Louisiana Downs notes for July 17th-18th
I am settling in nicely and am already four weeks into my Louisiana Downs Track Handicapper/TV Host gig. The main track is playing fair this week with early/pressing types holding the edge as usual. Turf course fair with the rails down.
Thursday (7-17-08)…
Race 2: Farasino won her 3rd straight in easy fashion for leading owner Jan Haynes, leading trainer Jorge Lara, and barn $$ rider Lonnie Meche. Look for her to step up from the starter allowance ranks next time.
Race 3: Miss Zoomin Boone, my best bet on the card, fell too far back under Larry Taylor, and her late rally fell three lengths short in a solid show finish. She has more versatility and can clear this 2L level if ridden properly. The winning fav (Chocolate Heaven) was shipping in from Lone Star for Bret Calhoun.
Race 7: Sharp trainer Eric Heitzmann won another event with Hurricane Party, and the prompt fav stormed from off the pace for a 2-length tally.
Race 9: Suzy Zip was sharp in victory under Torres as my strong top choice in the grass feature. 4th place finisher Ballistae seems like a hard horse to ride. She won on the turf a few starts back at 7.5f under Francisco Torres, and maybe he holds the key to this one. I will consider putting her on top if Torres rides.
Raced 10: Easy win for heavy fav Miss Silver G in the finale. My value top Sarah’s Best Day was clearly 2nd best and shouldn’t be a maiden much longer. Lonnie Meche was riding his 4th winner on the card.
*** Sam David Jr. and Jerry Hardin both saddled a pair of winners on the card.
Friday (7-18-08)…
Race 2: My top Roll On Roll On was left at the gate and lost all chance to win this sharp 5f turf sprint. He rallied to miss 3rd by a head. Eventual winner Spritely Star sat the trip my top was supposed to en route to upsetting speedy fav Groovy Luck.
Race 3: Another easy win for Jan Haynes, Jorge Lara, and Lonnie Meche. Note that Fairmont was winning for the first time in a couple of years. My 8-1 value top Like A Magic Flute landed the place in a solid effort.
Race 5: Eric Heitzmann struck again, and it was a turf route winner for the 2nd straight day. Manthea took control from the outset and never looked back. False fav Winning Forum, now 1-29, dumped rider Don Simington after stumbling badly at the start.
*** Carlos Gonzalez pulled off the hat trick, and all three were wire jobs. A pair of turf wins for Donnie Meche.
Tags: Harrah's Louisiana Downs, horses to watch, July 17-18 2008Related Stories
POSTED IN: Handicapping, Horses, Jockeys, Miscellaneous, Racetracks, Trainers
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