Pick 3 of the Week: Fair Grounds Saturday

The Pick 3 of the Week will come from Fair Grounds on Saturday, with a sequence of races for the ladies consisting of two turf tilts, as well as a dash on the dirt for Cajun-bred runners. 

Race 3 Wager

$1 Pick 3: 8,10 with 5,6,8,9 with 2,8,10 ($24)

Race 3 – Claiming

Fillies and mares will run about five panels on the sod in the opening leg of the play. #8 Sweet Temperament (7-2) will be tough with her best showing first off the claim for Chris Hartman. The stakes-placed daughter of Temple City was a wire-to-wire winner on the course two back at the $25,000 level and rates a big chance with something resembling that performance. Brian Hernandez, Jr. rides for an outfit at 26% first time off the claim. 

#10 Rocket’s Sister (8-1) has upset appeal at a nice number in her second career run on the green. The Shane Wilson charge was outrun by a sharp winner in a race she needed off the shelf most recently, and I expect the six-year-old to move forward second time back beneath Jareth Loveberry. 

Race 4 – Claiming 

Eight fillies and one mare will jaunt six furlongs on the dirt in the challenging middle leg of the sequence. #8 About to Set Sail (6-1) ran a lifetime best with the blinkers coming off last time when she drew off to a 10-length maiden special weight romp. This Race Day chestnut will be in range throughout as the leading selection for conditioner Sam David. 

#9 From Scratch (4-1) defeated the top pick in her latest effort and will benefit from drawing outside in the field under David Cohen. The Grant Forster pupil could also peak in her third appearance off the bench, as well. Shane Wilson’s stakes-placed #6 Viv’s Wild Aces (4-1) and Brett Brinkman’s #5 La Nina Dorada (7-2) will also be included in the heat. 

Race 5 – Maiden Special Weight

The closing leg will feature sophomore fillies running about 1 1/16 miles on the lawn with a full field signed on. #10 Aterradora (7-2) is a half-sister to a Group 2 heroine who checked in third in the 2023 Prix de l’Opera (G1), and the Mike Maker pupil has been second best in each of her two runs to date. The Starspangledbanner filly has held an edge late in both of those attempts and is the one to beat beneath Loveberry. 

Eddie Kenneally’s #8 Dancetheniteaway (12-1) rallied to be runner-up behind a dawdling early pace in her turf bow and has appeal at a number in her second grassy appearance. This Ransom the Moon filly might be moving best of all in the stretch with Ben Curtis up. #2 Straight Forward (8-1) is from a very good family of turf performers and has to be given a chance for Steve Asmussen. The American Pharoah miss will have Edgar Morales in the silks.