Fair Grounds Pick 3 play for Dec. 3

Hodges Photography

December 2nd, 2020

Fair Grounds begins its second week with a nine-race card, and turf racing has been washed off so far in New Orleans. More rain is expected on Thursday.

I will focus upon a Pick 3 sequence in the middle of the program.

Race 5

The $5,000 claiming race at 6 furlongs did not attract much pace. #4 Ninth Street enters on the upswing, recording a pair of back-to-back commendable performances at Louisiana Downs, and should be prominent from the start with Colby Hernandez.

#8 Chief Envoy and #9 Kasilof are eligible to receive favorable trips from outside posts, and #6 Insurrection, who owns formidable Brisnet Speed ratings for Steve Asmussen, will be also be included.

Race 6

A solid field of fillies and mares has been entered for the 1 1/16-mile turf allowance. #9 Figure It Out, entered for the main track only, will be singled if the race is switched. The 4-year-old looks like the controlling speed for Tom Amoss and James Graham.

#8 In Good Spirits will be used on turf – the Grade 3-placed filly did not run well on the main track last time. #7 Desert Oasis returned from a layoff earlier this year with a nice allowance win at Santa Anita, and she’s a threat for Neil Drysdale adding blinkers and Florent Geroux off a freshening.

Race 7

An overflow field of 12 Louisiana-breds has been entered for the 6-furlong maiden special weight, and #1 Louisianalightning will make his first start. Purchased for $125,000 at last year’s OBS April 2-year-old sale, the Competitive Edge gelding shows bullet half-mile works at Keeneland and Fair Grounds for Michael Stidham. He figures to show speed from the rail with Geroux.

#11 Candy Shopper, who invades from Golden Gate Fields, has the best form among those with experience.