Fairgrounds 2/5

[The One]

Race 1 -
#6 OAK RIVER ran 2nd at this level last time out. He's been running well at the FG all meet and should be a factor again today. #3 SAREPTA HORNET ran 3rd behind OAK RIVER in his last race. He hasn't missed a trifecta since July. #2 ITTA BENA BOY ran 4th behind the top two in that January 21st race. He may improve while making his second start of the meet.

6-3-2

Race 2 -
#6 HOH FLYER HOH ran a big 2nd at odds of 9-1 after dropping down to this level in his last race. That was only his second lifetime start and he could improve today. #12 DESOLATION ROW is a first time starter breaking from the 12 hole. Even so, in this field he looks like a contender. #2 DAY IN RIO is another first time starter, but he gets a more favorable post position breaking from position 2. Lonnie Meche rides and he has plenty of success with first time starters.

6-12-2

Race 3 -
#6 ZENATO has been running consistently well, most recently finishing 2nd by a close neck over a sloppy track on December 30th. He gets back to his best surface, the turf course, today. #7 SEVENAPRILADTHIRTY trailed the field in his last race while making his 1st start off of a layoff. He didn't appear to care for the off going and could improve making his second start off of the layoff and also getting back to his best surface. #3 WILLTOSUCCEED usually finishes in the money although he hasn't won in quite awhile. He will be picking up the pieces in the stretch.

6-7-3

Race 4 -
#3 SARA'S ARTIC JEWEL has run at this level at the FG three times already and has been improving with every start. She gets a rider switch today to Ramsey Zimmerman. #1 COUNTRY MAIDEN is another who has been showing improvement in both of her starts at this level at the FG. One more step up makes her tough in this spot. #6 TREASURE'S OF GOLD is the only first time starter in the field. She has been working over the FG track and is a horse who could sneak up at a price.

3-1-6

Race 5 -
#2 CAT IN THE TREE makes her second start of the meet after finishing last on January 22nd over a sloppy track. She gets back to turf sprinting and Robby Albarado rides back. #8 TATUM GIRL won the only time she ran in a turf sprint at odds of 18-1. She may surprise again and appears to be in good form now after running 2nd in her last over a sloppy track. #1A DEVIN BOUND has only missed the trifecta two times since November of '05. The consistent runner will be trying the turf for the first time.

2-8-1A

Race 6 -
#4 MR. MESO was much the best defeating a field of 10 in strong wire to wire fashion on December 30th. He makes his 3rd start of the meet and once again appears to hold the speed card. #5 GOLDEN GLEN drops back into 50,000 claiming races after running 8th in a stakes race at Sam Houston. Before that, he won at this level and just missed twice by only a neck each time. #6 HOME OF STARS is in for a tag for the first time in over a year. He managed to get only three 3rds last year in tougher races, but he fits well here.

4-5-6

Race 7 -
#3 CAT GENIUS has gone 2 for 2 here at the FG at this 5 1/2 furlong distance, once on the turf and once on the main track. It's hard to go against his consistency and he once again looks like the horse to catch. #2 PASKETTY runs fresh today and is another horse with plenty of speed. He's been running longer distances but he has been training well for this race and has three 2nd place finished at this distance. #1A PARKER RUN has run against CAT GENIUS in both of his FG starts, once finishing 2nd and once 3rd.

3-2-1A

Race 8 -
#6 SMOKEYJONESSUTTON hasn't run since finishing 3rd in the G2 Indiana Derby on October 7th. He's easily the class of the field and has been working regularly over the FG track for trainer Dallas Stewart. #10 BEST YEARS dominated a maiden special weight field in his last start, drawing off impressively to win by almost 10 lengths. We should get a clue today on how good he really is. #3 TWISTING ROAD has been running on the grass lately. He disappointed as the favorite in his last two races but gets back on the main track today.

6-10-3

Race 9 -
#6 REGWELL has three wins and two close 2nds for his last five starts. The only knock against him is that he is yet to win on the grass although he did finish 2nd by 1/2 a length in his lone try two races back. #8 PRIMAL PEAK won at this distance on the turf course in his last race. He now takes the next step up the class ladder while making his 2nd start since being claimed by Cody Autrey. #5 WESTMORELAND will be making his first FG start after running on the Woodbine polytrack in his last three races. He's had some good works over the FG track and has a shown a versatile running style that should help him to find position in this tough race.

6-8-5

Race 10 -
It's more than a little surprising to see #4 SON OF JOR EL entered in this race. The intact son of Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus has had only one race, a tough maiden special weight run over a sloppy track on December 30th. He ran fourth that day behind three strong horses. Now he's dropping into a state-bred 12,500 claimer...#3 VALID SCORE appears to be improving after running a decent 3rd at this level and distance last time out at odds of 13-1. Jesse Campbell stays with him for his 5th start of the meet. #8 LOCOMOTIVATION raced at this level in his lone start finishing 4th at 2-1. He was claimed out of that race on December 23rd, and now shows up at the same level for his second lifetime start but with the addition of 1st time lasix.

4-3-8

[tw burke]

thanks
are you any good at pickin ?

[rayguns32]

3 winners and a couple of 2nd place finishes, i guess it wasnt all bad..... not as good as i wanted though.