Pick-5 Preview: Fair Grounds $283,472 Carryover – March 15, 2013

photo: Matt Carter

No one has hit the pick-5 at Fair Grounds yet as the jackpot carryover has now reached just over $283,000.  Night racing Friday and what better way to spend the evening than handicapping horses.

The pick-5 starts in race six, post time 8:33 ET, with state-bred maiden special weight runners going six furlongs on the main track.  Tallahatchie Luke is the morning line favorite making his first start since November and must contend with Feedemtothelion, who makes his third career start and has more tactical speed than the favorite.  King Bandit,  Who Dat Geaux also come off a layoff with Articles of War an intriguing first-time-starter for trainer Patricia West.

Race seven looks to be all about Jackson’s Rhythm and Warrior’s Hit, both running for new connections off similar layoffs.  Sixoeight and Quiet Title look like the main dangers.

In Kelly’s Defense looks like a single in race eight making her second career start after a smashing second place finish in her debut for trainer Mike Stidham.  The First Defence filly was six lengths behind the winner, but was nearly that same margin clear of the third place finisher.  Midnight Rider will make the favorite work during the early stages and is drawn to her outside.

The ninth race is a little tricky with eight Louisiana-bred claimers going a route of ground and six of those between 3-1 and 8-1 on the morning line.  Use as many as you can afford with preference given to The Louisiana Kid, Easy Strike and One King’s Man.

Not much easier in the final where these low level state-bred maiden claimers can produce crazy prices.  Outright Venture is the 2-1 morning line favorite, but has failed at the level four times.  Hussle for Russell makes a big drop in class from state-bred maiden special weight and is a nice 5-1 on the morning line.  He too failed at this class level once, but that was routing and sprinting looks to be his game.  Soup R Lion, Mr. Andrew, Monetary Union and Mister Chestnut could all spring the upset.

Looks like the Black Gold could carry once again to the Saturday card, but it’s definitely playable and should come back with a healthy return.  First post on Friday in the bayou is 6:00 ET.