Maiden America Wednesday 3.23: 3 Fair Grounds race picks from RT, gearing up for Saturday's Louisiana Derby

RT’s Spot Plays

3.23.22

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In light of the first sojourn to Fair Grounds this weekend for the Louisiana Derby and Oaks, I will bring you a few races each day.

Race 7 - $50K Maiden Claiming

3yo’s going one mile on turf

Shane Wilson and connections snagged the $220K colt 10-Curling Edges (10/1) for the paltry sum of $30K last out. If only the horse would run to its breeding - Curlin/Medaglia d’Oro. His four attempts have been far from memorable, so maybe a new trainer, his third, and the switch back to turf will provide the Midas touch. Curlin is a respectable 19% maiden claiming 3yo turf sire. 6-Lord Zed (5/2) is the deserving favorite, picking up the highest Equibase numbers than any others in this field by a wide margin. Dropping in for a tag for the first time, Brad Cox 38% from msw to mcl. This Lord Nelson son had a freshening on March 17 and will take the money here. Keen Ices’ son, 9-Keen Heir (8/1) dropping for a tag, has turned in three solid works since last seen in late January. Expect improvement. 4-Corrente De Ouro (10/1) a Calumet bred by Bal a Bali and broodmare sire/distance specialist Galileo, drops for a tag today and picks up much needed distance to give this colt a chance. 7-Tricolour (9/2) almost graduating at this level last out, switches to turf today and trainer Joe Sharp an unreliable 9% winner when changing. 17% dirt to turf trainer Steve Margolis will saddle 5-Cryptic Code (5/1) sire Honor Code is 1:2 with 3yo male progeny in mcl class from dirt to turf routes. Given his last race, where Colby Hernandez got him out of the muddy kickback, he turned up the power to rally into second place. He will be flying late.

With the addition of Brian Hernandez in the irons, who is 23% in mcl races, 27% in routes, and 21% on turf, I am taking the class dropping Keen Heir. Lord Zed has burned too much coin and may have learned to lose too early in his career.

Race 8 - $20K Maiden Claiming

Cajun bred fillies and mares, 3yo’s↑ going six furlongs

4-Janisthebeauty (9/2) will be bet big with excellent trainer Ron Faucheux, 21% off the claim, 29% in mcl races, 26% off 1-2 months and 29% with jockey Jareth Loveberry. Was not a factor at the $12.5 level first out. The move up seems pedestrian given the level of competition in this. Sire Half Ours 24% in this situation. 5-Kiss Goodbye (7/2) dam Wine Diva 1:2 with first time fillies in state bred races and sire Yankee Gentleman won at first ask by 11 lengths. Brett Calhoun a very good 20% with first timers and he had a terrific 1:00.8 gate work. Checking our database, first time starters in state mcl races 20%, which is far above the norm of 8%. 8-Prissy Jaden (4/1) won at this price last fall and was dq’d at Delta. Returned to three state msw races, including one on turf, and has had poor results. Today’s class relief is more than welcome.

I am going to take a shot solely on breeding with 3-Vale Male (5/1) who is by Bodemeister and Kantharos. She gets second Lasix and has had a steady diet of works since her debut in late August.

Race 9 - $46K Maiden Special

3yo fillies going 5.5 furlongs on turf

7-Sixtythreecalibre (7/2) is a first time starter by Gun Runner, who has proven not to be a good turf sire; 13 horses, 22 starts, and 1 win. That number gets worse with first timers, 0%. Given his name and work tab, expect to see quite a bit of action on the toteboard. I will pass. 2-Jalebi Baby (8/1) returns to action after four tries as a two year old. The time off appears to have done her well as she is working well with a recent pair of :48’s. Sire Bayern an outstanding 26% with three year old turf fillies. AE 11-Diamant Damsha (3/1) is an Irish bred filly by Dandy Man, is ½ sister to graded stakes winner River Boyne and she punched a 90 Equibase number on debut last May in Cork. She was shipped, sidelined and returned as the 2/1 fave last out in late February, and summarily got spanked. She just worked a :48.2 and if entered, will be my choice. If not entered, I am going with 4-High Speed (9/2) who’s dam is Speed Seeker by Irish bred Heatseeker. Speed Seeker was 20/5-1-1 on turf and her dad, Heatseeker, a black type winner of $1.1M. High Speed has two races to date and her last was her first turf try where she showed marked improvement. Today she gets second Lasix and Mitch Murrill back in the irons.

Happy Hunting !