Fair Grounds: How to bet the early Pick 3 on Dec. 27

Are you ready for another enjoyable afternoon of racing at Fair Grounds? The Sunday card kicks off with an enticing Pick 3 well worth pursuing.

A pair of competitive maiden special weights will follow a low-level claimer to comprise the sequence. Let’s aim to start the day on a winning note with a $30 ticket.

Race 1: $5,000 claiming (1 mile, 2:00 p.m. ET)

Many of the fillies and mares in this large field have been beaten by double-digit margins in recent starts. A notable exception is #6 Juanandora (3-1), who has cracked the trifecta in each of her last four runs.

Conditioned by high-percentage trainer Ron Faucheux, Juanandora has tactical speed, which she put to good use in a race over this class level and distance on Dec. 6. Making her first start off a 5 1/2-month layoff, Juanandora tracked the pace before battling gamely to finish second with a competitive 66 Brisnet Speed rating.

Faucheux wins at a lofty 26% rate with horses running back for the second time off a layoff, so we’ll single Juanandora to kick off the Pick 3.

Race 2: Maiden special weight (1 mile on turf, 2:29 p.m. ET)

The first-time starters in this maiden special weight for Louisiana-breds don’t appear particularly formidable, so we’ll focus our attention on the best of the experienced runners. #2B A Star Is Born Now (7-2), for example, finished second in his debut running long on dirt and is a son of Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf winner Nownownow, so the switch to grass shouldn’t be an issue.

#5 Highland Creek (5-2) and #7 Kamara Vision (3-1) have likewise shown encouraging form on dirt, despite being bred to handle turf. We’ll use them equally with A Star Is Born Now in the Pick 3.

Race 3: Maiden special weight (6 furlongs, 2:58 p.m. ET)

#4 Schmoozin (7-2) has put up solid Brisnet Speed ratings while hitting the board in all three of his starts on dirt. He’s a logical contender with hot jockey Florent Geroux aboard, but don’t sleep on the chances of the first-time starter #3 Gold Double (8-5).

A well-bred son of Medaglia d’Oro out of Eight Belles (G3) winner Fiftyshadesofgold, Gold Double has posted several sharp workouts in preparation for his debut, including a swift five furlongs in :59 3/5 on Dec. 16 at Fair Grounds. He looms as a threat to win in his first run under colors.

The ticket

Race 1, $5 Pick 3: 6 with 2,5,7 with 3,4 ($30)

Good luck!