Fair Grounds Pick 4 play for Dec. 11

Fair Grounds (Hodges Photography / Amanda Hodges Weir)

Fair Grounds will play host to Louisiana Champions Day on Saturday, when seven black-type events for Cajun-bred runners will highlight a massive card. A Pick 4 scheduled early in the card, capped by the most lucrative event on the slate, is the sequence that intrigues me most.

Race 5 – Ladies Distaff

The 1 1/16-mile affair on the dirt attracted a manageable field of five. I am not sure how classy #4 Winning Romance (5-1) is for Bret Calhoun, but the sophomore has been facing open company of late and she looks like the controlling speed in the field. First Samurai filly looms a threat to lead at every call at a nice price.

#3 Net A Bear (7-5) rolls in with three stakes tallies in succession, and the morning-line choice will be the major one to hold off late in this affair. Awesome Bet mare will be motoring home in the lane under Thornton.

Race 6 – Allowance/Optional Claiming

A field of 10 fillies and mares will go about one mile on the green in a tough race to narrow down for me. I can’t find a lot of separation between the morning-line choice and the longshots, so the ‘all’ button will be implemented in leg 2.

Race 7 – Ladies Sprint

Fillies and mares will dash six panels on the main strip in the third leg of the sequence. I see a pair of standouts in the heat and will include both of the talented ladies. #3 Cilla (6-5) has been on a roll of late for Brinkman, with a trio of stakes victories coming from her last four assignments. A fine winner of the Prioress S. (G2) at Saratoga two back, the daughter of California Chrome was a strong third in the Raven Run S. (G2) at Keeneland in her most recent endeavor.

The once-beaten #5 Ova Charged (7-5) was a very nice runner-up in the Victory Ride S. (G3) at Belmont Park in July, and she returned with a dominant allowance win locally to prepare for Saturday. I can’t see another in the cast upsetting this formidable duo.

Race 8 – Classic

The finale attracted a field of eight, and I will go two deep to conclude my play. #8 Highland Creek (6-1) is my upset selection for conditioner Bret Calhoun. Sophomore son of Broken Vow has always flashed ability and seems poised for a breakthrough in this spot at a fair number.

#3 Pound for Pound (5-2) has been consistently good over the past year, and the Redding Colliery gelding loves the Fair Grounds surface. The six-year-old will be forcing the pace from the opening bell with Aubrie Green in the stirrups.