December 12, 2024
NEW ORLEANS — By Ed DeRosa
Louisiana Champions Day on Saturday at Fair Grounds features seven stakes for the bayou breds, and from a wagering perspective they saved the best for last.
The stakes portion of the ten-race card begins with race 3: the Louisiana Champions Day Classic Stakes. We will lay off this one from a wagering standpoint, but it is worth watching for state-bred superstar Touchuponastar looking for career win number 13 (albeit at 1-to-5).
Wagering wise, the excitement reaches a fevered pitch with the late double–races 9 and 10–as they feature 12- and 13-horse fields, respectively.
Race 9 is the Louisiana Champions Day Ladies Turf, and #10 Boomin’ Belle is the 5-to-2 morning line favorite. I would be happy with this price and think we might get it as the outside post could scare some people away, and there are some big horsemen names in here who could attract money too.
But Boomin’ Belle has shown a lot of talent against open company, including the ability to be fast early and late. There is plenty of speed in this race for a turf heat, so if jockey Jareth Loveberry is able to be reserved early, she could be the one to get the jump on the closers and kick on late to victory.
Race 10 is the Louisiana Champions Day Sprint, and why not stick with Loveberry but on a bigger price? #8 Not On Herb is 3-for-6 at Fair Grounds but comes in to this on a three-race losing streak–hence the 10-to-1 morning line.
There are excuses in those races. Three back was in the slop, two back was around two turns, and that last race was shuffled back wide. This horse is capable of better than his recent efforts, and if trainer David Terre has it figured out for this then he can win at a nice price.
I would look to play a double wager in race 9 hooking the two Loveberry horses up: 10 with 8. If we miss with #10 Boomin’ Belle in race 9 then can come right back in race 10 with a win bet on #8 Not On Herb.