Family, Food & Fair Grounds

Racing at Fair Grounds Race Course kicks off for the year with their traditional Thanksgiving Day card highlighted by the Mr. Sulu stakes for state breds and the Thanksgiving Handicap, which sees the return of Gantry from the Breeders' Cup Sprint and course specialist, Cash Refund.  

The early pick-4 merits a looks as 2 of the legs appear to be pretty wide open. Here's a multiple ticket approach to playing the sequence.

Race 2

I usually do not just use a single horse in a race, but #2 Fantastical in the 2nd race appears to lay over this field. He owns superior speed figures, and is the lone speed in the race. If Fantastical does not get the job done, I will just drown my sorrows in more gravy.

Race 3

This is a wide-open state-bred Maiden Special Weight race. #11 Another Shoes is a first-time starter who has worked well for this spot (last 5 works are all 7 days apart) for a trainer that is 14% with debut runners. #5 Taralicious ran great first out at Remington Park for a trainer that has not won a race in 2012. Expect an improved effort with a switch to the Bret Calhoun barn. #12 Chocolat City has flashed early speed against open maidens in his 2 career starts at Churchill and Keeneland. His early foot should be even more evident with this class drop.

Race 4

#6 Outta Tune was a graded-stakes winner earlier this year at Oaklawn Park and should be well prepared for this, since he is 2nd off the layoff. Outta Tune shows 2 victories in his PPs with this angle and his trainer, Chris Hartman, is 28% with these types. #3 Hard Case & #8 Hudson's Creek are both fringe players with good tactical speed that could land in the winner's circle by duplicating their best career efforts.

Race 5

#5 Yonaguska Storm returns from a August layoff for a trainer that is 22% with horses that have been away for at least 90 days. He is undefeated sprinting and been working locally the last month for this spot. #6 Raiseanothergator appears to be a horse for course with his only loss at FG coming to Bourbon Courage, who can be seen in the Clark Handicap on Saturday. Trainer Tom Amoss specifically points his horses for this meet, so don't let the 8-month layoff bother you. #4 Tensas Cold Front's speed figures fit with these and there should be enough early speed to set up his late kick, but he seems more suited to route racing. He should be respected, but this looks like a spot where he is prepping for bigger things down the road.

Pick-4 Tickets

$0.50 2/2,3,5,8,9,11,12/6/1,2,3,4,5,6,9,10=$28

$0.50 2/5,9,11,12/3,8/4,5,6=$12

$1.50 2/5,9,11,12/6/4,5,6=$18

$0.50 2/5,9,11,12/6/9=$2

$1.50 2/5,11/6/4,5,6=$9

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