Fair Grounds and NOLA returns to the racing landscape today, and its' widespread ADW availability on Xpressbet, TwinSpires and YouBet comes at a perfect time. With Churchill and Hollywood largely unavailable, Fair Grounds stands to be a beneficiary of horseplayers' attention. On this topic, as I wrote this morning at Derby Trail, do not miss Matt Hegarty's take on latest ADW developments...
http://www.drf.com/news/article/99904.html
If the THG (Thoroughbred Horsemen's Group) and TrackNet reach a long term accord, TVG is a chicken-in-a-pot. TrackNet must finally have gotten the green light from CDI to talk to THG after nearly a year of standoffishness by Louisville. If it comes off, the THG has proven for horsemen and owners that there was indeed strength in numbers and solidarity to be had by standing together..
Not to throw TVG under the bus, but a TrackNet-THG accord would go a long way towards solving the frequent stalemates the platforms have had the last 36 months. There is still the matter, as Hegarty touches upon, of the state statutes that inhibit equitable deal-making for the parties, but that has to be addressed seperately.
As to today, racing at the Fair Grounds is unique, much like New Orleans itself. Exceptionally long stretch runs on the main and grass course provide closers the best opportunity anywhere to make up margins. Bob Fortus of the Times-Picayune offered this FG Preview this week:
http://www.nola.com/sports/t-p/horse...920.xml&coll=1
FAIR GROUNDS
PRE-SCRATCHES
7th: OC/N2X, 3+, 1m (.50 P4, Super)
Most Likely: #2 Tend 3-1
Best Value: #7 Gowden Mile 8-1
Next Best: #3 Southern Style 8-1
Exotics Use: #10 Inner Light 4-1
8th: Blushing K. D. Handicap, F&M-3+, 8.5f-T (P3, Super)
#8 Tears I Cry is the utter definition of a key horse. Priced delightully and every bit as eligible as the top choices to win.. Favored Stormy West has run exactly ONE race in her career that is fast enough to win clear here: Use her in exotics and multis because she can win, but she could just as easily run well and be 5th..
Best Value: #8 TEARS I CRY 8-1
Next Best: #11 Tortuga Flats 6-1
Exotics Use: #5 Love to Tell 15-1
Super Add: #3 Barbette 12-1
.10 SUPER PLAY: Key 8 1st/2nd/3rd with 2-3-5-7-11 (1x5x4x3 = 60 x 3 = 180 x .10 = $18.00)
9th: Si Cima, F&M-3+, 8.5f (DD, Super)
Most Likely: #1 Lew's Grey 3-1
Best Value: #8 Go Atm 8-1
Next Best: #2 Collectzcat 9-5
Exotics Use: #7 Cutie Sabrina 12-1
10th: MSW, 3-5yo, 8.5f-T (Super)
Most Likely: #2 Holy Humor 9-2
Best Value: #10 Joe's Irish Outlaw 10-1
Next Best: #7 Sir Mott 4-1
Exotics Use: #12 Isle of Giant's 7-2
<$75 P4 Play:
7: 2-3-7
8: 8-11
9: 1-2-8
10: 2-7-10-12
3x2x3x4 = $72 (or $36 for .50)
Good luck!
Steve