Written by Graham Ross (Fair Grounds)
| Thursday, 19 November 2009 16:31
Horse Racing News
NEW ORLEANS – Daniel Lynch and Merrill Scherer’s Hunt for Candie, clearly best when breaking her maiden for $45,000 locally Nov. 8, is coupled with that same partnership’s Oh Whata Holiday, who broke her maiden in her first and only start last Aug. 26 at Presque Isle Downs, and that Merrill Scherer-trained pair has been installed as the 5-2 morning line favored entry in Saturday’s $47,000 featured allowance race at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.
The six furlong sprint, restricted to 2-year-old accredited Louisiana-bred fillies, serves as a local prep for the upcoming $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Lassie which will be contested at that same three quarter-mile distance on Dec. 12.
Hunt for Candie, a daughter of Northern Afleet, was allowed to settle early in her local bow, took command after being set down for the drive and drew off to tally by two lengths at the wire. Jockey Curt Bourque returns in the irons.
Oh Whata Holiday, by Harlan’s Holiday out of a Gilded Time mare, was far back early in last summer’s western Pennsylvania career debut, raced wide throughout but then closed with a bold late rush to be best by a neck. Corey Lanerie has been named to handle the reins.
Steve and Patricia Roe’s Envoy’s Running, who vied for the lead throughout in her start Sept. 17 over muddy going at Louisiana Downs before drawing off for a 2 1/4-length score, is the 3-1 second choice in the morning line. E. J. Perrodin is slated for the saddle.
From the rail out, with respective jockeys, the field consists of Dove Shot, Carlos Gonzalez; Hunt for Candie, Curt Bourque; Isn’t She Gorgeous, Shane Sellers; Lunar Fest, Brian Hernandez Jr.; Aunt Kat Kat, Eddie Martin Jr.; Miss South Beach, John Jacinto; Sheza Sexy A.P., Jamie Theriot; Oh Whata Holiday, Corey Lanerie; and Envoy’s Running, E. J. Perrodin.
Like the favored entry, Isn’t She Gorgeous and Lunar Fest are coupled in the wagering.
This weekend marks the end of three-day racing weeks for the 138th Thoroughbred Racing Season Presented by Miller Lite, with the exception of a shortened week following the Christmas holiday. The traditional Thanksgiving Day program on Nov. 26 kicks off a four-day racing week. Beginning Dec. 3 Fair Grounds moves to a five-day-per week live racing schedule, Thursdays to Mondays.
Weights Released for Fair Grounds Traditional Thanksgiving Handicap
Triple AAA Ranch’s Ez Dreamer, beaten less than a length when third in Keeneland’s Grade III Phoenix Stakes last time, has been assigned the top impost of 123 pounds in Fair Grounds’ 84th running of the Thanksgiving Handicap next Thursday, but remains only a possibility as a starter at this time.
However, James and Marilyn Helzer’s Euroears, next in the weights at 121 pounds, is an expected participant and is scheduled to be ridden by Jamie Theriot. The 5-year-old son of Langfuhr won four straight races at Fair Grounds two seasons ago, including the $100,000 F. W. Gaudin Memorial on the main track in January, the $100,000 Colonel Power over the Stall-Wilson turf course in February and the $100,000 Duncan Kenner Stakes back on the main track in March.
Savorthetimes Stables and Philip and Brenda Robertson’s Sok Sok, assigned 118 pounds, is a likely Thanksgiving Handicap participant with Brian Hernandez Jr. up after winning last year’s renewal and also annexing last season’s Duncan Kenner.
Others likely for Fair Grounds holiday fixture are Hunter Run Stable’s Tempo Five, 116, with James Graham aboard; Adele Dilschneider and Claiborne Farm’s Tend, 115 and Curt Bourque; as well as Zayat Stables’ Premium Wine, 114, with Shane Sellers slated for the saddle.
About Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots
Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, the nation’s third-oldest Thoroughbred racing facility, has been in operation since 1872. Located in New Orleans, Fair Grounds is owned by Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ Global Select Market: CHDN); it also operates a slot-machine gaming facility and nine off-track betting parlors throughout southeast Louisiana. Fair Grounds’ 138th Thoroughbred season will run from Nov. 6, 2009, through March 28, 2010, highlighted by the Grade II Louisiana Derby on March 27. Information about Fair Grounds can be found online at www.fairgroundsracecourse.com.
