Mikolay's Plays

Day 84 of 84 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots

Sunday, March 31^st, 2012

Happy Easter Everyone!

Race 1:  (TURF)

ACCENT drops in class to help her chances of winning at a longer distance this season.  She runs for the top trainer and gets the top rider in the irons.  TOUCH OF REVENGE also steps down a level, but needs to show more on the grass to be a player at any class level.  HOODATCROOK exits a key race with multiple repeat winners.  He may not have been a fan of a yielding turf course as well.

PLAYS 2-9-7

Race 2:

HUMOR’S PUNCH has been very consistent hitting the board even against tougher fields to make him the one to beat for leading trainer.  He just missed in his latest behind hard knocking ADMIRAL NELSON and has the potential to improve third start off the break.   RAZMATAZ exits the same race as top pick to make it a good match-up between the two horses and the two trainers that both reaching for another trainer title.  He competes third start off a long break and likely to run well again today.  ACE AND JIM won his last start elsewhere hoping to dominate in his new surroundings.  He has eight wins at the distance to make this newcomer a big threat turning for home.

PLAYS 7-9-1A

Race 3:

LOST HIGHWAY returns fresh with two moderate works to get over the hump today with a big drop in class.  OUTRIGHT VENTURE also has been knocking at the door to break his maiden.  Most of his trips have been wide this season and may be the case again with an outside draw.  SOUP R LION exits a troubled trip that may move forward in a soft maiden field.

PLAYS 7-10-9

Race 4:  (TURF)

DECLAN has been setting the early pace then fading down the stretch.  The 4yo should like the turn back in distance plus he rate just off the pace for the perfect trip.  OTTER COVE is facing older horses first time, but did win in impressive fashion off the pace in his most recent start to be dangerous for the top barn.  WANDERING KITTEN drops in class with a win over the grass.  He raced fourth behind a repeat winner and just needs a clean trip.

PLAYS 9-7-8

Race 5:

RADIANT TALENT has several performances in the money and his most recent win was against condition allowance foes last summer.  He makes his second start off the long break with two bullet workouts.  MAKE A FORTUNE has been facing sharp sprinters at the allowance level all season. This 5yo will be dangerous from the outside if he repeats his last performance.  PARABELLUM has been a sharp closer in sprint races that returns off a brief freshening to dominate in the stretch.

PLAYS 4-7-5

Race 6:

PAINTED WARRIOR has flashed early speed in the past against tougher maiden groups.  He struggled in his latest performance with a race full of speedsters.  He runs with blinkers on and he’s the outside speed.   JSLOOKOVRURSHOULDA should like the shorter distance today.  WANNA BE FAMOUS could get his picture taken today since this race sets up for a closer.  He exits a sharp effort over the track.

PLAYS 11-3-9

Race 7:

WHITEVILLE runs second off the claim that did improve last time out.  He should be tracking the early pacesetters to graduate today.  SAINTLY BREES was a wire to wire winner in his latest and leads into this in sharp form.  ANDALAY did break his maiden for $25k earlier this season, but hasn’t fired since with slower pace races.  He will benefit late with a hot pace.

PLAYS 5-12-6

Race 8:  (TURF)

FRIEND OF INDY won this level last time and nows runs for the tag.  Today he must face several horses dropping class since it’s the last day of the meet to make it a tougher assignment for the five-time winner for top connections.  HAYNESVILLE SHALE gets some class relief to offer more at the windows especially with a better pace set-up today.  SLIGEAUX BEAU ran well for his first start with a different outfit off the bench.  He could move forward for his second start off a long vacation.

PLAYS 10-8-2

Race 9:

JULIET’S PAINTED has multiple wins against older horses and could peak in this spot with the right trip for the L. Jones stable.  PAINTED WOMEN raced evenly in her latest even though brushed by another foe.  She switches back to the dirt to be more of a threat against allowance company.  She was stakesplaced as a 3yo so brings some class to the table.  FAST CITY goes for six straight wins to not leave out of the mix with her early speed.

PLAYS 2-8-4

Race 10:  THE BAYOU ST. JOHN STAKES  (TURF)

SU CASA G CASA has tactical ability that has been tough in stakes races in the past with multiple stakes victories.  He should be tough right from the beginning.  NO RULES NOW has been able to overcome the outside post in the past to make his still a threat from the outermost post.  He has several wins over this footing and may be able to relax early with a lot of early speed.    YONGAGUSKA is a sharp sprinter that is bred for the grass and may run just as good or better in her first attempt on the grass.

PLAYS 10-14-3

Race 11:

BROCKY BOY should like the turn back in distance after an even effort against similar competition.  THEMISTOCLES broke his maiden in a dirt sprint after he switched barns to a top trainer.  He should continue run well his second time for the new outfit and top rider retaining the mount.  EXECUTIVE CALL has a sharp workout since his maiden victory to be tough at the shorter distance.

PLAYS 11-2-5

Race 12:  (TURF)

TRAGIC MAGIC was wide throughout the race for his first start of the season.  He’s the one to beat second start off the break from a solid turf outfit (15%).  WANDO VENTURE has KY Derby rider Calvin Borel to help his chances returning to the winner’s circle.  He has a bad break in his latest plus he faced tougher competition on the grass.  WAJIR ON ME made a big late move over the dirt last time.  He moves up in class, but in good form with several wins over the softer footing.

PLAYS 6-1-4-7-5

It's been another wonderful season at the Fair Grounds!  Looking forward to next year and hope you have a great summer!

Off to Keeneland!  Katie

(BEST BET OF THE DAY IS IN BOLD TYPE)

(Races scheduled on the TURF could be scratched and moved to the dirt main track, therefore, PLAYS may change...tune in via simulcast!)

RACES             WIN                PLACE             SHOW

   817                  276                    147                   126

Best of the luck this season!  Enjoy new .50-cent trifectas, Pick Three’s, and Super High-5’s this meet.   Fair Grounds will host the 100^th running of the Grade II Louisiana Derby on March 30th!

See everyone at the races!

Katie Mikolay

Racing Analyst