Strollers of Bourbon Street beware, the Claiming Crown is coming to your neighborhood. The Super Bowl of Claimers leaves it home of Canterbury for one year for an inaugural run at Fair Grounds, and it couldn’t be at a better time.

Calling for high 60s and a 13-race card, Saturday promises to be a good time for all. The Crown, is a five-race series, that unfortunately will not see
Rapid Redux. From a betting standpoint, this can only help the card (1/9 shots tend to kill the value of the exotics), which has lured graded stake types to the bill.
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I will be making my second trip to New Orleans which I thoroughly enjoyed at last year’s Louisiana Derby. For those who have never been, the flavor of old New Orleans is like no other. The homes are breathtaking, the people are great, and yes, Bourbon Street is a 24 hr show in itself (people watching is a must). 

Fair Grounds puts on a great show with top caliber riders, trainers, and horses. Track announcer John G. Dooley or John G to his friends is by far one of the best race callers in the biz, and if you haven’t�
been to Mother’s for some “Down Home Cookin”, well then frankly, you are just missing out.
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If you come out to the track, come on by and say Hi. I’ll be the one with the big ole smile on my face, and hopefully a couple of winners in my pocket . . . 

Rain surprised the heartland Thursday night along with high winds and cold tempratures, but it was business as usual on the backstretch Friday morning at Hoosier as horsemen prepare for Derby Day.

Most of the Derby field has not arrived yet, but the Steve Asmussen-trained Wilburn shipped in from Belmont on Thursday and jogged a mile over the sloppy surface and according to assistant trainer Darrin Flemming, took to the surface quite well. He’s big, good Looking, and I give him a big shot at a price.

As far as the Oaks is concerned, Bob Baffert’s AZ Warrior galloped 1 ¼ miles both Thursday and Friday and looked every bit the even-money favorite she will more than likely be. Kristin Crawford, assistant to Brett Calhoun’s barn, said she too also traveled over the surface well, and will be saddling her for the Baffert barn with Southern California rider Martin Pedroza scheduled to ride. She is a probable single for many Pick 4 Tickets.

Although, rain is predicted for the early morning Friday, all indications are we should have a fast surface for Saturday’s card, with crisp temperatures in the 50s. That’s all for now. If you are in the area, come out to Anderson, I know they will great you with open arms . . .