Fair Grounds Barn Notes: Untapped Points to Silverbulletday

By Michael Adolphson —-

• Untapped Points to Silverbulletday
• Shaken Returns in New Year’s Eve Undercard
• Lookin At Lee Returns to Work Tab

UNTAPPED POINTS TO SILVERBULLETDAY

Expectations were high for Winchell Thoroughbreds’ homebred Untapped when she made her local debut on Dec. 23. The 2-year-old full-sister to champion Untapable responded with a dominant 3¼-length victory for trainer Steve Asmussen, winning for the second consecutive time from three starts. Her lone loss was a third on debut going a mile, a race in which the runner-up, Stonestreet Stables’ Valadorna, would go on to finish second in the Grade I Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies two starts later.

According to Asmussen, the chestnut filly has exited her effort in good shape and will now point to the Listed $150,000 Silverbulletday Stakes on Jan. 21.

SHAKEN RETURNS IN NEW YEAR’S EVE UNDERCARD

One of the more exciting fillies of last season, Shaken, is set to return on what is a stellar New Year’s Eve card at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. On the undercard of a six-stakes day, the Mark Stansell-owned graded stakes-placed bay filly makes her first start since finishing a valiant third – beaten 1½ lengths – in the Grade II Rachel Alexandra Stakes on Feb. 20 for previous trainer Mike Stidham. Now in the care of veteran conditioner Morris Nicks, the daughter of Uncle Mo makes her third career start in the first-level allowance/optional claiming event over the same 1 1/16 miles of her last effort 10 months prior.

“So far, so good with her,” Nicks said. “She’s done everything I’ve asked her and I do believe I have her prepared. She’s shown me that she has talent and I naturally thought the two turns was the best place to have her. I’m not much on trying to run a horse sprinting who acts like a two-turn horse.”

Injured in the Rachel Alexandra, an effort that was a step up from a six-furlong maiden win just three weeks prior, the $80,000 Fasig-Tipton graduate returned to training with Nicks and has impressed both he and jockey Brian Hernandez, Jr., who rides her for a third time on Saturday.

“She’s a good sized filly and I like what I see, naturally,” Nicks continued. “I have had her about 70 days. I think if she runs the way she shows me in the mornings, she’ll be tough. She’s got to make a step forward, though. Brian has worked her three times and he’s been all smiles.”

LOOKIN AT LEE RETURNS TO WORK TAB

Most notable of the 146 half-mile moves on Christmas Eve was that of L and N Racing’s Lookin At Lee. Trained by Steve Asmussen, the well-regarded son of Lookin At Lucky was fourth last out in the Grade I Breeders’ Cup Juvenile on Nov. 5 behind champion-to-be Classic Empire – an effort that followed a runner-up finish behind that same rival in the Grade I Breeders’ Futurity on Oct. 8. Saturday’s move went in 52.20 and was his first since the Breeders’ Cup.

Carolyn Friedberg and Jeff T. Larson’s multiple stakes winner Inconclusive worked a half-mile in an easy 53.80 on Monday morning for trainer Richie Scherer. The daughter of Include runs in Saturday’s $75,000 Pago Hop Stakes.

William S. Farish’s multiple stakes winner Eagle worked a quick three panels in 36.40 for trainer Neil Howard. The work was his second since returning to training following a freshening from mid-summer. Eight days prior he worked the same distance in 38.20.

Five D Thoroughbreds’ Kathballu, the favorite for this weekend’s $50,000 Pan Zareta Stakes, worked three furlongs in 36.80 for trainer Ken McPeek.

Clark O. Brewster’s multiple stakes winner Bayerd worked an easy half-mile in 52.20 for trainer Steve Asmussen. Unraced since finishing fifth in Remington Park allowance company on Sept. 1, the son of Speightstown won his lone start over the local surface when winning the $60,000 Bonapaw Stakes on Jan. 2.

Robert E. Masterson’s Ikerrin Road (IRE) worked a half-mile in 48.80 for trainer Mark Casse. A strong work – seventh of 146 – the move comes in advance of his race this weekend in the $75,000 Woodchopper Stakes.

Stonestreet Stables’ well-regarded filly Royal Obsession worked five furlongs in 1:01.60 for trainer Steve Asmussen. Ninth of 12 in her comeback race on Nov. 25 at Churchill Downs, the daughter of Tapit was Grade II-placed earlier this year before an unplaced effort in the Grade I Kentucky Oaks.

Multiple stakes winner Rapid Rhythm worked five furlongs in 1:03.40 for trainer Mike Stidham and owner Robert S. Evans. The turf sprint specialist mare was impressive last out taking the $50,000 Battle of New Orleans in the final strides with an eye-catching last-to-first burst.

John C. Oxley and Kinsman Farm’s Tour de Force worked a half-mile in 49.60 for trainer Mark Casse. The well-related son of Tiznow and expensive Keeneland purchase made his long-awaited debut on Dec. 4, checking in a fine second over the slop in a six-furlong maiden event.

Stallionaire Enterprises’ Stallion Heiress worked a half-mile in 49.40 for trainer Mike Stidham. The 2-year-old daughter of Exchange Rate was very impressive taking her debut over 5½ furlongs on the grass on Dec. 8 by a widening four lengths.