Notes on the Louisiana Derby Program
March 13th, 2009By Jude T. Feld
I am in “Nawlins†to help present the Louisiana Derby (G2) on the Horse Racing Radio Network. Every horseplayer here has been looking forward to this day for weeks. With four graded stakes and two listed ones on the card there is a championship day buzz in the air. Intermittent showers are in the forecast, so take a peek at track and course conditions before heading to the windows.
FG 6) RACHEL ALEXANDRA will be heavily favored to win the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) by virtue of her magnificent comeback in Oaklawn Park’s Martha Washington Stakes. The daughter of Stonewall stallion Medaglia d’Oro has only the local filly FOUR GIFTS to fear and that one would need to run better than ever to win.
FG 7) The New Orleans Handicap (G2) brings out a contentious field of top-class horses. HONEST MAN, from the Larry Jones stable, has won four races in five starts at Fair Grounds. He always gives his best and probably has a slight edge. IT’S A BIRD ran through his bridle in the Sunshine Millions Classic. A repeat of that victory puts him right there. MY PAL CHARLIE runs big races in occasion (Like his second-place finish in last year’s Louisiana Derby (G2) at 60-1!) and should be considered. SLEW’S TIZNOW is a very nice horse who has had some horrific trips lately. Rafael Bejarano sticks with him and the Doug O’Neill trainee could post a big upset at a boxcar price with his best effort.
FG 8) The Sam-Son Farms entry of WINDWARD ISLANDS and FRENCH BERET may offer some value in the Mervin Muniz Memorial Handicap (G2) as both entrants have a chance and the coupling should offer decent odds. GOLDEN YANK fires every time and is reunited with his favorite jockey Jamie Theriot. NOWNOWNOW has been running well on the Cushion Track at Santa Anita but might be best on turf. He will get his preferred surface if the rains don’t set in.
FG 9) FRIESAN FIRE has done nothing wrong in his last two starts. Trainer Larry Jones says he is training better than ever, so a Louisiana Derby (G2) victory would not be a shocker. PAPA CLEM has been working like his tail is on fire. He is regally bred, improving and gets the services of jockey Rafael Bejarano. That could add up to a garland of lilies. GIANT OAK probably needed the Risen Star (G3) and might live up to his fans’ Derby fever. FREE COUNTRY ran o.k. on the tricky Tampa Bay Downs racetrack. Hall of Fame jockey Kent Desormeaux stays with the Kenny McPeek trainee and they could score at a huge price.
