Fair Grounds Pick of the Week for March 2

Saturday's sixth race at Fair Grounds is a maiden special weight for three-year-old fillies at about one mile on the turf, and the likely strong favorite is #2 Amandrea, who ships in from Gulfstream for trainer Mike Maker after three consecutive third-place efforts on that ostensibly tougher circuit. There's no value to be had on that filly, but #11 GRANDEZZA (6-1) could improve trying grass for the first time. The Dallas Stewart-trained daughter of the late Scat Daddy, a 16% first-time turf sire, did not have the best of starts or trip in her six-furlong debut in December, but bounced back with a clear second-place effort to Tasting the Starts when stretching out. That rival is now two-for-two after a four-length allowance win in early February. Grandezza took a step back last time when finishing last of seven, but worth noting that she was bumped at the break and, more importantly, she was out-finished by a number of older fillies with a maturity edge (the winner was a three-year-old who got a loose lead). A change in surface could help this $210,000 weanling purchase. Her older half-sister by Orb broke her maiden on the turf earlier this year at Gulfstream. She also descends from Possible Mate, who in turn reared Fairy Garden. Both were multiple Grade 2 winners on the turf.   Fair Grounds (c) Holly M. Smith Photography 2019