Daisy Devine Overwhelming Choice in Krantz
James Miller’s Daisy Devine, who won the Grade II Fair Grounds Oaks on the main track here two seasons ago but has since become a grass specialist, looms the 2-5 choice in the early line for Saturday’s $75,000 Marie Krantz Memorial Handicap over the Stall-Wilson Turf Course.
Like Saturday’s Grade III Col. E. R. Bradley Handicap, the Krantz Memorial was originally scheduled to be run last Saturday but was postponed a week to allow the turf course more time to dry out from several days of inclement weather.
Trained by Andy McKeever, Daisy Devine most recently proved six lengths the best in Fair Grounds’ $75,000 Blushing K. D. Handicap Dec. 22, has to shoulder the top impost of 125 pounds this weekend but will have the riding services of Irish-born grass specialist jockey James Graham.
Named to oppose Daisy Devine Saturday are Ken and Sarah Ramsey’s Artemus Kitten, Joe Bravo, 117 (4-1); Robert and Lawana Low’s Zapper Belle, Leandro Goncalves, 116 (5-1); Barnett Stables’ Anniversary Girl, Jesse Campbell, 113 (15-1); Shadwell Stable’s Ausus, Shaun Bridgmohan, 114 (20-1); and Nesco Stable’s Totheendoftheearth, Brian Hernandez Jr., 113 (20-1).
DELAUNAY FAVORED IN SATURDAY’S $75,000 F. W. GAUDIN MEMORIAL STAKES
Maggi Moss’s Delaunay, who won the $75,000 Thanksgiving Handicap on opening day at Fair Grounds this season, has been installed as the 9-5 morning line favorite for Saturday’s $75,000 F.W. Gaudin Memorial Handicap.
Brittlyn Stable’s Gantry, runner-up in this season’s Thanksgiving ’Cap but winner of last season’s Thanksgiving ’Cap as well as last season’s Gaudin, is pegged as the 3-1 second choice for Saturday’s Gaudin renewal.
Completing the Gaudin field is supplementary nomination Laurie’s Rocket (9-2); Flashpoint (6-1); Pass the Dice (8-1); Hollywood Hit (10-1); and Hamiltonian (10-1).
PARTY LAD EARLY CHOICE IN SATURDAYS INAUGURAL VAN BERG STAKES
Jal Dastur’s Party Lad, winner of an allowance and $75,000 optional claiming event over the Gulfstream grass in his last start and an allowance race on the main track at Penn National before that, has been installed as the 3-1 favorite for Saturday’s inaugural running of the $75,000 Van Berg Stakes for 3-year-olds over the Stall-Wilson Turf Course at the distance of about 5 ½ furlongs.
Named to oppose Party Lad in the Van Berg are Strike the Note, (4-1); Black Sheep’s Agave Cat (9-2); Animal Style, (6-1); Strong Response, (8-1); Evan’s Calling, (8-1); Sir Pulpit, (12-1); Jo Jo’s Comet, (15-1); Seeking Payday, (15-1); and Nev’s Cat, (20-1).