Stakes Streak on the Line for Oeuvre in Tuesday’s Mardi Gras – Astute looks for a clean trip after falling back early in the Menard

New Orleans, La (Feb. 20, 2023) – – With an oversubscribed field of 16 older fillies and mares signed on, Dick Perkins’ homebred Oeuvre looks to keep her stakes win streak alive in Tuesday’s 79th running of the $100,000 Mardi Gras Stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. The 5 1/2 furlongs Mardi Gras to be run over the Stall-Wilson Turf course will go as Race 8 of 9 with a post time of 4:45 p.m. CT. With the portable rail set at 34 feet, the field is limited to eight starters.

In last month’s $100,000 Nelson Menard Stakes, Oeuvre kept front-runner Charlie T in her sights and made her move at the top of the stretch to beat that runner by two lengths. After winning her first stakes over Hawthorne’s main track in the Powerless, the Chris Block trainee shipped to Fair Grounds and won the $100,000 Pan Zareta, also on the dirt. She’s been stabled here ever since, and her win in the Menard put her win streak at three and proved her turf form. The 4-year-old Illinois-bred drew post No. 4 and she will retain the services of Jareth Loveberry.

Charlie T entered the Mardi Gras as well but will need a scratch as she drew post No. 9, first-up on the also-eligible list.

Drawing immediately to Oeuvre’s inside, LNJ Foxwoods’ Astute will look for an easier trip after encountering trouble when finishing third in the Menard, which was her first start in 20 months. A two-time stakes winner on the lead, Astute had to check early in the Menard, dropping six lengths back, and then make a wide move to drive home for third. Trained by Brad Cox, who won his 2,000th career race this past Saturday at Fair Grounds, the 5-year-old mare will be piloted by Florent Geroux.

Here is the complete field for the Mardi Gras Stakes from the rail out (with jockey, trainer, and morning line): 1. Aboukir Bay (James Graham, Jason Barkley, 8-1); 2. Minute Waltz (David Cohen, Philip Bauer, 6-1); 3. Astute (Florent Geroux, Brad Cox, 3-1); 4. Oeuvre (Jareth Loveberry, Chris Block, 5-2); 5. Perfect Happiness (Mitchell Murrill, Chris Hartman, 6-1); 6. Miner’s Queen (Rey Gutierrez, Rey Hernandez, 12-1); 7. New Boss (Deshawn Parker, Bret Calhoun, 12-1); 8. Goin’ Good (Colby Hernandez, Brad Cox, 4-1); Also Eligibles: 9. Charlie T (Mitchell Murrill, Lee Thomas, 4-1); 10. Sweet Temperament (Corey Lanerie, Keith Bourgeois, 6-1); 11. Salvaje (Brian Hernandez Jr., Cherie DeVaux, 6-1); 12. Broke Financing (Brianne Culp, Dwayne Jackson, 20-1); Main Track Only: 13. Cheetara (James Graham, Ignacio Correas, 4-1); 14. Hazy Command (Edgar Morales, Tom Amoss, 3-1); 15. Lastchanceforlove (Rey Gutierrez, Bret Calhoun, 7-2); 16. Mercy Warren (Brian Hernandez Jr., Cherie DeVaux, 7-2).

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