Bloemer Girl Won't Crack at Fair Grounds

Andrew and Christa Arthur’s Bloemer Girl, away alertly and quickly in command, made the pace and withstood two late challengers to capture Thursday’s $51,000 allowance and $40,000 optional claiming filly and mare grass dash at Fair Grounds by a half-length.

The winner, trained by Mike Stidham and ridden by Richard Eramia, accomplished the about 5 1/2-furlong distance over the Stall-Wilson turf course rated “good” in 1:05.86,  increased her career earnings to $127,544 with her third win in six lifetime starts and returned mutuels of $7.80, $3.80 and $3.40.

Klaravich Stable and William Lawrence’s Notassharpasuthink rallied on the outside late to finish second, paying $2.80 and $2.20 while a head in front of Kim and John Glenney’s Dos Lunas, who returned $3.20 for the show spot.

Racing resumes Friday at Fair Grounds with an unprecedented 18-race program beginning at 12:40 p.m. and including the last of six Starlight Racing programs as the nightcap.