Monday Morning Message with Jason Beem for March 24, 2025

Jason discusses the season's end at the Fair Grounds and some favorite Fair Grounds memories. 

A good Monday morning to you all! What a fun week of racing action between Turfway and Fair Grounds as we continue to march forward in the Kentucky Derby (G1) trail. Another big week this week with the Arkansas and Florida Derby (G1) races on tap. Both races are already drawn, and I’m looking forward to diving into them both on my podcasts this week.  

I saw a tweet from Fair Grounds’ announcer John G. Dooley last night reflecting on his 20th anniversary of calling the races there in New Orleans. Growing up in Washington, Fair Grounds was a track I knew almost nothing about until about 2003 or so. I feel like as a kid we just saw the local races in Washington and the big national races like the Kentucky Derby and Breeders’ Cup. But I have this very strong memory of being in the second floor at Emerald Downs and seeing a race on simulcast from Fair Grounds and thinking “I’ve never seen a yellow starting gate before!” I don’t remember when they got rid of the big yellow gate, but I always got a kick out of that when I’d watch Fair Grounds back then. 

My favorite Dooley at Fair Grounds call is still Pyro’s win in the 2008 Risen Star S. (G3). When they got to the top of the lane, I remember John’s shock – along with all of us watching – “Pyro’s last!” he yelled! He even repeated it, adding to the feeling of desperation of his many backers. But Pyro navigated his way through and then on the outside started to explode. 

“Pyro, like a rocket ship!” he called. 

I remember loving the race and the call and then that night seeing that the race and the call had made Sportscenter’s Top 10 segment. It’s crazy now to imagine a horse race making it onto Sportscenter at all, never mind a stakes race in mid-February from the Fair Grounds. But the call and the race were just that good I guess. 

Congratulations to John G. on the 20 years. He’s a good guy and a great representative for the game and for racecallers. 

As far as the Louisiana Derby (G2) itself, Tiztastic was a horse I had kind of given up on even back in the Southwest S. (G3). I didn’t think he had all that bad of a trip and still kind of just ran an OK third in that race. 

I think one of my biggest weaknesses as a handicapper is trying to gauge who might move forward in a race when new distances are added. Well, he certainly appreciated the extra distance and worked out a very nice trip for Joel Rosario. Tiztastic kind of just followed Chunk of Gold down on the inside and switched out and ran that one down. I think both horses will likely be longshots come the first Saturday in May, and both will likely have to come from far back if they’re to contend. 

Everyone have a great week ahead!