Check out my Saturday (3-22-25) Fair Grounds Race Course Race 9-10 analysis below.
FG 9 (G2 New Orleans Classic, 9f) – Post Time 5:04 PM ET
Primary – #7 SIERRA LEONE
Secondary – #2 Hall of Fame, #3 San Siro
Wagers: Exacta 7-2, Trifecta key 7/2-3
Daily Double (races 9-10): 7-5
Daily Double (races 9-10): 7/5-6-7-8
Daily Double (races 9-10): 2-3-7/5
Comments: #7 Sierra Leone (7-5) is far and away the class of the field and it looks like the closer should get pace to chase. He is not fully cranked in his first start of the year but will probably win anyway. He was part of the trifecta in all nine starts and won as my top choice last year in the G2 Risen Star, G1 Blue Grass, and G1 BC Classic. Chad Brown is strong with his first lasix starters and I am looking for him to go last-to-first at low odds. #2 Hall of Fame (4-1) tallied as my top choice in the G3 Mineshaft Feb. 15. That was his third straight win and I like his early-pressing versatility. #3 San Siro (15-1) packs a decent late kick for Walsh. He exits a sharp victory by 4+ lengths in a local optional-claiming route and the runner-up was a next-out winner. He might be able to run on for a share at a price.
FG 10 (G2 Muniz Classic, 9T) – Post Time 5:36 PM ET
Primary – #5 REDISTRICTING, #6 Spirit of St. Louis
Secondary – #7 Rebel Red, #8 Brilliant Berti
Wagers: #5 to win, Exacta box 5-6, Trifecta key 5/6-7-8
Comments: #5 Redistricting (9-2) is a lightly raced gelding with upside for the productive Prat/Brown team. He went 2-for-4 last year but disappointed in a pair of G1’s (Belmont Derby, Hollywood Derby). He returned from a long layoff and missed by a neck in the Knickerbocker (G3) at 9T Oct. 13 (first start in 10+ months). He is 2-for-2 at this distance and a stalking trip is expected. #6 Spirit of St. Louis (3-1) is a talented, consistent NY-bred for Chad Brown. He is 10-for-14 with three runner-up finishes, and he stepped out of the NY-bred stakes ranks and captured the G1 Pegasus Turf at this distance by a neck at 7-1 odds Jan. 25. Gaffalione rides back and he could easily score again. #7 Rebel Red (4-1) won three of his last five starts last year. He ended 2024 with a show finish in the Red Smith (G2), and this is his first start since November. He still has upside for the productive Ortiz/DeVaux team. #8 Brilliant Berti (5-1) won three straight turf routes last year including the listed American Derby. He rallied for the place as the beaten favorite behind Trikari in the Secretariat (G2), and he bounced back with a stakes win as the chalk in the Gun Runner at Kentucky Downs Sept. 8. He ended his 2024 season with a late running neck victory in the Bryan Station (G3) at Keeneland. Brian Hernandez Jr. stays put and he has booted this one home four times.
Recent Bettor Bet$ Free Pick Winners
March 3 – Managing Mischief ($4.20), Exacta ($7.20), Trifecta ($19.00)
March 7 – Check’s on the Way ($6.20), Exacta ($12.00), Trifecta ($30.00)
March 8 – Nitrogen ($5.00)
March 10 – Mega Charlie/Speightster Red Exacta ($84.80)
March 12 – Vincey Girl ($12.80)
March 13 – Bakers Street ($11.40), Trifecta ($192.60)
March 17 – Big Mama Sue ($4.40), Double ($34.50)
March 19 – Kalil ($8.40)
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