Catching My Eye: Maidens at the Fair Grounds, Nov. 24-27

Racing analyst Kevin Kilroy examines the maidens that impressed him at Fair Grounds during Thanksgiving weekend.

Thursday, Nov. 24

The three-year-old Hard Four won at first asking, overcoming a slow start and a three-wide trip. This big ole son of Hard Spun earned a healthy 81 Brisnet Speed figure. He’s in great hands with trainer Sam David Jr. and will have no problem stepping up though his conditions.

Running Late was much the best against open company, beating a decent field of two-year-olds in Race 6 on Thursday. Going two turns, he stalked 3-4 wide through each, before pouring it on in the stretch. He has high-knee action and more than enough in the tanks to make long distances.

Tom Amoss took this Run Happy colt to Kentucky Downs for his debut, and he broke far back and could never make up that ground to threaten. Still, he showed his talent and willingness to race, passing many in the field and enduring a big late run up the hill. Running Late is one of several two-year-olds in Amoss' care that are poised for a big winter (Hoosier Philly and Curly Jack a few of the others).

Friday, Nov. 25

Each year, Earl Hernandez, Keith Hernandez, and John Duvieilh breed stakes-bound runners at their farm north of New Orleans, and there is no doubt that Geaux Sugar has a stakes win on his horizon. The Half Ours two-year-old trained by Sam David Jr. broke like a jack-hammer and quickly led by four lengths, making the first call in 21.58 seconds. (That is a full second faster than the Kentucky-bred three-year-old males, who opened up at 22.57 sprinting 5 1/2  furlongs three races later.) Geaux Sugar won for fun after that, and earned an 85 Brisnet Speed figure while beating a nice field, including another who caught my eye, Allnight Moonlight.

Allnight Moonlight’s debut was compromised by his rail draw. And when he hopped out of the gate, there was little he could do to catch a speedster like Geaux Sugar. Still he managed and made a game late run for second, earning a 79 Brisnet Speed figure and learning a lot with having to pass horses and maneuver traffic. Next out, you will want this Ron Faucheux-trainee on your tickets.

On a day when all winning runs came on or near the lead, Sweet Vidalia managed to win the sprint finale coming six lengths off the front. Entered in a maiden claiming 10k, Sturges Ducoing’s statebred bumped a foe and fell back early. Jose Riquelme patiently maneuvered her forward before guiding her wide for a late bid down the center of the track.

Earning a 69 Brisnet Speed figure, Sweet Vidalia had the look of a runner facing lesser. An Iron Fist three-year-old, she was claimed out of the race, so don’t be surprised when her new trainer Joey Foster enters her against tougher next out.

Saturday, Nov. 26

Godolphin’s homebred Trick Question impressed me, winning at first asking. Breaking from the rail, this two-year-old trained by Mike Stidham shot out of the gate sharp and immediately set her mind to the lead. David Cohen did well by her, settling her efforts when at the front, and saved more than enough to pull away as My Aunt Snookie menaced late.

The Distorted Humor filly notched an 86 Brisnet Speed figure while taking down a classy field, including the Stonestreet homebred Vivaciously.

Making her debut, Vivaciously was outsprinted early, and James Graham didn’t urge her to keep up. She made a strong closing move and galloped out full of energy. Steve Asmussen was looking to give her a race, and I’d imagine this Into Mischief filly out of Terra Promessa will be going long in her next. Her dam, who ran in the Kentucky Oaks (G1), made her second start a winning one, going from a sprint to route.

Sunday, Nov. 27

Brad Cox’s barn is full of some of the best two-year-olds, and even though Rally Board lost by 1 1/2 lengths on debut, don’t give up on Spendthrift’s $300,000 son of Into Mischief.

He drew the rail, always tough for first-timers, and seemed uncomfortable there early. Marcelino Pedroza noticed this and got him off but mistakenly brought him back there at the top of the stretch. He could have guided Rally Board to the outside of two others, but instead he cut the corner and ended up being stuck between the rail and foe Amanwalksintoabar, unable to make the winning bid. Speed played well on Sunday, and the 20-1 winner Machine Gun Man was loose on the lead. Mulligan.