Pretty nice card Saturday at Fair Grounds
 

Fair Grounds draws Saturday entries on Mondays, so the entries for the biggest card of the year are already available. Octave makes her comeback in the Fair Grounds Oaks, the expected bunch in the La. Derby, and a nice field in the Mervin Muniz.

Here they are: http://www.drf.com/entries/10/eFG10.html?rn=976597

NT

There goes any edge anyone who knew most of the probable card would have had in the TVG Fantasy contest!

Go Ketchikan!

Pulling for him as well... I'm flying into Nola on Thursday and going out to Fairgrounds on Saturday. Can't wait! :)

Originally the plan was to have High Limit start here too...wonder what Frankel is doing with him now?

Lucky girl! I expect a full report of the FL vs. LA good looking horses. :)

Cajun,

Our Tiznow boys are going head to head this weekend!

Will do! I'm really excited to visit Fairgrounds... I've never been to that track and I've heard really good things about it.

Tell me how good Slew looks as he passes them all in the stretch... :p

Have a great time! :)

Time for the 2007 Derby winner to put himself on the map. The 2 post should work just fine for him.

Gotta love Fairgrounds getting their entries available so early.

Naissace Royal taking on the boys in the Muniz (and getting Go-Go to ride).

I loved Appealing Zophie's last race, and expect her to repeat in the Oaks, although the field is somewhat tougher.

I think the field for the Louisiana Derby is very interesting, especially with BirdBird coming in.

There's 4 Grade 2 races in a row (anyone know if that's the PK 4, or if it's the final 4 races of the day)?

I'm almost certain they're guaranteeing 100,000 into a Pick 4. They've done that on the other two big cards.

All in all a nice card and you're right, we get four days to change our minds and re-think and bumble our way to post time. Yes, I am one of those junkies who prints the PPs right after entries are drawn. Study long, study wrong be damned.

NT

I too print out the PPs as early as I can. It's nice to get handicapping out of the way early in the week.
And this from the FG website.
Racing fans in New Orleans and at simulcast facilities throughout North America are reminded that Fair Grounds will offer a $200,000 guaranteed pool Pick 4 Pool on its four Grade II races on Louisiana Derby Day.

The Pick 4 will be on races 6-9, and will be anchored by the Louisiana Derby. Approximate post for the Louisiana Derby is 4:43 p.m. CST.

it will be a 200,000 pk. 4 guarantee. yes the fair grounds is nice. i can't be there cause of work. yes it will be a good card. and some good racin.
i know that they have great cajun girls down there.

Einstein is coming back already? He must be doing really well.

Birdbirdistheword
 

My Derby favorite... First, saw Bird win on Super Derby undercard in September in Harrah's Juvenile on turf. Then, saw Bird win Delta Jackpot in December on dirt. In both races, this horse demonstrated his professionalism by rating behind leader, moving forward when asked, and unleashing awesome move in turn, and down the lane to the wire.

I don't give much credence to speed ratings with 2YOs and developing 3YOs. Nobiz proved that point this past weekend. If Derby contender is not mature enough to exhibit his professionalism, he will not win. Last year, both Brother Derek and Lawyer Ron looked like world beaters in short and/or overmatched fields. But, when presented with more capable, professional competition did not fare as well.

I am going to see Birdbirdistheword for third time in my home state and at third different track. At Fair Grounds, I recommend the gumbo and corned beef sandwich -- definitely some good eats. Have a great day at the races!

I plan on going to the Fair Grounds. I went for the Risen Wreck of a race. not good. But it was the first time I had been back since that b***h Katrina came through, except right after with the boat. They have done alot of work and belive me the barns needed some work. It should be a very nice day. And forget about eating anything but the crawfish!!! Its that time of year and I am so excited.hehe I am most excited to see Circular Quay run a clean trouble free race. I really like him.

he should be tough in this spot. i like the fact albarado has the mount.

While i like einstein, this year he is not having the best of luck, to put it mildly. He had a rough trip in his first out, then he drew the 10 post last out and was parked wide the entire race, to lose by a length. Now he draws the 11 post and loses Bejarano . Another tough go expected. :(

If you like circular quay, Saturday is your best chance to get a good price on him.
Despite being the 9-5 morning line favorite, I don't see him going off any lower than 2-1 and perhaps even 5-2.
Local favorite Ketchikan figures to be pretty well supported, and you know Zanjero, BirdBird and Liquidity will all take money too.
Then you have Pletcher/Prado on Soaring By.

If CQ does go off at 9-5 or worse, blame it on how freaking hot Pletcher/JV were in last weeks big races.