Stakes Recap: Gantry Gets It Going On Grass in Colonel Power

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Contact: Graham Ross, Staff Writer, 504.948.1255, graham.ross@fgno.com

 

gantry gets it going on grass in colonel power

 

By Graham Ross, Staff Writer

 

NEW ORLEANS (March 15, 2014) – Brittlyn Stable’s Gantry had not raced on grass since September of 2011 and had made 15 starts since then, but the 7-year-old Pulpit gelding returned to it with a late-charging relish to capture Saturday’s $60,000 Colonel Power Stakes by 1 ¼-lengths over the Stall-Wilson turf course at Fair Grounds & Slots.

 

“His mother was a good turf horse and we always wanted to try him on it,” said winning trainer Ron Faucheux.  “This race seemed like the right spot.  This race opens up a lot more opportunities for us.”

 

Allowed to settle early, Gantry closed well between the leaders under jockey Richard Eramia when set down for the drive and proved clearly best at the wire.  He returned mutuels of $8.20, $5.40 and $3.80, toured the about 5 ½-furlongs over firm going in 1:03.99 and increased his career earnings to $816,245 with his 10^th win in 23 lifetime starts. 

 

Two years ago at Fair Grounds, he swept the local three-race sprint series over the main track and won this season’s $100,000 Thanksgiving Handicap on that same service.

 

“He relaxed very good for me,” said regular rider Eramia, “and really got going in the last quarter.”

 

Team Forster 131’s Positive Side, also without speed, rallied late to gain the place, paying $24.20 and $7.80 while finishing a half-length to the good of Martin Racing’s Marchman, who returned $4.60.

 

Klaravich Stable and William Lawrences’s favored Sum of the Parts made the pace with splits of 21.58 and 45.52 but weakened to finish fourth.

 

Bet Seattle, Expecting Cash and Artest completed the order of finish

 

Racing resumes Sunday at Fair Grounds with a nine-race program beginning at 1:25 p.m.

 

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-

 

 

 

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