Fair Grounds stakes plays for Feb. 13

A total of six black-type races will headline a standout Saturday card at Fair Grounds, led by the $400,000 Risen Star S. (G2). The bonanza day of racing attracted big and competitive fields, especially in the stakes events, and I think that there are some value horses worth including in the undercard contests.

Rachel Alexandra S. (G2)

With the expected scratch of recent stakes heroine #9 Charlie’s Penny, the affair will send eight sophomore fillies postward. #1 Clairiere (5-2) will not be a huge price in her three-year-old debut, but the bay daughter of Curlin fascinates me for Asmussen. Well-bred miss was produced from the brilliant Cavorting, and she displayed a lot of class from a pair of juvenile assignments in 2020. Golden Rod (G2) runner-up is training well and will save ground throughout with Talamo on board.

Fair Grounds S. (G3)

Group 1 hero #4 Danceteria (6-1) showed a strong turn of foot into a slow pace to be runner-up in a Gulfstream allowance test in his stateside bow for Motion. Redoute’s Choice gelding lands in a spot where the pace will be honest at the very least, and I expect him to run them down late beneath John Velazquez.

Mineshaft S. (G3)

A fine field has been assembled for the 1 1/16-mile contest. #3 Chess Chief (8-1) might not win, but the Dallas Stewart trainee is in very good form and all three of his lifetime tallies have come locally as well. Into Mischief five-year-old will be doing his best work from off the pace at a price under the guidance of James Graham.

Albert M. Stall Memorial S.

Grassy endeavor attracted a big field of 12 in a good betting event. #5 Room to Finish (8-1) sports a 10-5-3-0 local line and rates as a horse-for-the-course contender. Wayne Catalano trainee has run a pair of big races on the surface in preparation of Saturday, and the Giant Oak mare will be very dangerous late if she is able to keep touch early on.

Colonel Power S.

The 5 1/2 -furlong turf dash features a fine field of nine, and I will side with Mark Casse’s #5 Turned Aside (4-1) in the first stakes of the day. Grade 3 winner brought $725,000 at Keeneland November, and the son of American Pharoah seems poised for a big showing in his four-year-old debut. The colt is training well and is proven on firm, good, and yielding turf courses alike. Adam Beschizza will guide the speedy bay.