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optimizer slight choice in col. bradley ’cap
· Daisy Devine Odds-On Favorite for $75,000 Marie Krantz Memorial ’Cap
· Delaunay Favored in $75,000 F. W. Gaudin Memorial Stakes
· Party Lad Early Choice in Saturday’s Inaugural Van Berg Stakes
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Following his local tally in the Lecomte, Lukas saddled Willis Horton’s Will Take Charge to capture Oaklawn’s Smarty Jones Stakes last Monday.
The
Optimizer, who gets in the Col. Bradley with 117 pounds, has been idle since finishing third in the Grade II Hollywood Turf Cup Dec. 15 but breezed five furlongs in 1:02.20 at Oaklawn on Jan. 16.
Sure to provide strong competition for Optimizer is Chester Miller and Patrick Dupuy’s Strike Impact, who took command entering the lane in the Diliberto Memorial and continued with good courage the rest of the way to be best by a length. Trained by Pat Dupuy, Strike Impact is assigned 117 pounds Saturday, most of which will be made up by
Assigned the top impost of 120 pounds in the Col. Bradley, and third choice in the morning line at 9-2, is Melnyk Racing Stables’ James Street, who closed willingly to finish fifth beaten less than two lengths after racing wide in Fair Grounds’ $75,000 Diliberto Memorial Handicap in his last start Dec. 22. Trained by Josie Carroll,
Completing the field for the Col. Bradley, with respective
DAISY DEVINE ODDS-ON FAVORITE FOR MARIE KRANTZ MEMORIAL ’CAP – James Miller’s Daisy Devine, who won the Grade II Fair Grounds Oaks on the main track here two seasons ago but has since become a grass specialist, looms the 2-5 choice in the early line for Saturday’s $75,000 Marie Krantz Memorial Handicap over the Stall-Wilson Turf Course.
Like Saturday’s Grade III Col. E. R. Bradley Handicap, the Krantz Memorial was originally scheduled to be run last Saturday but was postponed a week to allow the turf course more time to dry out from several days of inclement weather.
Trained by Andy McKeever, Daisy Devine most recently proved six lengths the best in Fair Grounds’ $75,000 Blushing K. D. Handicap Dec. 22, has to shoulder the top impost of 125 pounds this weekend but will have the riding services of Irish-born grass specialist
Named to oppose Daisy Devine Saturday are Ken and Sarah Ramsey’s Artemus Kitten, Joe Bravo, 117 (4-1); Robert and Lawana Low’s Zapper Belle, Leandro Goncalves, 116 (5-1); Barnett Stables’ Anniversary Girl, Jesse Campbell, 113 (15-1); Shadwell Stable’s Ausus, Shaun Bridgmohan, 114 (20-1); and Nesco Stable’s Totheendoftheearth, Brian Hernandez Jr., 113 (20-1).
DELAUNAY FAVORED IN SATURDAY’S $75,000 F. W. GAUDIN MEMORIAL STAKES – Maggi Moss’s Delaunay, who won the $75,000 Thanksgiving Handicap on opening day at Fair Grounds this season, has been installed as the 9-5 morning line favorite for Saturday’s $75,000 F.W. Gaudin Memorial Handicap.
Brittlyn Stable’s Gantry, runner-up in this season’s Thanksgiving ’Cap but winner of last season’s Thanksgiving ’Cap as well as last season’s Gaudin, is pegged as the 3-1 second choice for Saturday’s Gaudin renewal.
Completing the Gaudin field is supplementary nomination Laurie’s Rocket (9-2); Flashpoint (6-1); Pass the Dice (8-1); Hollywood Hit (10-1); and Hamiltonian (10-1).
PARTY LAD EARLY CHOICE IN SATURDAYS INAUGURAL VAN BERG STAKES – Jal Dastur’s Party Lad, winner of an allowance and $75,000 optional claiming event over the Gulfstream grass in his last start and an allowance race on the main track at Penn National before that, has been installed as the 3-1 favorite for Saturday’s inaugural running of the $75,000 Van Berg Stakes for 3-year-olds over the Stall-Wilson Turf Course at the distance of about 5 ½ furlongs.
Named to oppose Party Lad in the Van Berg are Strike the Note, (4-1); Black Sheep’s Agave Cat (9-2); Animal Style, (6-1); Strong Response, (8-1); Evan’s Calling, (8-1); Sir Pulpit, (12-1); Jo Jo’s Comet, (15-1); Seeking Payday, (15-1); and Nev’s Cat, (20-1).
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Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, the nation’s third-oldest racetrack, has been in operation since 1872. Located in
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James J. Mulvihill
Communications & Pari-Mutuel Marketing Manager
Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots
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504.948.1233 [office]
504.481.8770 [cell]
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