Fair Grounds Selection: Grade II New Orleans Handicap

By Rick Francis —-

FAIR GROUNDS

Race 10) Grade 2 New Orleans Handicap 4yo & up 1&1/8th Miles Post Time 3:34 CDT

1) Mo Don’t No (Amoss/Murrill); Amoss takes over conditioning duties following three well back efforts by this Uncle Mo 6-year-old; trainer with the first’s in his care hit next out at 23 percent but this gelding will be better served facing lesser.

2) Lone Sailor (Amoss/Graham); really disappointed as the G3 Mineshaft favorite last out where he broke last and his “one-run” only netted him a sixth place finish; beaten fave’s for Amoss is another strong training angle so look for a rebounding effort here.

3) Souper Tapit (Casse/Gaffalione); stumbling out of the G3 Razorback gate cost him, however prior to that start he’d won two straight and hit the board in six others; he’s been working like a beast here.

4) Noble Indy (Pletcher/Velazquez); 2018’s La. Derby winner hasn’t been close in his last four starts, including a double-digit defeat facing Gulfstream OC’s last month; he’s another with a fondness for the course.

5) Krewe Chief (Maker/Lanerie); his work tab here leading into the Mineshaft was solid, however when the gates opened he ran to his double-digit odds, can’t see things improving much.

6) Silver Dust (Calhoun/Gilligan); you can’t underestimate a horse that likes a course and this 5-year-old out of Tapit is a perfect example, winning and placing twice here from five starts, including a determined score in the Grade 3 Mineshaft; you’ll get value once again, take it.

7) Noble Commander (D’Amato/Ortiz, I); after winning the Woodchopper here, connections shipped him west to the D’Amato barn where they were victims of the Santa Anita shutdown; Forestry colt fits with these and today gets the services of Irad Ortiz.

8) Mr. Buff (Kimmel/Alvarado); enters having won four straight up at Aqueduct, all at today’s route. His speed numbers are some of the field’s best and could be an “under the radar” player.

9) Bandua (Sisterson/Beschizza); he’s crossed-entered in the Muniz, where the turf is his calling.

10) Copper Bullet (Asmussen/Ortiz, J); tough beat last out in the Razorback where his late bid came up a neck short. This More Than Ready colt is just that, but he’s got to prove he can control that early speed or this stretch and distance will do him in.

11) Core Beliefs (Eurton/Geroux); Quality Road colt has been on the shelf since September mostly due to the Santa Anita situation; addition of Geroux for his first test facing older is the perfect call.

Selections: 6, 8, 4, 3