Fair Grounds: Stakes Wagers for Friday, Nov. 18, 2022

A trio of black-type events for Cajun-bred ladies will highlight a fine Friday card at Fair Grounds.

Race 4: Big World S.

Eight fillies and mares will go postward in this two-turn dirt affair. #1 Fort Polk (7-2) represents the best value in the field for conditioner Patrick Mouton. The six-year-old has won or placed in six of her eight tries on the surface in advance of Friday, and the mare also owns a victory over the morning-line favorite. The mare by Behindatthebar has been very consistent in 2022 and should enjoy a nice trip just off the early tempo while saving ground throughout.

• $30 win: #1 Fort Polk ($30)

Race 6: Donovan L. Ferguson Memorial S.

Eight juvenile fillies will dash 5 1/2 furlongs on the dirt in the $75,000 tilt. I don’t think we’ve seen the best from #7 Free Drop Maddy (5-2) as of yet for trainer Bret Calhoun. The $200,000 daughter of Free Drop Billy comes off a nice stakes try when runner-up at Delta last time out, and the bay will appreciate the cutback in distance on this occasion. Jockey Reylu Gutierrez will press the pace from the opening bell.

• $20 win and place: #7 Free Drop Maddy ($40)

Race 8: Happy Ticket S.

A six-furlong heat for fillies and mares attracted a talented field of nine led by heavy morning-line choice #4 Ova Charged (3-5). Conditioned by Jose Camejo, the four-year-old is two-for-two on the surface and rates a huge chance in her second appearance of 2022. I’m willing to key her on top despite the minuscule price.

For the gimmicks, I believe that #9 Medley (10-1) is a good one to key underneath. By Dominus, the late runner from the barn of Steve Asmussen has proven to be a very good fit with Louisiana-bred competition in her last trio of tries, led by a pair of fine runs on this strip from as many tries. The three-year-old will have a robust pace with which to rally into late for rider Marcelino Pedroza, Jr.

• $3 trifecta: 4 with 9 with all ($21)
• $2 trifecta: 4 with all with 9 ($14)