Top 5 stakes performances of the decade at Fair Grounds

No. 5: Take Charge Lady (2002 Silverbulletday): Take Charge Lady dominated the Silverbulletday in an eight-length win. She would return to Fair Grounds to take the Oaks by five lengths; among her victims in the FG Oaks was Lotta Kim, dam of Rachel Alexandra.
What is notable about her two Fair Grounds victories was how fast Take Charge Lady ran. Her stablemate Repent won the Risen Star one day after the Silverbulletday, and the Louisiana Derby one day after the Fair Grounds Oaks. Take Charge Lady’s time in the Silverbulletday was faster than Repent’s time in the Risen Star, and her time in the Oaks was faster than his time in the Derby. Take Charge Lady received a 109 Beyer Speed Figure for the Silverbulletday; that is the highest Beyer received in a Fair Grounds route stakes restricted to 3yos. It is worth mentioning that she received a 107 Beyer for her Fair Grounds Oaks win.

No. 4: Mineshaft (2003 New Orleans Handicap): Early in his campaign for Horse of the Year, Mineshaft was victorious over a field that included Grade 1 winners Balto Star, Bonapaw, and Booklet.

No. 3: Peace Rules (2004 New Orleans Handicap): Peace Rules twice defeated Funny Cide at Fair Grounds. The first was in the Louisiana Derby. The second was in the New Orleans Handicap, when he also beat 2005 Horse of the Year St. Liam and 2003 Travers winner Ten Most Wanted.

No. 2: Einstein (2007 Muniz Handicap): Einstein took the scenic route to win Fair Grounds’ major grass race. After being wide around the first turn, Einstein was steered out to the middle of the course late down the backstretch to avoid a pulled up horse. Despite losing significant ground, Einstein somehow managed to remain in contention and go on to defeat Cloudy’s Night.

No. 1: Concerned Minister (2000 Tenacious Handicap): Concerned Minister equaled the track record with his daylight win in the Tenacious. His Beyer Speed Figure of 121 for that race is tied for the highest Beyer earned by a 3yo at any distance since 1996.

Honorable mention: Badge of Silver (2003 Risen Star), Diamond Tycoon (2009 Fair Grounds Handicap), Mighty (2000 Louisiana Derby), Mystery Giver (2004 Fair Grounds Handicap), , Proud Spell (2008 Fair Grounds Oaks), Rachel Alexandra (2009 Fair Grounds Oaks), and Sarafan (2002 Explosive Bid).

Inaugural Stakes selection Gesu scores at 22-1!

Those of you who don't follow racing at Tampa are missing out on some great betting opportunities.

Stakes Selections for Saturday, December 26

Diliberto Hcp. (9th at FG): Get Rich Quick.

Sandpiper (6th at Tampa): Red Orchestra.

Inaugural (10th at Tampa): Gesu.

Kenny Noe (9th at Calder): Prince Joshua.

Stage Door Betty (11th at Calder): Miss Singhsix.

Fair Grounds Selections for Sunday, December 20

6th Race: Brendyn Jo.

8th Race: Terryhowieandjimmy.

Tenacious Hcp: King Dan.

10th Race: Fundy. Flying Pegasus makes his first start in six months. He came off the shelf to run an excellent second in last year's Risen Star, but this time he is returning from an injury. He figures to be a heavy favorite, so I will try to beat him with Fundy.

Fair Grounds stakes selections for Saturday, December 19

Sugar Bowl: Big Texas Daddy.

Bonapaw: Due Date.

Champions Day Ladies Sprint: Master Link.

Esplanade: Simplify.

Champions Day Turf: Lee's Spirit.

Letellier: Sheer Beauty.

Champions Day Sprint: Mr. Porter.

Selections for Louisiana Champions Day

5th (Starter Hcp): Foxwood Runner.

7th (Champions Day Juvenile): Mr. Wildlee.

8th (Champions Day Lassie): Shezacrazygirl.

9th (Champions Day Turf): Desert Wheat.

10th (Champions Day Ladies Sprint: Seven Seventythree.

12th (Champions Day Sprint): Mr. Porter.

Sounds like a disposable name for a stakes race

Fair Grounds has finally announced the name of the $200,000 dirt route stakes for older fillies and mares that was added to the stakes schedule this year. The stakes will be named the New Orleans Distaff. The Chou Croute Stakes, which was for this division but for a lesser purse, was dropped from the stakes schedule. The New Orleans Distaff is an okay name. At least the race will be easily identified with Fair Grounds. Racing fans in the New Orleans area are hopeful that Rachel Alexandra will appear in its inaugural running. Should that happen, it is odds-on that the race will be named the Rachel Alexandra Stakes for its future editions.