Picks made for fast track and on turf
Race 1
3. Bless D’South: Giving this one another chance after first start troubles.
5. Honeysuckledelight: The one to beat at short odds on the drop down in class.
Race 2
3. Arklahoma Soul: Chased while wide which is a tough situation to win going short here.
5. Electric Sense: Big win in last by daylight, comes back at the right level and short price.
Race 3
6. Sweet Vidalia: Ran well off the first out winning race; cold improve at a nice price.
3. Sunshine Star: Off a layoff for leading trainer whose horses have been running every race.
Race 4
4. Mangum: All races around two turns which helps in race filled up with speed.
2. Stiff Drink: Our choice in last outing; giving this one another shot at a nice price again.
Race 5
3. Ready for Change: Ran well in last; a repeat would be tough to beat in here.
5. Donya Know It: Big win in last for new trainer/owner; may be facing tougher today.
Race 6
4. Charriere: Ran very well first outing; doesn’t need to improve to win this second start.
5. Divina Dulce: Could be the value here as improvement from first start is guaranteed.
Race 7
3. Nelson Avenue: Always looked like a winner in last; Geroux back to ride; could be nice one.
2. Big Blue Line: Has some tactical speed to sit off and pounce from the rail under Lanerie.
Race 8
8. Aboukir Bay: Has won two in a row with a come-from-way-back style that fits here.
4. Violenza: Also has a come-from-behind style which is the preferred way to get the win.
IF OFF TURF: 3-7
Race 9
4. War Room: Running against tougher in first three starts and new barn and rider today.
10. Little Man Can: Big longshot off over a year can come back running at a huge price.
Around the track
Terrific weather for a solid nine-race card highlighted by the Nelson Menard Stakes going as the eighth race. The turf course is getting back to some semblance of normality and the rails will again be out so runners have to run on the outside part of the course. This has favored the closers and outside horses. Nelson Menard was a jockey for more than 30 years and was Clerk of Scales at the Fair Grounds when he died. Nelson won more than 1,000 races and was a leading rider at Louisiana tracks from the mid 1970s until his retirement in 1988.
Best bet
Our best bet will be in Race 8: No. 8 Aboukir Bay. Just has the perfect style to win this turf affair. Good luck and may they all come home safely.