Hanson: Maiden races predominant in Lecomte Day middle Pick 3

While my colleagues Scott Shapiro and James Scully have proffered thoughts on Saturday's All-Stakes Pick 4 at Fair Grounds, an earlier Pick 3 on the 13-race card, encompassing races 7 through 9, gives fans of maiden races much to chew on.

The first two races in the sequence are maiden special weights for 3-year-olds, with the closing leg the $75,000 Marie Krantz Memorial for fillies and mares on the turf. Here's how we'll be playing it, provided the two turf races stay on that surface as scheduled.

Race 7 -- Maiden

This 9-furlong turf event includes #5 SPANISH KINGDOM (9-2), who fell a half-length short after a prolonged stretch battle in his debut on the grass. A couple price horses could also factor including #8 DECLARED (15-1), a Calumet homebred by Hard Spun and out of Garden City (G1) winner Magnificent Song. The debut performance at Turfway of #10 KOKO STAR (20-1) looks too bad to be true. A Kitten's Joy full brother to multiple G3 winner Csaba and the Grade 1-placed stakes winner Kitten's Queen, he might also be worth a look in the straight pools for the typically dangerous Mike Maker barn.

Race 8 -- Maiden

A pair of Steve Asmussen-trained first-time starters look well meant in this 6-furlong dash. #4 EARNER (7-2) is out of a half-sister to Grade 3 winner Devious Intent and Pioneer Spirit, recent winner of the Tenacious S. over this track. #6 ECHO TOWN (6-1) is out of Grade 2 heroine Letgomyecho and is half-brother to Gotham (G3) winner J Boys Echo. Among the previous starters, #1 MAN OF HONOR (9-2) bears watching after a narrow loss on opening weekend.

Race 9 -- Marie Krantz Memorial

#1 QUEBEC (7-2) prepped in a race that was much too short for her in the about 5 1/2-furlong Pan Zareta S., but should fit much better in this longer event. Sharp second two back behind multiple graded stakes winner Toinette. #5 LA SIGNARE (9-2) has raced sporadically since taking the 2018 Wonder Again (G3), but just missed in her debut for Brendan Walsh and one of the few in here with the requisite back class.

Here's the $1 ticket:

5,8,10 with 1,4,6 with 1,5 = $18