Have enjoyed spectacular week in New Orleans and still have Louisiana Derby Day Preview slate highlighted by compelling Risen Star to go..

FAIR GROUNDS

POST-SCRATCHES

2nd: LA-OC/N2X, 4+, 6f (P4, P3, DD)

Most Likely: #2 Jazzy Rebel 9-2 2nd
Best Value: #6 Sir Genghis 6-1 6th
Next Best: #7 Malachite 6-1 5th
Exotics Use: #1 Louisiana Flyboy 6-1 4th

3rd: MSW, 3yo, 6f (P3, DD)

Small group, (all but one starting for first time), notable for debut of Untapable full brother/Paddy O’Prado half Taprize SCR’D. Sports limited worktab including Sam Houston drills, but likely prepared on the farm. Scarf It Down (10-1) a half to very fast Idiot Proof and Twirling Candy has gotten some first out winners..

Most Likely: #8 Sonoma Crush 5-2 WON ($4.00)
Best Value: #4 Scarf It Down 10-1 4th
Next Best: #2 Twizz 3-1 3rd

4th: MSW, 3yo-F, 6f (P3, DD)

A few more nice pedigrees among these girls. Mademoiselle Coco a half to Havre de Grace but may need more than 6f to show her best. Zingy is out of FG Oaks winner Real Cozzy but is another who may need added ground..

Most Likely: #1 Stradivarius 3-1 4th
Best Value: #3 Leta Ptica 6-1 3rd
Next Best: #8 Modify 7-2 2nd
Exotics Use: ##2 Misseventhirteen 5-1 8th

5th: 31st Mineshaft H. (G3), 4+, 8.5f (P3, DD)

Most Likely: #3 International Star 8-5 4th
Next Best: #4 Eagle 2-1 2nd
Exotics Use: #5 Jessica’s Star SCR

P4 Grid:

2: 2-6 (A), 1-7 (B), 3-4 (C)
3: 4-8 (A), 2 (B), 5-6 (C)
4: 1 (A), 3-8 (B), 2-7 (C)
5: 3-4 (A), – (B), 1-2-5 (C)

Simple (A+B): 4x3x3x2 = 72 x .50 = $36

6th: OC/N2X, 4+, 1m-T (P3, DD)

Best Value: #11 Vici 15-1 3rd
Next Best: #9 Cartoon 6-1 7th
Exotics Use: #10 Hammers Terror 7-2 WON ($6.60)
Super Add: #7 Chapter Two 15-1 9th

7th: 63rd Duncan F. Kenner, 3+, 6f (P3, DD)

Most Likely: #1 Cinco Charlie 7-2 WON ($5.80)
Next Best: #6 Clearly Now 7-5 7th
Best Value: #4 Officer Griffin 5-1 3rd
Exotics Use: #5 Too Dim 6-1 4th

8th: 48th Daisy Devine, F&M-3+, 8.5f-T (Black Gold P5, P4, P3, DD)

Race will see Pink Poppy and Faufiler SCR..

Most Likely: #10 Notte d’Oro 9-2 4th
Best Value: #9 Cash Control 6-1 WON ($7.20)
Next Best: #3 Street of Gold 7-2 3rd
Exotics Use: #7 Fila Primera 8-1 5th

9th: 36th Rachel Alexandra (G2), 3yo-F, 8.5f P4, P3, DD)

Stageplay obviously filly to beat but several here are within 2-3 lengths already and can challenge with improvement. Stidham Uncle Mo bay Shaken (12-1) is bred to route and will save ground every step. Note that Stradivarius, who Shaken bested in their debuts, runs in the 4th and provides some referendum on Shaken..

Most Likely: #8 Stageplay 7-5 5th
Best Value: #1 Shaken 12-1 3rd
Next Best: #9 Royal Obsession 8-1 4th
Exotics Use: #5 Lemon Drop Belle 12-1 8th

10th: 30th Fair Grounds H. (G3), 4+, 9f-T (P3, DD)

Tried to beat highweight Chocolate Ride last time and not giving in to him here either. Departing comfortable on both surfaces and can stay in attendance of the fave. Pumpkin Rumble and Strike King are others that can boost plays..

Best Value: #7 Departing 9-2 3rd
Next Best: #6 Chocolate Ride 7-5 WON ($4.60)
Exotics Use: #4 Pumpkin Rumble 12-1 5th
Super Add: #9 Strike King 10-1 4th

11th: 44th Risen Star (G2), 3yo, 8.5f (DD)

As discussed from Fair Grounds all week, a terrific edition of this race with solid cast of locals out of the LeComte enhanced by 3yo debut of Airoforce (5-2*). Mo Tom (3-1), Tom’s Ready (8-1) & Uncle Walter (8-1), 1-2-3 in the LeComte, have every reason to demand respect in this second leg of the LA Derby run-up with Mo Tom feeling like the horse to beat ahead of Airoforce, re-directed here after missing the Davis at Tampa. Forevamo (12-1) and Zapperini (30-1) are 2 more FG-based players that get class check up here. With all the attention on Airoforce, KY Jockey Club 4th Gun Runner (6-1) traveling slightly under radar for his sophomore bow. Gyarmati’s In Equality (30-1), Baltas’ Bistraya (15-1) and Schettino’s It’s All relevant (15-1) invade from AQU, SA and GP respectively giving this test an authentic Derby season litmus test. Note: Expect track to be very fast to start the day and hope surface is fair for the important action late..

Best Value: #6 Gun Runner 6-1 WON ($12.20)
Next Best: #2 Mo Tom 3-1 3rd
Exotics Use: #8 Tom’s Ready 8-1 7th
Super Add: #10 Airoforce 5-2 10th

P4 Grid:

8: 10 (A), 3-9 (B), 1-7 (C)
9: 8 (A), 1-9 (B), 5-6 (C)
10: 6-7 (A), – (B), 3-4-8-9 (C)
11: 2-6 (A), 5-7-8-10 (B), 4-12 (C)

Simple (A+B): 3x3x2x6 = 108 x .50 = $54