Photo: CDI
Jim Tafel’s Fast Alex did not make it to the races
as a 2-year-old, but as a 3-year-old he is fast becoming a rising star.
Ridden by Curt Bourque and trained by Greg Geier,
Fast Alex was unhurried early but closed with a bold late rush to capture
Monday’s $41,000 allowance optional claiming race for 3-year-olds at a mile and
40 yards by a length and a half.
Owned by the same man who won the 2007 Kentucky Derby and
Travers with Street Sense, Fast Alex might now have Tafel dreaming of his second
blanket of roses in the last four years, but more immediately Fast Alex has
suddenly jumped into the probable field for the Grade II Louisiana Derby
March 27.
Fast Alex, a half-brother to 2008 Louisiana Derby
contestant Unbridled Vicar, returned mutuels of $6.40, $3.60 and $2.80,
accomplished the mile and 40 yards in 1:41.46 and increased his career earnings
to $52,730 with his second win in three lifetime starts.
Stonestreet Stables’ Island Soul, the 14-10 favorite
in Monday’s event, took command in upper stretch, could not withstand the
winner but was clearly second best by a length and a half over Strategy Racing
Stable’s Awesome Encore, who set early splits of 25.04 and 49.11 before
weakening to the third spot.
Island
Soul paid $2.80 and $2.40 and Awesome Encore returned $8.20 to show.
Racing
resumes Friday at Fair Grounds with a nine-race program beginning at 1:10 p.m.
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