Fair Grounds Stakes Spot Plays for Dec. 31

A total of four black-type events will lead the way at Fair Grounds on Saturday.

Race 2 – Louisiana Futurity (fillies)

The six-furlong heat for two-year-old fillies attracted seven Cajun-breds. I see this as a two-horse race with Louisiana Champions Day Lassie S. runner-up #5 Norah G (4-5) and recent maiden winner #7 Hopeitsmyluckyday (9-2), with the edge going to the former. The other five contenders in the field look to be up against it, in my opinion.

Louisiana Futurity (fillies) Wagers

• $25 exacta 5 with 7 ($25)
• $10 exacta 7 with 5 ($10)

Race 5 – Woodchopper S.

Eight sophomores will travel one mile on the green in the $100,000 tilt. #5 Sutherland (6-1) has never run a bad race on the lawn while winning and placing in each of his five turf tests for conditioner Bret Calhoun. Twirling Candy gelding stretches out beyond a sprint distance for the initial time, but the Silverton Hill homebred gives the impression of a prospect who will handle eight panels, and I like his chances to make a major impact on the race. Go-to pilot Reylu Gutierrez will be in the stirrups.

Woodchopper Wager

• $15 win and place #5 Sutherland ($30)

Race 8 – Pago Hop S.

Sophomore fillies will test the Fair Grounds lawn in the one-mile affair. #3 Dreamworker (5-1), one of three in the cast for conditioner Joe Sharp, might inherit the early lead in a field lacking a confirmed front runner. The capable daughter of Animal Kingdom has earned both of her lifetime tallies on the course, and with a clean break, she could enjoy a favorable voyage from the opening bell. Deshawn Parker will guide the value contender.

Pago Hop Wager

• $20 win and show #3 Dreamworker ($40)

Race 9 – Louisiana Futurity

The juvenile boys will dash six furlongs on the dirt in the final stakes race of the afternoon. I thought that #2 Z Resurrection (3-1) was very impressive in breaking his maiden second time out for trainer James Hodges. Ocean Knight gelding put in a maintenance half-mile drill in advance of his stakes bow, and the chestnut could be the one to catch with a draw inside of the likely one to beat. Brianne Culp retains the mount atop the April foal.

Louisiana Futurity Wager

• $30 win #2 Z Resurrection ($30)