Fair Grounds Notebook

FAIR GROUNDS NOTEBOOK

JANUARY 30, 2009

by Steve Collison

Recap

GET RICH QUICK (Seeking The Gold)) posted his second straight win at Fair

Grounds when he circled the early leaders in the stretch to capture Sunday's

allowance/optional claiming feature by a half-length.

Ridden by Miguel Mena and trained by Malcolm Pierce, the winner paid $10.20,

$6.20 and $3.40. He covered about 1 1/16 miles over the firm turf course in

1:44.93 and increased his career earnings to $154,491 while earning his fourth

win in 16 starts.

STORMY WEST (Gone West) remained perfect in three stakes starts here this

season when she captured the $60,000 Marie G. Krantz Memorial H. for older

fillies and mares. Allowed to settle behind the early leaders, she moved to the

outside at the top of the lane and withstood late challenges the rest of the way

to capture the 14th running of the Krantz. Earlier in the meet, she topped a

similar field by three-quarters of a length in the Furl Sail H. on December 27

and captured the Blushing K.D. H. on opening day, November 14.

Trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott, she paid $4.80, $2.60 and $2.40 and

accomplished the about 1 1/16-mile distance over the grass course in 1:44.96.

"I knew the top two would come back to me," said winning jockey Patrick

Valenzuela, who has been aboard for all three of Stormy West's victories this

meet. "At the top of the lane I just let her loose. She's very consistent."

Coming Up

Louisiana Derby Preview Day February 7

Lecomte S. (G3) winner FRIESAN FIRE (AP Indy) and third-place

finisher AU MOON (Malibu Moon) head the list of three-year-olds under consideration

for the $200,000 Risen Star S. (G3) on February 7. The Risen Star is

the final major local prep for the big event, the $600,000

Louisiana Derby (G2) on March 14, and is one of six stakes -- four of them Grade 3

events -- on Louisiana Derby Preview Day.

California Racing

There has been notification by the Thoroughbred Owners of California that

they have once again given authorization for the Los Angeles Turf Club (Santa

Anita) and Pacific Racing Association (Golden Gate) to transmit the signals of

their races to the Fair Grounds. How nice!! You would think that one day all of

the powers involved with this kind of nonsense would eventually put us first but

that somehow seems beyond their grasp. However, we will now be able to start

wagering on Santa Anita and Golden Gate once again at Fair Grounds for those

still interested. They apologized for any inconvenience caused by last week's

disruption.

Jockey Notes

Hat Tricks all around!! Brian Hernandez scored a riding triple Saturday to

move into a tie with Robby Albarado for third place in the local jockey

standings. Both Hernandez and Albarado rode a winner apiece on Sunday to remain

on even terms with 38 winners entering Monday's program. The meet's leading

rider, James Graham, was at 43 entering Monday's program, while current runner-up

and defending champion Jamie Theriot was at the 40. Veteran rider Jesus Castanon

also scored a "hat trick" on Friday to move into a tie with Valenzuela

for 10th in the standings with 17 winners apiece.

Trainer Notes

Trainer Joe Pennino, who presently has six horses under his care, celebrated

his 89th birthday Sunday by saddling his son Frank's Louisiana-bred mare LIL

INITIATIVE (Jaunatxo). Pennino, who took out his trainer's license in 1941,

likes to tell of galloping Thoroughbreds through unpaved New Orleans streets in his

youth. How cool is that? He has also been a jockey, jockey's agent, owner and

trainer during his lengthy and colorful career.

Trainer Profile

Obviously no one will confuse JOE PENNINO with Allen Jerkens or Charlie

Whittingham, but over the years this old timer has hung in there like a bulldog

which is more then can be said for many others. There are few careers more

daunting then training racehorses especially when it comes to trying simply to

stay in business during the lean years. Most give up. Pennino hasn't. So anyone

who has hung around for as many years as Pennino deserves applause simply for

the sheer guts it takes if nothing else. Congratulations Joe! Although he has

had a limited number of starters over the years, Joe has excelled with his

runners who are heavy favorites, winning at a 60-percent clip which ranks him up

there with anyone. He has also done very well when saddling fillies, showing an

overall positive rate of return over the past 10 years which is truly a

remarkable achievement as well.

RECENT CLAIMS TO WATCH

Friday (1/23)

1ST -- SAINT'S RELIC (Broken Vow), a Hawthorne shipper, had a troubled trip

but nonetheless turned in a solid performance while going his first time around

at Fair Grounds. Was claimed by the astute Keith Bourgeois from

this contest. Considering this stable's expertise with newly claimed runners and

chances of improving with a race over the strip, we can expect some immediate

dividends coming our way.

4TH -- CUBERA (Cape Canaveral) was sent out by Steve Asmussen, who should have just put out

a "for sale" sign around this gelding's neck before sending him out today. This

horse was taking a sharp plunge in class which Monty Python fans could hear loud

and clear, "run away, run away." Instead trainer Keith Bourgeois claims him.

Considering his 30-percent win rate with first off the claim runners and with

all due respect to Monty Python, we turn our eyes to Stephen Stills and say,

"there's something here which isn't exactly clear." Bet him with confidence.

Sunday (1/25)

1ST -- PRINCIPATUS (Intidab), a first-time starter, was claimed by Asmussen, who has a history of scoring well with young runners taken from the

barn of Albert Stall. This colt turned in an encouraging debut performance and

looks to have a valuable upside.

3RD -- PRIMTIME PRINCESS (Double Honor) was taken by high-percentage trainer Cody Autrey,

who has

lost this horse three times before and has subsequently taken her back three times.

Twice before this has resulted in immediate wins for Autrey, and we would suspect

that three times a charm!

HORSES TO WATCH

Thursday (1/22)

9TH -- ELLE TISH SLEW (Eltish) came back today following nearly four-months vacation. Managed to show plenty of run in what was clearly just a prep

race for next go around. Trainer Richard Scherer accomplished just what he

wanted to accomplish here so all systems are go coming up.

Friday (1/23)

2ND -- AZTEC TUNE (Saratoga Six), a four-year-old filly making her third start

off the shelf today, turned in a gritty performance for trainer Corale

Richards. Finished a determined second to Hanna's Gold (Johannesburg), who was the odds

on choice dropping down sharply in price.

Sunday (1/25)

5TH -- INSIDER TIP (El Prado) is trained by Neil Howard, who never, and we mean never,

wins with first time starters. Yet this horse exploded to win his career debut

today. Obviously he has talent well beyond those of mortal horses and soon

should be leaping buildings in a single bound.

YOUNG BLOODS

Thursday (1/22)

5TH -- CARELESS RAPTURE (Entrepreneur), a three-year-old filly, has been victimized

on several fronts already in her brief career. For starters, she has drawn the

rail slot twice and both times has paid the price when getting hemmed in from

the outset. Secondly, for some reason trainer Pat Herbert has been running her

over the lawn even though she's not bred for that surface. Our guess is that she

has bad feet and Herbert feels the softer grass footing with alleviate the

condition. Ironically, despite all of this she's still been in the money all

three trips out so be warned that there's a very talented runner hidden in here

someplace.

Sunday (1/25)

4TH -- JACKS CATASTROPHE (Catastrophe), a modestly bred three-year-old gelding, was

able to win his career debut today even though trainer James Hodges doesn't do

well under these circumstances. What makes this horse intriguing is that he's

well bred for the lawn so watch for a move in that direction as could pay

dividends.