RISEN STAR KICKS OFF DERBY TRAIL

Welcome back to Paulie Picks! 

Fair Grounds is the place to be today, with the Risen Star for three-year olds split into two divisions, the Rachel Alexandra for 3 yr. old fillies taking place and a very challenging Grade III in Race 10 for four year olds and up. 

Let's take a look at who Paulie picks in these four. There is a late Pick 4 available here, beginning in Race 10,  so we'll try to hit it, as we shake off the dust on our handicapping skills and look at the racing in New Orleans today. 


RACE 10 -- FAIRGROUNDS STAKES -- GRADE III -- (TURF) -- 1-1/8TH MILES

2 - SYNCHRONY
5 - DONTBLAMEROCKET
9 - CAPTIVATING
12 -MIDNIGHT TEA TIME

(Note:  these are my top four picks, but it is a race I might go deeper in for the Pick 4. I'm also considering #4 - Factor This, #10 Space Mountain and #1 Wound Tight. The key here is to advance out of the first race, right? There are a couple of races upcoming where I feel we can "shorten up" the ticket.)  

RACE 11 -- RACHEL ALEXANDRA -- GRADE II --  (DIRT) -- 1-1/16TH MILES

6 - BRITISH IDIOM
7 - FINITE
5 - TEMPERS RISING 
3 - SWISS SKYDIVER

(Note: I will probably shorten the ticket here and go with my top three picks. #6 will get the money, #7 won the Silverbulletday and #5 was flying at the end from far back). 

RACE 12 -- RISEN STAR -- GRADE II -- (DIRT) -- 1-1/8TH MILES

9 - MR MONOMOY
8 - ENFORCEABLE
2 -- SILVER STATE
11 - SCABBARD

(Note: I like these four, they ran 1,2,3 in the Lecomte at Fairgrounds and Mr. Monomoy may have been the best horse in the Lecomte, He finished third due to traffic trouble on the turn for home but still gained the lead and led until the final jumps. Enforceable won and looked good doing it. Silver State closed on the outside to nip Mr. Monomoy for place. Scabbard ran evenly for fourth. I'm not seeing any invaders coming in and knocking off any of these.)

RACE 13 -- RISEN STAR -- GRADE II -- (DIRT) -- 1-1/8TH MILES

8 - ANNEAU D 'OR
5 - LIAM'S LUCKY CHARM
1 - MODERNIST
12 - NY TRAFFIC

(Note: Anneau D 'Or barely missed in the Breeders Cup and in the Los Al Grade II Futurity. Here's an West Coast invader who makes sense here.  Liam's Lucky Charm has developed a "bounce" pattern, winning 3 of his 5 races. He won last out at Tampa Bay, so, will he bounce here? I'll include him anyway. Modernist likes the tail, likes to run on the lead and play "come catch me". He has the rail but hasn't faced this level of competition yet. NY Traffic destroyed the field at Gulfstream last time out. He moves up in class but must be considered.) 

Good luck today, play 'em anyway you want and don't spend the mortgage money on mudders. 

--paulie-- 
1 -




5