Thoughts so far down here in the Big Easy...
This has been quite an adventure and there is more to come in the final months of racing at Fair Grounds, but so far here is some information I would like to pass along to fellow horse racing fans...
1. I particularly like to watch horses that lay close on the main track and closers on the grass, however, it can vary race to race.
2. Trainer and jockey combinations play a big role in selecting horses at this track. (Hint: Rider Rosie Napravnik has been unstoppable, and pay attention to jockeys swapping barns to try to ride the right horse.)
3. The food rocks in the South and being allergic to shellfish is not fun when you live in New Orleans. I have found that the Chicken Caesar wrap and beef brisket is quite tasty on the first floor at the track plus I have found many appetizing options on the menu in the Clubhouse.
4. Starlight Racing really is a fun night! It's more than you expect with a nice-looking crowd, great food and drinks, live music, and of course, racing under the lights all night long. Next Starlight Racing is Feb. 18th at 5 p.m.
5. It has been chilly on Gentilly (one of the crossroads FG sits on) as New Orleans has been experiencing abnormally cooler temperatures this time of year. One local quoted to me, "This is the coldest I can remember in 20 years." My deepest apologies for bringing the blistering cold weather from up North.
6. The biggest race of the meet is on March 26th when the some of the most promising 3yos compete for $1 million in the Louisiana Derby with hopes to bring them closer to compete on the first Saturday in May.
7. 2010 Belmont Stakes winner DROSSELMEYER is pointed to the GIII Mineshaft Stakes on Feb. 19th.
8. Stay tune as we will have the line up for the GII Risen Star Stakes, which is the second leg of the Derby preps, in the upcoming week.
9. The website is a great place to get up-to-date information on racing everyday from breaking news, statistics, pick 4 plays, weekly blogs and videos, and my very own picks daily!
10. My goal is hit the Super High 5 wager "straight" offered in the final race one of these days!
Other news...
Corey Lanerie won his 3,000th career win last Thursday here aboard NATIVE MAMBO for trainer Steve Margolis. Barn and rider have been hot in the recent weeks of racing.
1. I particularly like to watch horses that lay close on the main track and closers on the grass, however, it can vary race to race.
2. Trainer and jockey combinations play a big role in selecting horses at this track. (Hint: Rider Rosie Napravnik has been unstoppable, and pay attention to jockeys swapping barns to try to ride the right horse.)
3. The food rocks in the South and being allergic to shellfish is not fun when you live in New Orleans. I have found that the Chicken Caesar wrap and beef brisket is quite tasty on the first floor at the track plus I have found many appetizing options on the menu in the Clubhouse.
4. Starlight Racing really is a fun night! It's more than you expect with a nice-looking crowd, great food and drinks, live music, and of course, racing under the lights all night long. Next Starlight Racing is Feb. 18th at 5 p.m.
5. It has been chilly on Gentilly (one of the crossroads FG sits on) as New Orleans has been experiencing abnormally cooler temperatures this time of year. One local quoted to me, "This is the coldest I can remember in 20 years." My deepest apologies for bringing the blistering cold weather from up North.
6. The biggest race of the meet is on March 26th when the some of the most promising 3yos compete for $1 million in the Louisiana Derby with hopes to bring them closer to compete on the first Saturday in May.
7. 2010 Belmont Stakes winner DROSSELMEYER is pointed to the GIII Mineshaft Stakes on Feb. 19th.
8. Stay tune as we will have the line up for the GII Risen Star Stakes, which is the second leg of the Derby preps, in the upcoming week.
9. The website is a great place to get up-to-date information on racing everyday from breaking news, statistics, pick 4 plays, weekly blogs and videos, and my very own picks daily!
10. My goal is hit the Super High 5 wager "straight" offered in the final race one of these days!
Other news...
Corey Lanerie won his 3,000th career win last Thursday here aboard NATIVE MAMBO for trainer Steve Margolis. Barn and rider have been hot in the recent weeks of racing.
Congrats to local rider Shaun Bridgmohan winning the GI Donn Handicap at Gulfstream aboard GIANT OAK for Chris Block.
Barns to watch: Tom Amoss, Al Stall Jr, Ray Sibille, Michael Maker,and Steve Margolis.
And Happy Birthday to rider Rosie Napravnik, who just celebrated last Wednesday and she is FG's current leading rider with 57 wins leading into this week of racing. Possibly a new leading rider for the meet on the horizon and the jockey is a female...history in the making!
Everyone have a great week and best of luck in the races to come!
Fair Grounds Analyst
Katie Mikolay