Fair Grounds Barn Notes: Friday, February 24

By Michael Adolphson —-

• Untapped Hasn’t Tapped out Yet
• Three out of Risen Star; Down to 11
• Dalmore out of Mineshaft
• Weekly Work Tab Wrap-Up

UNTAPPED HASN’T TAPPED OUT YET

Any other year, Untapped would be the story of the Rachel Alexandra. With her sparkling pedigree and local victory, the full-sister to champion Untapable is unexpectedly flying under the radar for Saturday’s Grade II $200,000 Rachel Alexandra Stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. A winner of an allowance race earlier this meet at a mile and 70 yards, the daughter of Tapit faltered as the well-bet second choice last out in the $145,000 Silverbulletday Stakes, finishing well behind Farrell, who is now one of three favorites in the Rachel Alexandra along with a Breeders’ Cup runner-up in Valadorna and a runaway high speed figure-earning Grade III winner in Shane’s Girlfriend. Add all that together and you have a possible overlay from a dangerous Steve Asmussen barn with a pedigree that screams class.

“I think she deserves a chance in the Rachel Alexandra,” Asmussen said. “She’s a nice filly and nothing is going to change her last race I am pleased with how she’s coming into this race.”

A Winchell Thoroughbreds homebred, Untapped will break from the rail and has the riding services of leading jockey Florent Geroux.

THREE OUT OF RISEN STAR; DOWN TO 11

The full field of 14 entered in the Grade II $400,000 Risen Star Stakes has been decreased to 11, as of Friday afternoon. Three horses: So Conflated, Takeoff and It’s Your Nickel are expected to be scratched. So Conflated’s and It’s Your Nickel’s connections each cited the poor post positions (post 14 and 13, respectively) of their charges and possible opportunities elsewhere.

While no specific reason was given for Takeoff’s removal, it has been indicated that the Mark Casse trainee will likely get a break from serious training.

DALMORE OUT OF MINESHAFT

Big Chief Racing et al.’s Dalmore did not make the trip with the remaining two Desormeaux shippers for Saturday’s stakes-filled card at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. The Grade III winner will be scratched from the Grade III $125,000 Mineshaft Handicap, according to the racing office.

WEEKLY WORK TAB WRAP-UP

Dallas Stewart’s Saint’s Fan, who is under consideration by his breeder-owner-trainer for the Grade II $1 million Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby, worked a half-mile in 50.20 on Friday morning. Stewart Sent out G M B Racing’s Tom’s Ready to drill earlier in the week, working a half-mile in 50.40 on Monday morning.

Trainer Neil Howard sent out his two stable stars this week to drill for their big races on Saturday afternoon. William S. Farish and Lora Jean Kilroy’s Guest Suite worked a half-mile on Tuesday in a bullet (of 12) 48 flat and Farish’s homebred older horse Eagle a half-mile in 49.40 on Monday.

A colt and filly of similar name and common trainer, Risen Star runner Untrapped and Rachel Alexandra filly Untapped each worked half-miles for conditioner Steve Asmussen on Monday with the colt going in 50 flat and filly in a leisurely 51.80.