Fair Grounds Picks: All-Stakes LP4 January 22, Lecomte S. Day

The Fair Grounds in New Orleans has an exciting 14-race Saturday card for your enjoyment. Today, we will be honed in on the Late Pick 4, which is an All-Stakes lineup, anchored by the Lecomte Stakes. This Grade 3 race is a KY148 Points contests, and that means 10-4-2-1 are up for grabs for the Top 4! Enjoy ...

At Horseracing.net/us we have you covered, including all of the action related to another excellent Louisiana Series @FG! It is a good time for some of the best that North American racing has to offer. Stay tuned! 

If you're looking for picks elsewhere around the country this Saturday be sure to check out our free Horse Racing Picks via the gold button below.

---------------------------------------------

ALL-STAKES PICK 4…

LEG 1: (Race 11: Dirt, 1 Mile 70 yds., Silverbulletday S., $150k, 3F)

We are going to start this Saturday party down in New Orleans with this “Non-G.” The 1st Leg of a sequence like this can be massively important … we have a Goldilocks mentality … not too many picks, but “Singling” will not be easy either. Just right ... With such an evenly-matched contest, I am willing to go a little deeper than a "Single." My top selection is Al Stall’s Fannie and Freedie #1. This daughter of Malibu Moon has some real attributes; namely, 3rd in the form cycle. Her speed figs look progressive, and with Colby Hernandez aboard (3rd time), it is hard to see a way around her, if she continues to elevate. One other that I think has potential is Steve Asmussen’s La Crete #5. I realize she might be better on the turf based on her pedigree, but this Stonestreet homebred was excellent in breaking her maiden on debut back at Churchill in November. Don’t forget … that was a 2-turn race, which is hard to find when it comes to a 1st out runner. To flash that much speed early on in something that you have never done before, speaks volumes. The time off could be a blessing because now she is ready to start her 3-yr-old campaign. Asmussen tabs Joel Rosario to ride once again, and he knows how to handle young, inexperienced racers. I think those 2 should help get us through to the next stage … they’re off!

Selections: 1/5 (2-Deep)

LEG 2: (Race 12: Turf, 1 1/16th, Colonel E.R. Bradley S., $100k, 4+)

Heading over to the Stall-Wilson Turf Course, it is time to get going on the grass. This turf route has an impressive group of 12 that have drawn in. I think this might be the toughest race in the sequence, and that will necessitate us going as deep as possible. Thumbing through the M/Ls, you will notice that easily the classiest of this bunch of older males is Hugh Robertson’s Two Emmys #6. The son of the now deceased English Channel has the distinction of being the final winner of what used to be known as the “Arlington Million.” Scoring in the Grade 1 Mr. D Stakes shocked everyone, especially that he outlasted Chad Brown’s Domestic Spending. The gelding then came back at Keeneland in the Sycamore (G3), and nearly won there too. Regular rider James Graham gets the call, and if his mount is “live,” then he could be difficult to catch. He does all of his running on the frontend, so the rest of these better make sure he doesn’t get loose on the engine. Let’s include him, but just in case that doesn’t go to plan, I particularly like the look of Joe Sharp’s Logical Myth #1 because he is the antithesis of the presumptive favorite. This gelding by Data Link likes to do his work from off-the-pace, and I think he has had few chances to exhibit his ability. He has faced rating issues, and traffic troubles, which tells me that his riders have had trouble getting him to settle. Sharp’s entry has some back class, and I like the choice of having Adam Beschizza get another leg up. With the “Blinks Off,” maybe that means he is focused and ready to go. I want to also include a few others on this ticket, since we have some long odds runners that have a chance. Don’t forget about Halo Again #2, Cavalry Charge #3, Major Fed #5, Excess Magic #8, and Forty Under #12. That should get us through …

Selections: 1/2/3/5/6/8/12 (7-Deep)

LEG 3: (Race 13: Dirt, 1 1/16th, Louisiana S. (G3), $150k, 4+)

I don’t know about you, but all this talk about Mandaloun #2 and Midnight Bourbon #3 not being ready to fire … I am not buying it. You could take the popular Chess Chief #1 or the well-coached Warrant #6. However, this is simply a match race between the 2 Derby Trail and Triple Crown foes (faced each other 5x in ’21). They are conditioned by the best-of-the-best … Brad Cox and Steve Asmussen. Last year, Cox had his charge right on the heels of Essential Quality (stablemate), and Juddmonte had to be pleased with their homebred. Honestly, he did as well as any Louisiana Series participant has in the KYD (except of course for his LA Derby performance, 6th). I think this 4-yr-old by Into Mischief is ready to go, and should be strong with Florent Geroux once again, back in the irons. As for Asmussen’s venerable colt, the only time he bested his rival was on this weekend, in the Lecomte S. (G3). I thought he had an excellent year, and that is attributed to the excellent handling by the Asmussen Barn. Winchell has much to be proud of when it comes to this runner that ended up with earnings in excess of $1.1 million. With Joel Rosario up against his fellow competitor Geroux, it should be another great chapter in this modern day street fight! Let’s include them both, and move on!

Selections: 2/3 (2-Deep)

LEG 4: (Race 14: Dirt, 1 1/16th, Lecomte S. (G3), $200k, 3)

The finale on this Saturday is the 1st Leg of what is knowns as the “Louisiana Series.” These young colts that just turned 3-yrs-old are ready to roll … after those KYD148 Points. There are several directions that you can head in. Some will back Mark Casse’s Pappacap #3 because he has a strong list of prior starts. Others might care to support Al Stall’s Trafalgar #4, after this router won nicely in a OC50k race on the Main Track at the Fair Grounds last time. I am non-plussed by these entries, and instead, I have a strong opinion … in fact, it is so strong that this is a “Single” for me. Steve Asmussen has a pair entered in the Lecomte S., a race he won last year with Midnight Bourbon. But I think Epicenter #5 is the play here. Winchell-owned (just like Midnight B.), he was stellar last time in the Gun Runner S. 100k. He won by a whopping 6+ lengths, and can triumph again. Asmussen makes the switch to Joel Rosario, who does well when it comes to hustling his ride out/near the lead. With a couple of sound works under his saddle, this colt by Not This Time should be the favorite come post time. At 8/5 or so, I will be making a sizable bet on him to “win.” That’s why this one is a “Single,” and should give his HOF trainer yet another “graded” victory!

Selections: 5 (Single)

-------------------------------------------------------

.50 P4 TICKET COST: $14.00

Enjoy Lecomte Stakes Day from down in New Orleans! The tradition at the Fair Grounds continues!