Grasshopper to take next step in New Orleans

Trainer Neil Howard, who saddled GRASSHOPPER (Dixie Union) to win Saturday's

Mineshaft H. (G3), reported that all his horses who ran on Louisiana Derby

Preview Day at Fair Grounds came back in good condition, and that Grasshopper

would probably return to action in the $500,000 New Orleans H.

(G2) on March 8.

"I would say it is most likely -- assuming he bounces back good -- that

(Grasshopper) would probably run in the New Orleans Handicap," Howard said.

"He's here, and it's obvious he likes this racetrack."

Howard remained equally positive when asked about his sophomore filly HIGHEST

CLASS (Mineshaft), who closed willingly to finish third behind champion Indian

Blessing (Indian Charlie) and Grade 2 winner Proud Spell (Proud Citizen) in

Saturday's 1 1/16-mile Silverbulletday S. (G3).

"I was nothing less than thrilled with her effort," Howard said. "We're

probably not going to see the best from this filly until she runs a mile and an

eighth (which is the distance of the Kentucky Oaks [G1] on May 2)."

Highest Class, who was third in the Tiffany Lass S. prior to her

Silverbulletday run, is likely to stay at the New Orleans track and try the

$400,000 Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) on March 8.

"I would say we'll take a serious look at it (the Fair Grounds Oaks)," Howard

said. "There's a good possibility we'd run her back in there. We'll have to wait

and see what Bob (Baffert) does with his filly (Indian Blessing). I don't think

I want to run right back against her again. She ran a monster race yesterday."