We head to New Orleans for our Friday selection, as Fair Grounds kicks-off its 143rd season. The eighth race on the Starlight card features Louisiana-breds sprinting six furlongs on the main track in a second level allowance contest; let’s look over the field.
Danny T (1), Ney/Ramgeet; 4-year-old out of Yonaguska makes his second start following an extended layoff, which for trainer Andrew Ney is just an 11 percent angle. Gelding has finished in the money here in four of six attempts, twice at this level.
Brother Pops (2), Husak/Geroux; 3-year-old won and finished third in a couple of EvD starts; however here, he’s 0-for-5; not a great spot for trainer Gary Husak.
Collin’s Mystery (3), Meaux/Clark; connections dropped this Northern Afleet 3-year-old in for the claim last out, and it worked as he drove past LaD maidens at this distance. The allowance level looks out of his reach right now.
C U Tiger (4), Bruno/Torres; facing state-bred maidens last out in the Delta slop, 3-year-old out of Indian Territory took command early and then held-off a full field for his maiden score; that effort merits a closer look.
My Shout (5), Calhoun/Mena; one of two from the Bret Calhoun barn (22 percent on the year); and this gelding by Behindatthebar also exits his maiden score over the Delta oval. That effort produced the field’s highest last out speed figure; and I look for this barn to make a statement early in this meet.
Teddy Roosevelt (6), Granger/Pedroza; broke his maiden here at first asking last February, and since, this Even the Score colt has been bouncing back-and-forth between the allowance and claiming ranks. 4-year-old has shown a liking for Fair Grounds; and comes with a price.
You’ve Got a Friend (7), Roussel/Graham; New Orleans native Louie Roussel returns this gelded son of My Pal Charlie to the track where he missed by a nose in a turf stakes, and a willing third routing over the main track. 3-year-old exits a dismal turf start at AP; throw that start out, this is a solid spot for Roussel, and with hard ridin’ James Graham in the irons; trouble.
Stewie Little (8), Calhoun/Rosier; makes his second start for Calhoun, a 20 percent play, and exits a nice work here last week; however it seems that when this Chatain gelding gets pressed early, he folds late.
Ide B E Z to Njoy (9), Hodges/Eramia; 3-year-old by Ide faded in the La. Stallion last September at LaD, his first try against winners; but a jock change to Richard Eramia is a plus; and gelding should like the cutback and step down.
Rookie Doo (10), Duhon/Theriot; after placing here in March, and with a bit of a freshening, this Sightseeing gelding stayed close and then cleared a LaD maiden field back in May. He’s freshened again, and for his trainer Joe Duhon, that’s a solid 17 percent play.
With winter coming early to many of the nations racing locations, New Orleans remains seasonal; that means warm temps and cold drinks, which for once is a welcomed change to Fair Grounds Starlight Racing Program. It’s hard to get a handicapping handle with state-breds on opening night, so we’ll go with the trainer stats in this spot; and for that I’ll box Bret Calhoun’s My Shout, Roussel’s You’ve Got a Friend, Hodges’ gelding Ide B E Z to Njoy and finally Joe Duhon’s Rookie Doo; one couldn’t be faulted for taking a shot with Danny T and C U Tiger; Rick’s picks: 5, 7, 9, and 10.