Fair Grounds Notebook

FAIR GROUNDS NOTEBOOK

FEBRUARY 6, 2009

by Steve Collison

Coming Up

Trainer Larry Jones currently has a solid trio of top flight runners

preparing for the Triple Crown run. If you recall, his horses have finished

second in the last two runnings of the Kentucky Derby (G1). Two of this year's

aces are showing up on track for next Saturday's $200,000 Risen Star S. (G3)

here, the highlight of Louisiana Derby Preview Day.

"FRIESAN FIRE (A.P. Indy) (who won the Lecomte S. (G3) here on January 10)

and IT HAPPENED AGAIN (Proud Citizen) (winner of the Triple Sec S. at Delta

Downs) are both on schedule for the Risen Star," Jones said Friday morning.

"Both are doing well and both should get their final works Monday morning,

assuming the track conditions fit. Both horses have talent, but both are still

learning the game. It's up to them which one wants to become a major player and

step up to the plate. I'm looking for an improvement in their numbers in this

race coming up."

The Jones-trained OLD FASHIONED (Unbridled's Song), undefeated winner of the

Remsen S. (G2), is scheduled to make his first start this year in the Southwest

S. (G3) on February 16 at Oaklawn.

Track Surface

The Fair Grounds surface continues to be a model of efficiency as it was fair

and balanced throughout the week. New track superintendent BRIAN JABELMANN

should be commended on the consistency he has been able to instill since taking

over at the beginning of the year.

Jockey Notes

Jockey Ramsey Zimmerman, who suffered a broken collarbone during training

hours earlier this month, had shoulder surgery Monday morning and is hopeful of

returning before the current season ends on March 29.

"Hopefully, if everything goes right, I'll be out another month and then be

able to get back to riding," Zimmerman said Thursday afternoon. "They put a

plate in my collarbone. At first, right after the operation, the pain was

excruciating, but it's not so bad now. It just goes with the territory. I'm

planning on staying around New Orleans while I recuperate."

Trainer Profile

Often when it comes to horse racing and handicapping, the line gets blurred

between which trainers just delegate and which are actual horseman. There's

nothing wrong with delegating. King T. Leatherbury in Maryland was the best I've

ever seen at this and he won more races then almost anyone. But then there's

someone like PAUL MCGEE, who simply is an outstanding horseman and goes about

his job of tending to his horses while quietly winning under the radar.

Currently, McGee has sent 18 runners to post here with six coming home winners

for a solid 33-percent win rate. McGee is particularly effective when claiming a

horse and then giving them time off before they run for him. It takes a good eye

to see a horse who simply needs some rest before winning, but Paul does it to a

25-percent tune. He also hits an excellent 24-percent with runners making their

first career start when entered down in the claiming ranks. This type of horse

also offers a very high positive rate of return so definitely is something to

watch for.

RECENT CLAIMS TO WATCH

Thursday (1/29)

4TH -- JENIFEE (Menifee), a first-time starter, was able to win with

authority while being claimed for the lofty sum of $50,000 by trainer Tim

Glyshaw. When a trainer takes a horse for that kind of money without ever seeing

them race you know for a fact that he was tipped off as to her potential. This

horse is worth much more then the $50k paid, and previous trainer Michael

Stidham was obviously caught with his hand in the cookie jar.

Sunday (2/1)

1ST -- REAL DILEMMA (Salt Lake), a five-year-old mare, was taken from a

low-percentage, slumping stable by the high flying act of Cody Autrey. That's a

difference of night and day and will show in the horse's next performance.

HORSES TO WATCH

Friday (1/30)

1ST -- FORTUNATE JETT (Groovy Jett), a four-year-old colt, turned in a gritty

performance when fighting off several rivals to get the win for trainer Morris

Nicks. Not only does Nicks do well with repeaters, this type of race does

wonders for a hard knocking colt like this one.

Sunday (2/1)

8TH -- FORTHEBOYSATTHEBAR (Sky Classic) was going first time off the claim

for trainer Merrill Scherer in what was obviously a prep, and the horse turned

in just the kind of effort his connections wanted. Now they get down to

business.

BEWARE OF THESE

Thursday (1/29)

2ND -- WHEATON HOME (Wheaton), an in-form runner, was claimed from the Autrey

barn by slumping horseman Keith Desormeaux. It's not that Desormeaux is a bad

trainer -- he isn't. But when a stable is slumping it spills over to everyone

involved and horses can sense that sort of tension and depression. Coming from a

winning barn to this sort of atmosphere can cause a horse's form to deteriorate

overnight.

YOUNG BLOODS

Friday (1/30)

6TH -- CHRISTINA'S WORLD (Unbridled's Song), a Jones runner, was pounded at

the windows as she prepared to make her career debut. Unfortunately, she looked

rank during the post parade and then proceeded to set blistering early fractions

before fading to second. On the plus side, however, she did prove she could run

and will fare much better next out after she settles down. Won't be much of a

price though.

Sunday (2/1)

3RD -- MIDNIGHT CURFEW (Eulogize) is by a sire who stands for just $500, but

the colt managed to turn in a respectable debut performance going against maiden

special weight company. Should be able to find a winning spot somewhere below

that mark if his trained doesn't get overly optimistic and keeps him above his

head.

3RD -- YOGI AND BOO BOO (Not For Love) was forced to break from the extreme

outside slot and the loss of ground cost him. Still turned in a solid overall

effort and will prevail soon going two turns.