Wind Chill Factor Primed for Louisiana Futurity

The best Louisiana-bred juvenile filly in the Pelican State based on recent performances is likely to stay with her fellow state-breds, according to her connections. Gary Scherer and Al and Bill Ulwelling’s Wind Chill Factor will run in at least two more restricted events – including Wednesday’s $100,000 Louisiana Futurity – before a possible return to open company. The dark bay filly has won the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Lassie at Fair Grounds and $150,000 Louisiana Jewel at Delta Downs in her last two starts.

“So far, so good with her,” Scherer, who also trains the filly, reported. “She’s coming into this race well. We will stay with the Louisiana-breds right now and go to the ($125,000) Louisiana Premier Night (Starlet) on February 7th at Delta. After that, it all depends on her. We’ll hope to get this one and go from there. She’ll tell us where.”

The last time Wind Chill Factor tried open company she ran a respectable third to stakes fillies Sarah Sis and Lovely Maria in a salty Keeneland allowance this fall. Such is the only loss of the daughter of Successful Appeal’s four-race career. 

GOOD DEED WORKS BULLET TOWARD PAN ZARETA

Richard and Bertram Klein’s Good Deed signaled her readiness for the $60,000 Pan Zareta Stakes on Jan. 10 with a best-of-59 four-furlong move on Monday morning in :48.20 under jockey Brian Hernandez, Jr. over a good surface.  The Steve Margolis-trained daughter of Broken Vow is exiting a powerhouse performance in an allowance on Dec. 14 in which she set a new course record (1:02.31) for the 5½ grassy furlong distance over which the Pan Zareta will be contested.

“Brian worked her and she did it really well and is doing good right now,” Margolis said afterward. “We are on track for the Pan Zareta.”

A strong move is not news to many who have seen the speedy mare consistently work well in the mornings. The four-time stakes-winning earner of $326,803 has been a famously solid workhorse throughout her 15-race career.

PUMPKIN RUMBLE WILL FIGHT ON TO BRADLEY

Al and Bill Ulwilling’s consistent sophomore gelding Pumpkin Rumble came out of Saturday’s sloppy renewal of the $60,000 Woodchopper Stakes in good order and is on target for another stab at graded stakes company, according to trainer Gary Scherer. The son of English Channel made a belated bid in the Woodchopper, driving between horses to finish third under Florent Geroux – beaten 4¼ lengths. Said strong late punch prompted Geroux to express confidence that he could have won the race had it been a little farther.

“He came out alright,” Scherer reported. “Right now, we’re looking at the (Grade III $100,000 Colonel E. R.) Bradley (Handicap on Jan. 17) as his next spot.”

In 10 starts, the Pennsylvania-bred has only finished worse than fourth once – in his February career debut when finishing fifth of 11 – and has finished in the superfecta in four consecutive stakes races, including the Grade III $500,000 Hill Prince Stakes at Belmont Park. His two wins include a turf maiden victory at Arlington International Racecourse and a state-bred allowance at Presque Isle Downs over its Tapeta surface.

“We may also look at the ($100,000) Sunshine Millions (Turf on Jan. 17), now that Pennsylvania-breds can run,” Scherer said. “But, right now the Bradley looks like the next spot. That’s somewhat the schedule. He ran good enough in the Woodchopper to go to the Bradley and how he runs there will tell us a lot. He still has a condition or two left to run in if we need it.”

Source: Fair Grounds Barn Notes