Clear Sailing Romps at Fair Grounds

Coteau Grove Farm’s Clear Sailing, away alertly and quickly in command, responded to clever rating throughout under veteran jockey Shane Sellers in Sunday’s $45,000 Fair Grounds feature for fillies and mares at a mile and 40 yards and drew off to tally by 8 3/4-lengths without urging by the rider.

The daughter of 2003 Belmont Stakes winner Empire Maker, trained by Glenn Delahoussaye, increased her career earnings to $56,940 with her second win in three career starts and paid $3, $2.40 and $2.10, accomplishing the distance in 1:42.69 after making early fractions of 25.30 and 50.22. In her local bow, Clear Sailing broke her maiden by four and a quarter lengths here on Dec. 28.

Long Odds Racing Stable’s Just Plain Wayne pressed the pace most of the way, could not stay with the winner but held down the second position by a length and a half at the wire, returning $7.20 and $4.60. Southern Equine Stables’ Arrested Silver finished third, paying $5.80 for the show position.

Racing resumes Monday at Fair Grounds with a first post-time of 1:10 p.m. in a racing week that culminates Saturday with a six-stakes Road to the Derby program headed by the Grade III Lecomte Stakes for 3-year-olds pointing for the Grade II Louisiana Derby March 27.