Doncho and Alys Beach on Fair Grounds’ Worktab, Connections Name Target

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Gun Pilot Kicks Off Four-Year-Old Campaign at Fair Grounds on Saturday
2023 Rachel Alexandra Winner Pretty Mischievous Named Champion 3-Year-Old Filly
Exotic Animal Races College Day is January 27

New Orleans, La (Jan. 26, 2024) – Doncho returned to the Fair Grounds worktab on Monday, Jan. 22. It was his first drill since his impressive debut win on Dec. 30. Breezing in company with maiden stablemate Violet Flame, the son of Mo Town out of the Henny Hughes mare Sassy Redhead went a half mile in 48.40 seconds, 9th best of 141 at that distance.

The newly-turned 3-year-old trained by Michelle Lovell cruised to a five-length victory over Bango’s highly-regarded little brother, Evan On Earth. He earned a 95 Brisnet Speed figure going easily through the six furlongs in that maiden breaker.

Lovell reports she is targeting an allowance race on Tuesday, Feb. 12 (Mardi Gras), written for 3-year-olds at 6 furlongs on the main track.

Amoss Circles Rachel Alexandra for Alys Beach

Putting in her second breeze since scratching from the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1), Alys Beach went four furlongs in 49.60 for trainer Tom Amoss on Monday, Jan. 22. The 3-year-old filly put in the 44th fastest time of 141.

After breaking her maiden on first-asking at Saratoga, the daughter of Omaha Beach out of the Bernardini mare Pray for Leslie went directly to stakes company and ran a strong 4th in the Spinaway (G1). In her third start, Alys Beach stretched out and finished third in the Alcibiades (G1).

Tom Amoss has confirmed that Alys Beach is targeting the $300,000 Rachel Alexandra (G2) on Feb. 17 for her next start.

Other known probables for the Rachel Alexandra include: the Untapable-victress Alpine Princess (Brad Cox), the Golden Rod (G2)-winner Intricate (Brendan Walsh), and Perfect Shot (Steve Asmussen), second last-out in the Silverbulletday.

2023 Rachel Alexandra Winner Pretty Mischievous Named Champion 3-Year-Old Filly

On Thursday night, Pretty Mischievous won the Eclipse award for Champion 3-Year-Old Filly. Godolphin’s Pretty Mischievous paved her way to winning Kentucky Oaks 149 with scores in the Untapable and the Rachel Alexandra (G2), along with a second-place finish in the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2). Adding victories in the Acorn (G1) and the Test (G1) to her resume, along with finishing second in the Cotillion (G1), the Brendan Walsh trainee has seven career wins and is yet to finish out of the money in 10 lifetime starts.

Gun Pilot Kicks Off Four-Year-Old Campaign at Fair Grounds on Saturday

Fifth last out in the Woody Stephens (G1), Three Chimneys Farm’s Gun Pilot will begin his 4-year-old campaign at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots on Saturday. Entering a 6-furlong optional claiming second-level allowance race, the son of Gun Runner who also finished fifth in the 2023 pat Day Mile (G2) will face a salty field of eight older male rivals.

Putting in six local drills ahead of his return for trainer Steve Asmussen, on Saturday, Jan. 20 the son of Gun Runner fired a best-of-139 bullet, going four furlongs in :47.30 from the gate. Morning line oddsmaker Mike Diliberto painted the 5-2 favoritism on Gun Pilot’s back.

Florent Geroux will break Gun Pilot from post 6.

Stablemate Powerful is entered as well. Courtlandt Farms’ $200,000 Ed Brown winner did not step forward as a 3-year-old, defeated soundly in his three sophomore stakes starts, including in the Rebel (G2). The son of Nyquist has posted 10 local works ahead of his 4-year-old debut, including a five-furlong bullet on Monday, Jan. 8.

Corey Lanerie will be aboard Powerful, tabbed 8-1 in the morning line.

Scheduled as race 4 with a 4:51 p.m. CT post time, Gun Pilot’s return is the first leg of Saturday’s $1 Pick 6 (15% takeout, non-jackpot).

Exotic Animal Races Family Day is January 27

Exotic Animal Races College Day is Saturday, Jan. 27 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. The ever-popular card encompasses one heat each for camels, ostriches and zonkies as they join forces with a premium card of nine horse races. First post is 3 p.m. CT for Saturday’s eight race card.

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About Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots

Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, one of the nation’s oldest racetracks, has been in operation since 1872. Located in New Orleans, LA, Fair Grounds, which is owned by Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ Global Select Market: CHDN), also operates a slot-machine gaming facility and 16 off-track betting parlors throughout Southeast Louisiana. The 152nd Thoroughbred Racing Season–highlighted by the 111th running of the Louisiana Derby–will run from Nov. 17, 2023 through March 24, 2024. More information is available online at www.fgno.com.