Fair Grounds Stakes Spot Plays for March 26

A trio of black-type events for Cajun-bred runners will highlight the closing-day card at Fair Grounds on Sunday.

Race 13 – Star Guitar S.

A total of seven horses will go postward in the 1 1/16-mile dirt contest. #3 Behemah Star (7-2) is the defending champ in the race and seemingly has the best chance of any to register an upset in the field for conditioner Jose Camejo. The dark bay son of Star Guitar has upped his game since adding blinkers three back with a trio of fine runner-up finishes in succession, and he has been first or second in each of his six prior engagements on the course. Reylu Gutierrez will be in the stirrups.

Race 14 – Page Cortez S.

The 5 1/2-furlong dash on the carpet attracted a dozen fillies and mares, with three of those being on the also-eligible list. I’m intrigued with #9 First I’ve Seen (8-1) from the barn of Victor Arceneaux. By Astrology, the four-year-old filly will make just her second lifetime run on the lawn in the dash but has a lot of appeal from off the pace in a cast with a bevy of early speed signed on. The consistent bay has won or placed in nine straight races dating back to April, and she will be a nice price with regular pilot Casey Fusilier in the silks.

Race 15 – Shantel Lanerie Memorial S.

The finale will see an octet of fillies and mares traveling two turns on the main oval. It’s difficult for me to look past #7 Nosilverspoonshere (3-1) in her third assignment for trainer Tom Amoss. The $125,000 daughter of Connect has been super impressive since arriving at this venue while crushing a pair of allowance fields by a combined 25 1/2 lengths this campaign. Capable of running from on the lead or slightly off of the pace, the dark bay will sit a perfect voyage in the clear while forcing the action early, and she will be too tough with anything resembling her best effort. Corey Lanerie riding adds a whole lot to her appeal.