Jack Hammer’s
Ron the Greek, winner of Fair Grounds’
Grade III Lecomte Stakes Jan. 23 as the first leg of the local sophomore
series, worked six furlongs in 1:13.40 Sunday morning in preparation for the
Grade
II Louisiana Derby
March 27.
“It
was a very good work for him,” said trainer Tom Amoss on Monday. “He
went in company and spotted the other horse eight or 10 lengths at the start
and when called upon he finished up down the lane very well and did it with
authority.”
Asked
about Gold Mark Farm’s Backtalk, his other high profile 3-year-old who
won Delta Downs’ $75,000 Sportsman’s Paradise
on Feb. 26 in his only start this year, Amoss said, “Backtalk will work
Wednesday and a decision on his Louisiana Derby status will be made after that
work.”
On
Saturday, Sam-Son Farms’ Hotep breezed three-quarters in 1:15 flat in
preparation for the $750,000 Louisiana Derby. Hotep is a full brother to Eye
of the Leopard – winner of the 2009 Grade I Queen’s Plate, who was
subsequently named Canada’s
Horse of the Year last year.
“(Hotep)
looked good in his work Saturday,” said trainer Mark Frostad Monday
morning. “Now we’ll give him one more work next week and if he does good in
that one, we’re going to go in the Louisiana Derby.”
Giant
Oak Works Sunday for New Orleans
Handicap
Virginia
Tarra’s Giant Oak, third in Fair Grounds’ Grade III Mineshaft Handicap
Feb. 20 in his only start this year, worked six furlongs in 1:13.40 Sunday in
advance of the upcoming Grade II New Orleans
Handicap March 27.
“(Giant
Oak) did everything just right,” said trainer Neil Pessin Monday morning
during training hours. “He came out of it very strong and we are sitting on the
(New Orleans)
Handicap.”
Giant
Oak’s full sister, Virginia Tarra’s Apple Martini, breezed a half in
49.60 Saturday morning in preparation for Fair Grounds’ $100,000 Bayou Handicap
March 26.
Star
Guitar Breezes Sunday – Next Start Now Uncertain
Brittlyn
Stables’ Star Guitar breezed five furlongs Sunday in 1:03.80 and is
nominated to Saturday’s inaugural running of the $60,000 Costa Rising Stakes
as well as the Grade II New Orleans Handicap one week later.
“The
horse is fine and the work was fine,” said trainer Al Stall Jr. on
Monday morning. “Whatever direction we point him in now, he’s good to go.”
2010
Don MacBeth Memorial Fundraiser on Tuesday
Fair
Grounds fans and local horsemen are reminded that the 2010 Don MacBeth
Memorial Jockey Fundraiser – with all proceeds going to benefit injured and
disabled jockeys and exercise riders – will be held Tuesday from 6 p.m. to
10:30 p.m. at the Best Western Landmark Hotel in Metairie.
There
will be a cash bar beginning at 6 p.m., a buffet dinner at 6:30 p.m., a live
and silent auction, door prizes, a 50-50 raffle and a dance contest, with music
by Harvey Jesus and Fire.
Tickets
are $25 per person with reserved tables of 10 available at $250.
For
tickets contact Rick Mocklin at (504) 382-9787, the Louisiana H.B.P.A.
Backstretch Office or any Fair Grounds jockey.