Top Stakes to Bet On: Gulfstream Park to Fair Grounds

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Fair Grounds has one of their biggest racing days of their meet on Saturday. The New Orleans based horse racing track runs the Grade 2 Rachel Alexandra and the Grade 2 Risen Star. Both races are key preps for the Kentucky Oaks and the Kentucky Derby respectively. Also on Saturday, the Grade 3 Razorback takes place at Oaklawn Park. Check out horse racing lines and more info on those three races as well as three more happening on Saturday, Feb. 18.

Top Stakes Races for the Week

When: Saturday, Feb. 18

Gulfstream Park

Grade 3 Royal Delta – 1 1/16 miles dirt – 4 year old fillies and mares

Second in the Grade 3 Comely, Claude “Shug” McGaughey trained Kathleen O. projects as the favorite. The Upstart sired runner could attract enough action to go off at less than even money.

Horseplayers figure to make John Terranova trained Midnight Stroll the second choice. Don’t Get Khozy, Jungle Juice, Classic Edition, Soul of An Angel, and Tap Dance Fever should round out the field.

Oaklawn Park

Grade 3 Razorback Handicap – 1 1/16 miles dirt – 4 year olds and up

Peter Miller trained runner Ginobili won the Fifth Season Stakes in the last. Ginobili is likely to go off the chalk along with Last Samurai, the Pegasus World Cup fourth place finisher.

Rater R Superstar, Long Range Toddy, and Law Professor will attract action. So will D. Wayne Lukas trained Caddo River.

Fair Grounds

Grade 3 Fair Grounds – 1 1/8 miles turf – 4 year olds and up

Kenny McPeek should train the favorite in Tiz the Bomb. The Hit the Bomb sired runner steps onto the grass for the first time since finishing fourth in the Grade 2 National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame at Saratoga in early August.

Michael Stidham trained Pixelate and Two Emmy’s from the Hugh H. Robertson barn should battle for second choice money. Cavalry Charge and Gentle Soul have a shot and should offer under the radar odds.

Grade 3 Mineshaft – 1 1/16 miles dirt – 4 year olds and up

Every year, the Mineshaft is one of the Fair Grounds’ most popular races. This year, horseplayers get a chance to back a Todd Pletcher runner in Pioneer of Medina. The Pletcher equine finished second in the Grade 3 Harlan’s Holiday in the last.

Favoritism projects to fall onto either Hoist the Gold, who finished third in the Grade 1 Malibu in the last, or Grade 3 Louisiana Stakes winner Happy American. Mr. Wireless, King Fury, and Brad Cox trained Tawny Port should also run.

Grade 2 Rachel Alexandra Stakes – 1 1/16 miles dirt – 3 year old fillies

So far, just six fillies have signed on to run in the Grade 2 Rachel Alexandra. All six have a shot to skip into the winner’s circle. Among the six, horseplayers are likely to back Hoosier Philly with the most money. The Tom Amoss trained runner finished first in the Grade 2 Golden Rod in the last. Knockyoursocksoff should get some play.

No doubt, second choice will be Chop Chop. Cherie Devaux puts the saddle on Vahva, which ran to a third-place finish in the Untappable Stakes in the last.

Grade 2 Risen Star – 1 1/16 miles dirt – 3 year olds

Horseplayers should expect an overflow field for the Grade 2 Risen Star. Among the name contenders are Curly Jack, Tapit’s Conquest, Determinedly, Todd Pletcher trained Crupi, and Single Ruler. The Risen Star will be a handicapping challenge. So take your time before deciding on the horse you believe wins.