to miss by three parts of a length. The gelding has the appearance of one

that may appreciate a stretch out.