Fair Grounds Saturday: Epicenter, Echo Zulu Share Top Billing

Two of the rising stars will run at Fair Grounds on Saturday. Echo Zulu and Epicenter will run in the Fair Grounds Oaks and Louisiana Derby respectively.

Fair Grounds Oaks Analysis

Fair Grounds Race 11

Post: 5:12 PM CT; Purse: $400,000 Twinspires.com Fair Grounds Oaks, 1 1/16 Miles on Dirt; Entries: 6

• #1 ECHO ZULU (0.6-1) looks to be a stand out in this one. If she finds even a fraction of her previous races she will be near impossible to reign in. It feels like this is one to single and move on in horizontals.
• #5 SEQUIST (8-1) is well bred to be a player here.
• #2 TURNERLOOSE (6-1) goes out for good connections and should be near the early lead.
• #6 HIDDEN CONNECTION (5-1) should be in the right spot early to give this horse a chance to get the job done.

Selections: 1-5-2-6 (Best Bet: #1 Echo Zulu)

Louisiana Derby Analysis

Fair Grounds Race 12

Post: 5:44 PM CT; Purse: $1,000,000 Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby, 1 3/16 Miles on Dirt; Entries: 9

• #6 EPICENTER (7-5) is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including speed & form.
• #7 PIONEER OF MEDINA (5-1) seems like the kind of horse that could take a big jump up in this spot.
• #9 RATTLE N ROLL (6-1) should be prominent throughout and can maybe hold on for a piece.
• #3 CALL ME MIDNIGHT (6-1) is proven as a good bet to at least hit the board under today's distance and surface conditions.

Selections: 6-7-9-3

Saturday Undercard Analysis

Fair Grounds Race 1

Post: 12:00 PM CT; Purse: $65,000 Maiden Special Weight, 6 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 8

• #2 PATNA (6-1) is prepared by top connections for this start.
• #3 GEORGETOWN ROAD (7-2) is the only runner in the field with any experience. That could be a huge advantage in this spot
• #5 BELLE REBELLE (3-1) has solid buzz to suggest this one could be a runner.
• #1 CATCH MAGIC (8-1) is a bit interesting at a price. I like the inside draw and the connections suggest this one might get under bet.

Selections: 2-3-5-1

Fair Grounds Race 2

Post: 12:30 PM CT; Purse: $65,000 Maiden Special Weight, 1 1/16 Miles on Turf; Entries: 10

• #4 MAZUMA (3-1) has to be respected today edging the field in several key handicapping factors including stamina & breeding.
• #1 FAITH RUNNER (9-2) should be competitive today based on the horse's speed & record at the distance.
• #3 URBAN RECOVERY (8-1) should be in the right spot early to give this horse a chance to get the job done.
• #6 MIZZEN MAN (10-1) has a bit of experience that could benefit him here.

Selections: 4-1-3-6

Fair Grounds Race 3

Post: 1:00 PM CT; Purse: $75,000 Crescent City Oaks, 1 Mile 70 Yards on Dirt; Entries: 9

• #1 SERAPE (5-2) has a great shot in the race given the speed figures & stamina.
• #4 DREAMING OF NEANY (6-1) is worth a look here given edges in class thus far in the career.
• #5 WHOLELOTTAMO (3-1) has to be respected based on the connections.
• #7 MISHPACHAH (8-1) has breeding that makes this one logical to improve at a nice price.

Selections: 1-4-5-7

Fair Grounds Race 4

Post: 1:31 PM CT; Purse: $65,000 Maiden Special Weight, 1 Mile on Turf; Entries: 11

• #2 WORLD PREMIER (6-1) looks dangerous as one of two firsters in this spot. The inside post is a huge bonus.
• #11 FORGOTTEN REALM (9-2) is the other firster in this spot. The outside post is a concern worth probably 2 or 3 points on the morning line.
• #7 COCO PUFF (6-1) is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including speed & form.
• #3 AMENSET (8-1) seems like the logical dink up for a piece type. This one has license to improve off the previous efforts.

Selections: 2-11-7-3

Fair Grounds Race 5

Post: 2:02 PM CT; Purse: $75,000 Crescent City Derby, 1 1/16 Miles on Dirt; Entries: 11

• #6 MORE MEMORIES (5-1) is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including speed & power rating.
• #9 UNIFIED REPORT (4-1) merits consideration in this spot based on the company kept in recent starts
• #7 VODKA GIMLET (3-1) has been in solid form and has proven to at least be capable of hitting the board at this route distance.
• #5 COSMIC TRAIN (10-1) has to be respected based on the connections.

Selections: 6-9-7-5

Fair Grounds Race 6

Post: 2:33 PM CT; Purse: $75,000 Costa Rising S., 5 1/2 Furlongs on Turf; Entries: 15

• #2 CLASSY JOHN (9-2) is the co-second choice in a race where the morning line maker appears to have throw his hands in the air. a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including speed & pace numbers.
• #3 X CLOWN (9-2) comes into the race signaling a big performance.
• #8 A SONG FOR ARCH (8-1) is a fat price given this one has speed and class numbers that rate well with the top of this field.
• #12 YANKEE SEVEN (8-1) will have to work out a trip from the wide post, but these races can get oddly tactical for as short as they are and maybe this one benefits more from being clear of traffic than those saving ground.

Selections: 2-3-8-12

Fair Grounds Race 7

Post: 3:05 PM CT; Purse: $65,000 Maiden Special Weight, 6 Furlongs on Dirt; Entries: 14

• #1 MARSALIS (9-5) is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including speed & form.
• #7 STROBE (7-2) should be competitive based on the blood lines which fit this condition really well.
• #9 VINCO (12-1) has solid breeding and has the foundation to serve him well in this spot.
• #4 MALIBU S S (10-1) is a first time starter that I have a little interest in. If he’s live on the board I may use. Otherwise this one may fall off the ticket.

Selections: 1-7-9-4

Fair Grounds Race 8

Post: 3:37 PM CT; Purse: $100,000 Tom Benson Memorial S., 1 1/16 Miles on Turf; Entries: 9

• #5 CLARA PEETERS (10-1) merits consideration in this spot given edges in speed & form.
• #1 LAKE LUCERNE (5-1) is worth a look here given edges in class & pace numbers.
• #6 HENDY WOODS (5-2) should be competitive based on the overall power rating which has it tops in the group.
• #8 SHE CAN'T SING (6-1) could get the perfect pace scenario here.

Selections: 5-1-6-8

Fair Grounds Race 9

Post: 4:08 PM CT; Purse: $500,000 New Orleans Classic S., 1 1/8 Miles on Dirt; Entries: 6

• #3 SUPER STOCK (8-1) has the speed figures to win this race. It is dangerous to underestimate these connections around this time of year.
• #2 OLYMPIAD (8-5) is in great form and has face some really solid horses. With tough foes inside and outside here I do worry a bit about this one getting his hand forced.
• #1 PROMISE KEEPER (3-1) has been really good at this distance.
• #6 CHESS CHIEF (8-1) Will be running early. If he can get the lead maybe there’s a chance to steal this one.

Selections: 3-2-1-6

Fair Grounds Race 10

Post: 4:40 PM CT; Purse: $300,000 Muniz Memorial Classic S. Presented by Horse Racing Nation, 1 1/8 Miles on Turf; Entries: 9

• #2 SACRED LIFE (2-1) is a major player in today's race edging the field in several key handicapping factors including speed & power rating.
• #8 TWO EMMYS (15-1) is a horse I have really enjoyed following over the last year. I think this one will outrun the odds.
• #3 DEVAMANI (5-2) looks to have to have kept the best company in the previous starts.
• #7 ANOTHER MYSTERY (12-1) is proven as a good bet to at least hit the board under today's distance and surface conditions.

Selections: 2-8-3-7

Fair Grounds Race 11

Post: 5:12 PM CT; Purse: $400,000 Twinspires.com Fair Grounds Oaks, 1 1/16 Miles on Dirt; Entries: 6

• Fair Ground Oaks Analysis Provided Above

Selections: 1-5-2-6

Fair Grounds Race 12

Post: 5:44 PM CT; Purse: $1,000,000 Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby, 1 3/16 Miles on Dirt; Entries: 9

Louisiana Derby Analysis Provided Above.

Selections: 6-7-9-3

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