Stakes Selections at Fair Grounds for December 31

A pair of black-type races for two-year-olds bred in Louisiana will highlight the Sunday card at Fair Grounds.

Race 4 – Louisiana Futurity (Colts and Geldings)

The six-furlong dash attracted seven Cajun-bred runners. #5 Carpis (5-2) will not be 34-1 odds at post time like he was in his debut offering, but the Sam David pupil looks worth a bet despite the smaller price while making his stakes debut, nonetheless. The chestnut son of Star Guitar was fleet out of the gate and never looked back in his 2 1/4-length romp, and he came back with a useful five-furlong work in the interim on the surface. Erica Murray retains the ride. 

#6 Take Charge J J (9-2) finally broke through in a fourth lifetime run most recently for conditioner Bret Calhoun, and I expect the son of Take Charge Indy to complete the exacta in this run. The February foal has proven to be capable of passing runners in the lane, and he will have some tired legs to run at inside the final furlong with Reylu Gutierrez in the stirrups once again. 

Race 10 – Louisiana Futurity (Fillies)

A total of 10 fillies will jaunt six panels on the dirt in the finale. I’m willing to give #7 Diamond Deal (10-1) a pass for a subpar showing on a ‘good’ surface here in her local debut last time out. The dark bay daughter of El Deal had been runner-up in a pair of consecutive black-type affairs prior to that showing, and the Louisiana-bred filly could peak while making her third run off the layoff. Jamie Torres will be in the silks and have the dark bay forwardly placed from the opening bell. 

#6 Clearly A Test (4-1) has shown marked improvement from two starts since dropping in with state-bred company for trainer Shane Wilson. The bay daughter of Clearly Now is a stakes heroine on the course and will move up in her third run off the shelf, as well. The stalker will be a danger inside the final furlong with Jose Guerrero in the silks.