Pick 3 of the Week: Fair Grounds Saturday [March 1]

A total of five black-type races will highlight a fine day of racing at Fair Grounds on Saturday. The Pick 3 of the Week will be an all-stakes play starting in Race 7. 

Race 7 Wager

$1 Pick 3: 1,11 with 2,4,6 with 1,2,6,7 ($24)

Race 7 – Edward J. Johnston Memorial S. 

A big field of 11 will travel about 1 1/16 miles on the lawn to get things started. #11 Woods N Water (4-1) drew widest of all in the contest, but the Samuel Breaux trainee gets top billing, nonetheless. The six-year-old dons a nice 12-6-3-1 lifetime line on the green and captured a stakes race on this course two prior, as well. Timmy Thornton will guide the versatile son of Palace. 

#1 Calicoco (5-1) has big speed from the fence and is also 3-for-4 on the surface for conditioner Shane Wilson. The five-year-old has room to improve while making his second run since August, and having Florent Geroux in the silks is a major positive, too. 

Race 8 – Star Guitar S. 

Seven Cajun-bred runners will run two turns in the middle leg of the sequence. #4 Dapper Moon (9-5) is the obvious one to beat for conditioner Dallas Stewart and looms a menacing figure with something resembling his top performance. But I feel that this is much more than a one-horse race. 

#6 Cajun Mitole (7-2) toppled a pair of good ones in convincing style at Delta Downs most recently and could be any kind in his route debut. The Brett Brinkman pupil will be rallying from off the pace with Alex Birzer in the silks. #2 He’s Late Again (12-1) is 2-for-2 with a pair of trips that were less than ideal, and the son of Aurelius Maximus intrigues me at a big number. He will save ground early and make one run in the lane. 

Race 9 – Black Gold S. 

A good group of eight sophomores will run about 1 1/16 miles in the closing leg of the wager. #6 Chasing Liberty (2-1) is the one to beat for conditioner Rob Atras. The homebred son of Constitution is 4-for-5 in his lifetime and could also improve while making his second run of the season. This Kentucky-bred chestnut will always be in range beneath Florent Geroux. 

The value of the race could lie with #7 Without Caution (8-1). Trained by Cherie DeVaux, the Without Parole colt gets blinkers for the initial time and won’t need a major leap forward to make his presence felt in the event. Debut winner #1 Emergence (9-2) and Lecomte S. (G3) fourth #2 Golden Afternoon (3-1) are both logical contenders, as well.