Temp Takes Fair Grounds Feature

Gainesway Thoroughbreds and Thoroughbred Legends Racing Stable’s Temp, allowed to settle early, launched a bid when set down for the drive, took command at the eighth pole and drew off late for a length and a half victory in Sunday’s $49,000 allowance and $17,500 optional claiming featured sprint at Fair Grounds.

Trained by Ronny Werner and ridden by Corey Lanerie, Temp returned mutuels of $16.20, $6 and $3.60, toured the three-quarter mile distance in 1:10.45 and increased his career earnings to $90,763 with his second win from eight lifetime starts.

Fletcher Properties’ Hard Case made the pace with splits of 22.04 and 45.55, could not stay with the winner in the final furlong but easily held the place, paying $5.40 and $3.20 while finishing 4 1 / 4-lengths in front of Gary and Mary West’s Contemporary, who returned $3.20 to show.

Racing resumes on Fat Tuesday at Fair Grounds – the only Tuesday racing program of the Fair Grounds season – with a nine-race program that will begin at 12:40 p.m. and feature the 68th running of the $75,000 Mardi Gras Handicap.