Louisiana Champions Day Pick 3 Play

A total of seven black-type events for Cajun-bred runners will highlight a big day of action at Fair Grounds on Saturday. 

Race 8 Wager

• $3 Pick 3: 4,5,9 with 10 with 2,3,11 ($27)

Race 8 – Ladies Sprint S. 

#5 Free Like A Girl (4-5) is the class of the dash, but she takes a big cutback in distance and could potentially be vulnerable at a small number. The two-time Grade-1 placed mare is a must-use, nonetheless, but topping her in the opening leg will add a lot of value to the play. 

Steve Asmussen’s #4 Freeburn (9-2) was a sharp second on the strip off of a lengthy absence and will surely improve second off the shelf. The Mitole sophomore dons a 6-3-3-0 mark on the oval and has Jose Ortiz in the stirrups. 

The Allen Landry-trained #9 Six String (5-1), who finished a neck behind Freeburn most recently, also has appeal from the outside post. Ben Curtis will pilot the Star Guitar three-year-old. 

Race 9 – Ladies Turf S. 

A full field of fillies and mares will go about 1 1/16 miles on the lawn in the middle leg. I really like morning-line choice #10 Boomin’ Belle (5-2) in this spot with Jareth Loveberry in the silks. The Mike Maker trainee has run two good ones since being claimed for $75,000 in May, and the sophomore will likely peak in her third run off the break. The Get Stormy lass has the tactical speed to be in range throughout before taking over late in her local bow. 

Race 10 – Sprint S. 

A deep field of 13 will dash six panels in the finale. I used #2 Geaux Sugar (8-1) at big odds in his stakes score on the oval on November 23 and I feel compelled to include him once again for Keith Bourgeois. This speedy son of Half Ours has a fine post spot to clear early and he wouldn’t be a surprise under Mitchell Murrill. 

#3 El Dinero (9-2) was a closing second in the Andrew Ney Memorial S. most recently and will be in the hunt late with his best performance. The Patrick Devereux pupil has the top turn of foot in the field and also loves Fair Grounds. 

I’m not sure if #11 Jack Hammer (3-1) is a true sprinter, but the Bret Calhoun trainee is unbeaten from four sprint events to date, and the morning-line choice has to be included coming in with a three-race win streak. The Jimmy Creed four-year-old will stalk the early pace under Jose Ortiz. 

Good Luck!