Fair Grounds Selection: Grade II Muniz Memorial Stakes

By Rick Francis —-

FAIR GROUNDS

Race 11) Grade 2 Muniz Memorial Stakes 4yo & up 1&1/8th Miles (TURF) Post Time 4:10 CDT

1) Hot Springs (Asmussen/Saez); makes 2019 debut following a successful 2018 that saw this Uncle Mo colt win 4-of-7 starts including back-to-back’s to close out the year. His G3 Commonwealth score proved he doesn’t need to be on the lead which will bode well for him here.

2) Divisidero (Rubley/Geroux); Kitten’s Joy 7-year-old exits a tough stretch battle at Tampa Bay where he came up short by a half-length. He’s a competitor at the highest levels and has had success at the distance.

3) Synchrony (Stidham/Bravo); Tapit 6-year-old is the “Horse for the Course” with a perfect 4-for-4 record highlighted by his win in this contest a year ago; however there’s a big gun in town, which should set up a great finish.

4) Bandua (Sisterson/Beschizza); though cross-entered in the NO ‘Cap, this is his forte, turf, as it’s the only surface he’s raced on; and though he’s had minimal success, he did take the G3 Fair Grounds Handicap into the stretch.

5) First Premio (Casse/Velazquez); came up empty in the FGH which may indicate he’s better suited for shorter routes, but the jock change to Hall of Famer Johnny V may indicate otherwise.

6) Markitoff (Maker/Gaffalione); though he hung around to show in the FGH, he’s had but one trip to the winner’s circle from his last thirteen starts; pass.

7) Bricks and Mortar (Brown/Ortiz, I); 5-year-old out of Giant’s Causeway looked sharp winning the pricey Pegasus World Cup Turf, his sixth win from eight career starts; yet there’s one drawback to his stellar career, the best he’s done at today’s distance are a pair of thirds.

8) Inspector Lynley (McGaughey/Ortiz, J); hard knocking son of Lemon Drop Kid found the rail to his liking last out to slide past seven rivals to take the Grade 3 Tampa Bay. Distance won’t be a problem for this 6-year-old and is always around at the end, look for him there once again.

9) Final Copy (Attfield/Lanerie); Canadian-bred gets distance relief here turning back from “marathon” routes at Keeneland and Woodbine. He posts a pair of wins from three starts at today’s distance.

10) Silver Dust (Calhoun/Gilligan); cross-entered in the NO ‘Cap which is where he’ll probably go.

Selections: 3, 7, 4, 1 Deep Plays add 6