Top Stakes to Bet On the Weekend: G3 Lecomte Stakes, Astra Stakes & More

On Saturday, Fair Grounds Racetrack in New Orleans has one of it’s biggest days of their meet. The non-graded Silverbulletday and the Grade 3 Lecomte headline a stakes action filled card. Then over at Santa Anita, the Great Race Place runs the always popular Astra Stakes. Check out top plays and Horse Racing Odds for the Top Stakes Races of the Week from Saturday, January 21st. You can also visit our Online Racebook to place your bets on active racetracks.

Horse Racing Odds, Picks, and Betting Analysis for Saturday | Jan. 16th Edition

Fair Grounds | Saturday, Jan. 21

Marie G. Krantz Memorial – 1 1/16 miles turf – 4 year old fillies & mares

Mark Casse trained Miss Speedy heads to the turf after winning an allowance race over Woodbine’s synthetic in her last. The connections could make this filly the chalk.

Money will also go to Brendan Walsh trained My Philly Twirl, and Fancy Martini from the Joe Sharp barn. Wave Of Goodness finished second in the Blushing KD in her last, which could push her to favoritism.

Colonel E.R. Bradley Stakes – 1 1/16 miles turf – 4 year olds & up

Ready to Puurform, a Kitten’s Joy sired runner, won the Grade 2 National Racing Hall of Fame at Saratoga in August. This is a big drop in class from the race, which should make the Brad Cox trained colt the chalk in this.

Two Emmy’s won the Outbound Ike in the last. Other runners include Sailing Solo, who finished fifth in the 2021 Colonel E.R. Bradley, Brad Cox trained Price Talk, Big Agenda from the Joe Sharp barn, and Bret Calhoun trained Gentle Soul.

Grade 3 Louisiana – 1 1/16 miles dirt – 4 year olds & up

Tenth in the Kentucky Derby, Zozos returns to the Fair Grounds to run in the Grade 3 Louisiana. More than a few horseplayers will back Zozos to take the lead in the Louisiana and never look back.

Top contenders after Zozos include a pair from the Bret Calhoun barn, Run Classic and Mr. Wireless. Connections for Intrepid Heart, Tenacious Stakes winner Happy American, Forza di Oro, Chess Chief, and Business Model, also plan on running.

Silverbulletday Stakes – 1 mile 70 yards – 3 year old fillies

Second in the Untappable Stakes, The Alys Look could go off at odds on to win this. The likely favorite’s trainer, Brad Cox, will also saddle Chop Chop.

It’s going to be tough to beat either Chop Chop or The Alys Look. Norah G, Hayunevano, Forest Chimes, Cotton Candy Annie, and Amber Cascade will give it a shot.

Grade 3 Lecomte Stakes – 1 1/16 miles – 3 year olds

Grade 3 Street Sense winner Two Phil’s should attract plenty of action. The favorite, though, projects as last out maiden winner and Brad Cox trained Tapit’s Conquest.

Instant Coffee, another from Brad’s barn, won the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club in the last. Steve Asmussen puts the saddle on Echo Again, Kenny McPeek should enter Denington, and Keith Desormeaux plans on running Confidence Game.

Santa Anita | Saturday, Jan. 21

Astra Stakes – 1 ½ miles turf – 4 year old fillies & mares

Warren’s Candy Girl, Tiz An Edventure, and Queen of the Temple will headline what should be a full Astra Stakes field. Phil D’Amato will run both Macadamia and Leisurewear.

George Papaprodromou will also saddle a pair in Lady Clementine and Karakatsie. Duvet Day and Clockstrikestwelve will attract action in what’s bound to be one of the most competitive stakes races of the day.