Geier Pleased With Fordubai

Trainer Greg Geier was pleased with the one-length winning effort by Jim Tafel’s Fordubai in Saturday’s $100,000 Louisiana Handicap on Road to the Derby Day at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.

The Louisiana Handicap is the first leg of a local series for older horses on the main track that will conclude with the Grade II New Orleans Handicap on Louisiana Derby Day March 29.

“That horse ran very, very well yesterday,” said Geier when speaking of Fordubai Sunday morning.  “He came out of it no worse for wear this morning so I think we’ll probably go on to the next one – the (Grade III) Mineshaft (Handicap, middle leg of the series on Louisiana Derby Preview Day Feb. 22.)

“Mr. Tafel watched the race on television from Florida,” concluded Geier, “and he seemed very pleased when I talked to him after the race.”

ROSIE RIDES FOUR WINNERS; ASMUSSEN SADDLES THREE

Three-time Fair Grounds’ defending rider champion Rosie Napravnik rode four winners, taking down three stakes including both Grade III events, the Col. E. R. Bradley and the Lecomte, while 13-time Fair Grounds trainer champion Steve Asmussen saddled three winners during Saturday’s Road to the Derby Day at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. Shaun Bridgmohan had a riding triple.