Check out my Saturday (2-15-25) Fair Grounds Race 11 analysis below.
FG 11 (G3 Mineshaft, 8.5f) – Post Time 6:00 PM ET
Primary – #4 HALL OF FAME, #5 Catching Freedom
Secondary – #3 Tuscan Sky, #7 Batten Down
Horse Comments:
#4 Hall of Fame (4-1) was highly regarded last year. He romped by 10 lengths in a local MSW route (January 2024), and could not keep pace in the G2 Risen Star and G2 LA Derby. Steve Asmussen pulled the plug and he resurfaced 4+ months later at CD, and he stalked and scored as the favorite in an entry level allowance race at one mile on dirt. He returned to FG and controlled the pace and romped Jan. 5. His numbers jumped up in his last pair and he is 3-for-3 with lasix and 0-for-3 without it, and he will use lasix in this spot. Jose Ortiz got acquainted with him last time and he romped in both local starts at this distance.
#5 Catching Freedom (3-1) won the Smarty Jones and G2 LA Derby last year, and was 3rd in the G1 Preakness. He finished 4th as the beaten favorite when last seen in the G3 Ohio Derby, and this is his first start in 7+ months. He adds lasix and reunites with his winning rider Flavien Prat, and he should get pace to chase.
#3 Tuscan Sky (9-2) threw in a clunker as the beaten favorite in the G3 Harlan’s Holiday Dec. 21, and that was reminiscent of his G1 Haskell dud. He romped in the Pegasus at MTH prior to the Haskell, and after the Haskell, he dueled and finished a clear 2nd in the Discovery at AQU (show finisher Copper Tax next-out stakes winner). Irad Ortiz, Jr. takes the call and he sports five works since his last including a half-mile bullet Jan. 17.
#7 Batten Down (4-1) is a well-bred colt making his first start as a 4-year-old. He goes back on lasix and wired the field in three races last year including the G3 Ohio Derby (9f) and Bourbon Trail (9.5f). He might want more ground.
Wagers:
#4 to win
Exacta box 4-5
Trifecta 4-5/3-4-5-7/3-4-5-7
Recent Bettor Bet$ Free Pick Winners
Feb. 1 – El Potente ($5.00), Exacta ($14.80)
Feb. 3 – Bedard ($3.60)
Feb. 5 – Native Shaman/Capture the Flag/Fuerteventura Trifecta ($33.40)
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