FAIR GROUNDS: BARN NOTES: CHAMPION MONOMOY GIRL BACK ON THE WORK

By Joe Kristufek —-

Champion Monomoy Girl back on the work tab

· MyRacehorse Hosts “Breakfast with the Works” on March 14

BARN NOTES: CHAMPION MONOMOY GIRL
BACK ON THE WORK TAB

New Orleans (March 1, 2020) – In her first breeze since arriving at Fair Grounds on January 15, Dubb, Monomoy Stables LLC, The Elkstone Group LLC (Stuart Grant) and Bethlehem Stable LLC’s champion mare Monomoy Girl logged an easy in :37 3/5 on Saturday morning at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.

Unraced as a 4-year-old following a couple of setbacks, Monomoy Girl earlier parlayed a win in the 2018 Rachel Alexandra (G2) at Fair Grounds into subsequent victories in the Ashland (G1) at Keeneland, the Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1) at Churchill Downs, the Acorn (G1), the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1) at Saratoga and eventually the Longines Breeders’ Cup Distaff (G1) en route to an Eclipse Award as Champion 3-year-old filly.

Monomoy Girl twice returned to training in 2019. She logged five works between Feb. 17 and March 23 at Fair Grounds and had four breezes between August 17 and Sept. 7 at Churchill Downs, only to be stopped on both times.

“She was solid,” Cox said of Saturday’s work. “Obviously no races picked out yet or that we are pointing to. It’s our third attempt to get her back racing again. It’s a mountain to climb and we can climb it, we just need to take our time and take it day by day.”

LONGTIME LOUISIANA TRAINER
DWIGHT VIATOR PASSES AWAY AT THE AGE OF 67

Late last week, longtime Louisiana horseman Dwight Viator passed away at the age of 67. A trainer for more than 40 years, the Bossier City native was best known for his work with multiple graded stakes winner Brownsboro. Career win number 462 came less than a week ago when Smart Pegasus won the finale on Monday, February 24 at Fair Grounds.

“I had known Dwight casually for many years being in neighboring barns but really got to know him well over the last few years as he would come up to the bench where a group of us horsemen watch the horses train at the 3/8ths pole,” trainer Mike Stidham said. “He played golf with Travis Foley, Eric Heitzman, Gary Scherer, Jeff Engler and me and we nicknamed him ‘Honest Dwight’ because he was such a straight and honest guy in everything he did and said. We all really loved him and his strait-laced demeanor. Probably not a better guy or horseman on the backside. Dwight was the guy who was never afraid to say what everyone else was thinking. So sorry to lose him.”

An inurnment will be held for Dwight Viator on Monday, March 2, 2020, at 1 p.m. CT in Consolata Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home. Monsignor James Gaddy will officiate. There will be a celebration of life at a later date in Bossier City and New Orleans.

FAIR GROUNDS’ JOCKEYS ON THE MEND

According to his agent Derek Ducoing, jockey Edgar Morales suffered only bruised shoulder as the result of a spill in the Friday’s third race and he will resume riding Thursday at Fair Grounds. Morales has 17 wins from 164 mounts at the current Fair Grounds meet. He is listed on just one horse on Thursday – Boston Honey in race nine for Jorge Gomez, but he is named to ride five on Friday.

Erica Murray, who was unseated from her mount Maw Maw’s Sophia soon after the start of Thursday’s second race, honored her two remaining mounts that day, but she has been out of action since with an injured shoulder.

“I’ll know more on Monday when I go to my orthopedic doctor,” Murray said. “I’m not really sure the extent of it (the injury) right now.”

Murray has 15 wins from 122 mounts at the current Fair Grounds stand.

Out of action since going down in a spill on January 24, Jack Gilligan is close to returning to the saddle.

“I’m getting back on the horses Tuesday,” Gilligan said. “I’ll start being named on horses this upcoming Wednesday (to ride the following week). I’ve got full motion and no pain so I’m ready to get back out there.”

Gilligan has seven wins from 105 mounts at the current Fair Grounds meet.

MYRACEHORSE TO OFFER FREE “BREAKFAST
WITH THE WORKS” EVENT AT FAIR GROUNDS

On the heels of a successful event on February 22, come join MyRacehorse on Saturday morning March 14 for second “Breakfast with the Works” at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. This event will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. CT. Stop by the table on the apron under the tent and enjoy a behind the scenes look into horse ownership and the role of workouts. Breakfast pastries and coffee will be provided compliments of MyRacehorse, and local trainers and jockeys, including Robby Albarado, will be present to visit with fans and answer any questions related to morning workouts.

MyRacehorse is a first of a kind business dedicated to increasing the number of owners in the industry through its micro-share offerings. MyRacehorse has converted thousands of fans to owners through these offerings. With shares starting as low as $100, MyRacehorse has provided fans the opportunity to own real equity shares in the sport’s best racehorses trained by the likes of Hall of Fame trainers Bob Baffert, Todd Pletcher, Richard Mandella, and Steve Asmussen.

If you plan on attending, please use the parking lot on the left side of the Derby building. The gate connecting the parking lot and the track apron will be open for access.

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About Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots: Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, one of the nation’s oldest racetracks, has been in operation since 1872. Located in New Orleans, LA, Fair Grounds is owned by Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ Global

Select Market: CHDN); it also operates a slot-machine gaming facility and 13 off-track betting parlors throughout southeast Louisiana. The 148th Thoroughbred Racing Season – highlighted by the 107th running of the Louisiana Derby – will run from November 28, 2019 through March 29, 2020. More information can be found online at www.FairGroundsRaceCourse.com.