I don't envy you the choice, RQ. There simply aren't any really good ones this Saturday. I agree that the Louisiana Champions Day at the Fair Grounds is probably the best available, after all, every horse is a state bred somewhere.
Your suggestion of limiting the points contest to races 1-12 makes good sense.
By the way, I noticed a runner named Fort Polk in race 9. Seeing that name could bring back dark memories to anyone who was of draftable age in the late 60's.