Validfromthegitgo Choice in Friday Feature

Stephen Peterson’s Validfromthegitgo, who finished third in his last start in Fair Grounds’ $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile Dec. 10, has been installed as a tepid 5-2 morning line choice in Friday’s $40,000 South Mississippi Owners and Breeders Stakes at the Crescent City oval.

The six-furlong dash, restricted to 3-year-olds which comply with the bylaws of the South Mississippi Owners and Breeders Association, is observing its 16th renewal this season as part of Fair Grounds’ stakes schedule and has attracted a field of 10, with seven wagering interests due to three couplings.

In the Champions Day Juvenile, Validfromthegitgo was beaten 2 1/2-lengths for the win but was compromised when shuffled back shortly after the half-mile pole. Before that, the Sam Breaux trainee was third in the $150,000 Louisiana Legacy Stakes at Delta Downs Nov. 19 but raced four-wide throughout. Seven-time Fair Grounds jockey champion Robby Albarado gets the riding assignment in Friday’s sprint.

Capable of providing strong competition for Validfromthegitgo is Pop-A-Top’s Raiseanothergator, who scored a 1 1/4-length win in his last start Dec. 8 here by making the pace throughout in $20,000 claiming company. Conditioned by nine-time Fair Grounds trainer champion Tom Amoss, Raiseanothergator is pegged at 3-1 in the early line will be ridden once again by jockey James Graham, aboard for that last local score.

Coupled in the wagering and the third choice at 4-1 is the Bill Hudson-owned colt Hudson’s Creed, as well as the filly La Belle Cat, second and third, respectively, in their most recent starts. Shane Sellers has been named on the colt, while Kerwin Clark is listed astride the filly, both trained by Eric Heitzmann.

Completing the field is the William Reed-owned entry of Surley and Bonita Saleeta; the William Gilmore-owned duo of Porto Pottea and Doc Storm Cat; Jerry Haggart’s Sweet Harmony and Divine Equine’s Big Chief Duke.