1751 Gentilly Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70119 www.fairgroundsracecourse.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Graham Ross, Staff Writer, 504.948.1255, graham.ross@fgno.com
louisiana derby day adds three restricted stakes
· Montbrooks Miracle Slight Choice in $75,000 Crescent City Derby
· Closing Report Meets Designer Legs in $75,000 Crescent City Oaks
· Skip the Pinot and Populist Politics Favored in $60,000 Dixie Poker Ace
By Graham Ross, Staff Writer
NEW ORLEANS (Thursday, March 27, 2014) –In addition Saturday’s 101st running of the $1 million Louisiana Derby, $400,000 Fair Grounds Oaks, $400,000 New Orleans Handicap and $300,000 Mervin Muniz Memorial at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, three stakes restricted to Louisiana-breds will provide an added garnish to the expanded 13-race program with its special early post time of 12:30 p.m.
MONTBROOKS MIRACLE SLIGHT CHOICE IN $75,000 CRESCENT CITY DERBY--The 42nd running of the $75,000 Crescent City Derby allows accredited Louisiana-bred sophomores the chance to display their talents going 1 1/16-miles. The 8th renewal of the $75,000 Crescent City Oaks does the same for Louisiana-bred 3-year-old fillies at a mile and 70 yards, and the 34th running of the $60,000 Dixie Poker Ace Stakes gives grass-favoring older horses accredited in the Pelican State to compete at about one mile over the Stall-Wilson turf course.
Alston Thoroughbreds’ Montbrooks Miracle, best by 1 ¾-lengths in his most recent start here March 8, may rule the choice in the Crescent City Derby. Trained by Ray Sibille, the altered son of Montbrook of finished third in his local bow Feb. 16. Kerwin Clark is named to handle the reins.
Louie Roussel’s You’ve Got a Friend, who missed by a nose in the $60,000 Gentilly Stakes, finished third behind Montbrooks Miracle last time but finished willingly when clear of traffic and deserves another chance. Richard Eramia rides.
Robert Hibbert and Henry Johnson’s Kapenta, an invader from Delta Downs who finished second in Delta’s $100,000 Pelican Stakes, also deserves consideration with Juan Larrossa up.
Completing the overflow field with two also-eligibles is Blue Forty Two, Gerard Melancon; Dixie Best, Robby Albarado; B and B’s Pulpit, Brian Hernandez Jr; Theycalledhimbig, Diego Saenz; Clueless Rusty, James Graham; Gold Appointment, Colby Hernandez; Yankee Gambler, Miguel Mena; Hot Zapper, Rosie Napravnik; Drewssasin, Chris Landeros; Salute the L T J G, Kent Desormeaux; Hail to the Nile, Shaun Bridgmohan; Grand Isle, Jamie Theriot; and Let Me In, Marcelino Pedroza. The last two named are the also eligibles.
CLOSING REPORT MEETS DESIGNER LEGS IN $75,000 CRESCENT CITY OAKS--In the $75,000 Crescent City Oaks, Stephen Brown’s Closing Report might be a slight favorite following her 2 ½-length tally in Delta’s $100,000 Azalea Feb. 23 and Delta’s $125,000 Premier Starlet before that. Rosie Napravnik will be astride.
However, Valene Farm’s Designer Legs, adjudged winner of Saratoga’s Grade II Adirondack Stakes last summer, enters restricted company for the first time in her career and cannot be discounted despite her layoff since being unplaced in her last start Nov. 2 in the Grade I Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. Shaun Bridgmohan will be aboard.
Others named to the Crescent City Oaks are All Woman, Gerard Melancon; Heatseeker Sharon, Robby Albarado; Blading Wild Cat, John Jacinto: Another Pinot, Richard Eramia; P T’s Jewel, Miguel Mena; and Glamoride, Jamie Theriot.
SKIP THE PINOT AND POPULIST POLITICS FAVORED IN $60,000 DIXIE POKER ACE—Glen Warren and Andy Leggio’s Skip the Pinot, runner-up in Fair Grounds’ $60,000 Costa Rising Jan. 11, may vie for favoritism with Klaravich Stables and William Lawrence’s Populist Politics, third in Fair Grounds’ $60,000 Star Guitar Stakes March 1 and third in Delta’s $200,000 Premier Championship Feb. 1, when the two match strides in Saturday’s $60,000 Dixie Poker Ace Stakes at about one mile over the Stall-Wilson turf course.
Skip the Pinot, a 4-year-old altered son of G. W.’s Skippie trained by Andy Leggio Jr, will be ridden by Mark Guidry while Populist Politics, a 6-year-old entire son of Don’t Get Mad conditioned by Tom Amoss, gets James Graham in the saddle.
The rest of the field is made up by Benwill, Diego Saenz; Hopeful Notion, Richard Eramia; Cajun Charlie, Donnie Meche; Request a Puck, Kerwin Clark; and No Rules Now, Shaun Bridgmohan.
About Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots
Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, the nation’s third-oldest racetrack, has been in operation since 1872. Located in New Orleans, Fair Grounds is owned by Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ Global Select Market: CHDN); it also operates a slot-machine gaming facility and 11 off-track betting parlors throughout southeast Louisiana. The 142nd Thoroughbred Racing Season – highlighted by the 101st running of the $1 million Louisiana Derby – will run from November 22, 2013 through March 30, 2014. More information can be found online at www.FairGroundsRaceCourse.com.
-FG-
This Churchill Downs Incorporated communication (including any attachments) is intended for the use of the intended recipient(s) only and may contain information that is confidential, privileged or legally protected. Any unauthorized use or dissemination of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please immediately notify the sender by return e-mail message and delete all copies of the original communication. Thank you for your cooperation.
