Pick 3 Play at Fair Grounds for Saturday, Dec. 10

The Saturday action at Fair Grounds is led by eight stakes events that help comprise Louisiana Champions Day. I will be diving in early on the card with an all-juvenile Pick 3 wager.

Race 2 is a maiden special weight tilt for Cajun-bred boys with a total of 10 horses in the fold. While the Sam David-trained entry of #1 Slick and Fast (9-2) and Parker Now (9-2) is my top selection, this opening leg is too wide open for me to stand pat with a single. I wouldn’t be shocked by any contender in the field and will start my sequence using the "all" button, thus turning my play into essentially a Daily Double.

The Juvenile S. is Race 3 and is very competitive on paper. #6 Not On Herb (7-2) is my leading selection for conditioner Ron Faucheux off the strength of two sharp tallies to begin his career. The First Samurai colt has ample early foot but doesn’t need the lead in order to succeed, and I expect the dark bay colt to be perfectly placed as the field reaches the top of the lane.

Recent maiden victor #5 Tumbarumba (5-2) will also be included. The Brian Lynch pupil posted a game tally versus open foes beneath the Twin Spires most recently, and he will be difficult to handle with even minor improvement in his second start with blinkers on. Florent Geroux will guide the nice prospect.

To close out the wager in the Lassie S., I will use each of the two morning-line choices. Recent stakes queen #4 Free Drop Maddy (8-5) ran to her $200,000 price tag when dominating stakes foes in her local debut for Bret Calhoun. The March foal looms large with anything resembling that latest showing.

Debut vixen #2 Norah G (3-1) broke last in her initial offering but more than made up for it when driving home a clear winner on the surface for Patricia West. By smart juvenile sire Fast Anna, the gray filly appears to have a nice future going forward. Deshawn Parker will be back in the irons.

Pick 3 Wager

• $1 Pick 3: all with 5,6 with 4,5 ($36)