Fair Grounds: How to bet the Thanksgiving Classic Stakes

A field of seven will go postward in Thursday’s $175,000 Thanksgiving Classic S. at Fair Grounds. The well-matched cast attracted a sophomore, as well as a filly, in what looks to be an intriguing betting endeavor.

The Keith Desormeaux-trained #3 Surveillance (9-2) is just 3-for-19 in his career, but the five-year-old is perfect from a pair of tries on the Fair Grounds surface. By Constitution, the gelding has been in solid form as of late with a trio of good runs at Churchill Downs in advance of Thursday, and the Kentucky-bred can run from up close, or from well off the pace, too.

Surveillance, who was a bargain $25,000 yearling purchase, will be dead fit and ready for this six-furlong dash with James Graham in the silks. I expect the five-year-old to track the tempo from the second flight before being asked for his best work at the top of the stretch.

#1 Heart Rhythm (3-1) was claimed for $100,000 two back and rewarded his new connections with a victory in his initial try for trainer John Ortiz last time out. The bay four-year-old has evolved into a very solid sprinter over the past two campaigns, and he beat a good one at Keeneland last time while registering a hefty 99 Brisnet Speed figure in the process, the best of his lifetime.

The Flat Out colt is 4-for-7 at the distance and shows two solid morning moves on the surface in anticipation of his first try at Fair Grounds. He possesses tactical speed and will be in range throughout while saving ground under the guidance of Reylu Gutierrez.

The oft-conservative Al Stall will saddle the once-beaten #6 Carribean Caper (4-1) to face the boys for the first time in her career. The Grade 3 victress came off a long layoff to finish fourth at Colonial Downs last time out, and the Speightstown filly will surely move forward in her second appearance in 14 months.

Caribbean Caper has experience on the oval when dominating maiden special weight foes locally in her debut showing, and the four-year-old shows a solid recent half-mile morning drill here, as well. Regular pilot Colby Hernandez will be up and stalking the pace atop the win contender from the opening bell.

Thanksgiving Classic Wagers

$10 win and place: #3 Surveillance ($20)

$5 exacta key box: 3 with 1,6 ($20)

$2 trifecta box: 1,3,6 ($12)