US Racing / Nick Shiambouros / 28 September 2007 / 2

The sun shone on a great days racing in Louisiana

It was a real pleasure to see the Louisiana Downs racecourse packed with fans and bathed with sunshine on a glorious day in the great state of Louisiana. It has been just over two years since Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans and other parts of the state and as the city continues its long rebuilding process the racing continues and what superb day it was. There was no excuse for the defeat of Grasshopper who went off a ridiculous 1/5 for the Super Derby as the pace set by Forty Acres was moderate to say the least. I hope some of you were on my win and place selection Going Ballistic who came with a storming run to beat the favourite going away. This great race has been one in recent years by champions like Sunday Silence and Tiznow but I think the winner has no chance of emulating those horses even though this was a fine effort.

Also on the card Go Between has heavily backed in The Unbridled Breeders Cup Handicap and duly obliged by coming with a well timed challenge to beat a quality field in this turf contest. I also must give a mention to the enthusiastic and very talented Jessica Pacheco who was on hand to give outstanding analysis and paddock picks before each race. She really does do a wonderful job for Louisiana Downs every year.

Up at Belmont Park in The Brooklyn Handicap Any Given Saturday who was trading at around 1.25 had to work quite hard to go by Tasteyville with second choice Sightseeing trailing in a very disappointing last of five. The winner remains on course for The Breeders Cup Classic but I am not a backer myself as I think there are at least three or four from his generation with better credentials.

Over on the west coast the final weekend of the year for Fairplex Park took place and it was great to see Doug O'Neil on hand to receive a special award for training his 1000th winner .You see sometimes nice guys do finish first!. Also in that category is the great announcer Trevor Denman who celebrated 20 years of service at this unique oval track. As a thank you for a great meeting the management gave free admission to everyone on closing day on Monday.

Turfway Park has the honour of providing us with some great action this weekend featuring the Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense in The Kentucky Cup Classic. Hard Spun takes another crack at the Derby winner on Saturday but I think Street Sense will beat him again. I think Street Sense will go off around 1.8 because of the small field and Hard Spun has more tactical speed and punters will think that this is the time to get the Derby winner beaten. This years renewal of this race reminds me of the old match races they used to have in America years ago. Only two races left for Street Sense before he is retired to take up stud duties so sit back, enjoy and savour a true champion.

A horse that is yet to prove he is a champion is in action this weekend on Sundays card in the Grade 1 Vosburgh Stakes. His name is Discreet Cat. He makes His reappearance after finishing last in The Dubai World Cup back in March. The explanation offered that day was a throat
infection but I am sorry he is not for me at any price. This is one tough race for a comeback with proven top class performers like Fabulous Strike and Mach Ride just to name two. I will be hoping to lay Discreet Cat at around 3.2 or if he is bigger I shall lay him in the place market..
Also on Sundays superb Belmont card I will be backing English Channel in The Joe Hirsch Turf Classic run over one mile and a half. Anything close to 2.0 will do for me as I think he is the best distance horse in America.
In The Jockey Club Gold Cup also on Sunday Lawyer Ron should be very difficult to beat on his way to The Breeders Cup Classic. I think he will be around 1.4 so its no bet for me.

On Saturday at Belmont the quality is just as good with Alexander Tango trying to make it two in a row in The Flower Bowl Invitational over ten furlongs. The competition will be stiff with Wait A While and Royal Highness also in attendance. This one is wide open but I think Wait A While is the one for me hopefully at around 3.5.
Santa Anita unveiled the new Cushion Track on Wednesday at The Oak Tree Meeting and the feature on Saturday is The Goodwood Handicap. I do like the look of the lightly raced Tiago win and place for this really competitive race. The brave Lava Man shows up for this along with his old foe A.P.Exellent.
Well that's it for another week but the story of the week for me was all those smiling faces at Louisiana Downs and the people from that great State that I have had the pleasure of meeting both on and off the course. Hopefully I will catch a couple of days racing in Louisiana in the not to distant future and experience some of that great southern hospitality that is always on offer whatever the circumstances.

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1. Stu Cook | 01 October 2007

   To: Nick Shiambouros,

   Really enjoy your racing analysis - do you have a subscription service, as, if you do, I would be very interested in joining.

   Regards,
   Stu Cook, Kelowna, Canada

2. Stu Cook | 01 October 2007

   To: Nick Shiambouros,

   Really enjoy your racing analysis - do you have a subscription service, as, if you do, I would be very interested in joining.

   Regards,
   Stu Cook, Kelowna, Canada

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