New Orleans Handicap (Grade 2)- $400.000 Purse
FG- For Four Year Olds and Upward
One Mile and One Eighth on the Dirt
March 23, 2019
As a part of the undercard for the LA Derby, we will be able to joy some top older horses in the game, as the 14th running of the Grade 2 New Orleans Handicap takes place. This is a race that goes nine furlongs on the dirt and is always good to attract a strong field. Last year, Team 7 Illusions picked up the win with Bay Of Plenty, who went on to become a BC Champion, winning the BC Sprint last year. He would eventually retire that way, never racing again, something that is rather rare in our game. Weights for this handicap range between 117 and 121 pounds. The gate is full, so here’s the field!
#1- Gene Chandler (John Henry, ridden by T Gaffalione)- Became well known for his upset victory in the FL Derby last year, allowing prior trainer Double Cross Ranch to run in the KYD. That would be their last race together, as he was sold to John Henry for $300.000. He hasn’t really found that form again, and his only win since them was an optional claimer on New Year’s Eve. Will he have March magic again?
#2- Having A Blast (Mb Stables, ridden by S X Bridgmohan)- Last year, he ran in the Lewis Stakes before even breaking his maiden. He’d be gelded around this time last year, and broke his maiden conventionally in April. Since then, he has become a consistent horse, with his career highlight to this point being a win at the Grade 3 Lukas Classic at CD in September.
#3- Cube Zero (Aml Racing, ridden by B J Hernandez Jr)- The five year old gelding will make the 23rd start of his career, and only recently has he been finding the winners circle. Four of his five wins have come in his last five races. The most recent triumph was a stake, the $75.000 Curribot Handicap. He has run in some big graded races early in his career, and looks to successfully return to them here.
#4- Liverpool Rocket (Estero Farms, ridden by C J Lanerie)- The trainer is not shy about continuing to put him out there against top notch competition, but that doesn’t change the fact that his last seven races have seen him finish out of the money. A lot in entry fees is being paid on this one recently, and while he has been able to be marginally competitive, it’s time for him to put something in the trainer’s pocket other then a hole in the wallet.
#5-Royal Eclipse (Chili King Stables, ridden by J R Leparoux)- He’s picked up a couple wins since being acquired from Allinthegate last August in private sales for $70.000, including a good looking score in the Grade 2 Fayette at KEE in late October. He followed that up well in running third at the Grade 1 HOL Derby, too. This looks to be the best distance for him, as my impression of the last two races is that he just needed a little more time. I think he runs a big one here.
#6- Made To Sin (John Henry, ridden by J Talamo)- This one continues to go about his career, and will made start #30 here. He has not been impressive lately, rotating poor starts and decent starts since early 2018. At least if that trend continues, this will be one of the better races. He’s never been known for consistency outside of his two year old season. Tough to like him here, but cannot be ruled out.
#7- Eclipse My Knowledge (Nakamura Stables, ridden by A Beschizza)- A double eclipse in this race! First, there’s Royal Eclipse, by Orange Eclipse, and here Eclipse My Knowledge, out of Blue Eclipse. Both should have a decent shot here too. As far as this one is concerned, the gelding hasn’t won since July, but is coming off a pair of solid second place finishes in his last two races, each Grade 2’s. With a little more luck at the wire, each could have been a win, so he is on good form now.
#8- Have A Seat (Maxmillion Farm, ridden by D E Centeno)- A win for this seven year old gelding will put him over the $1,000.000 mark in career earnings in what will be his 53rd career start. He has 23 wins, lifetime, and that must be respected regardless of the competition level of all of the fields. He’ll be happy to be having a seat with Maxmillion Farm, who was rescued him from low claimers and put him back into this level. Won his last start, the Grade 3 Razorback Handicap.
#9- Game Cent (Mb Stables, ridden by R Bejarano)- In sixteen races, Game Cent has seven wins and fourteen finishes in the money, so there is no lack of heart or desire with this one. Lately, he has been most successful in starter allowances, but he also earned a win in a $75.000 stake. He’s tried graded once thus far, and it was one of the two starts that saw him place out of the top three. Certainly, he deserves another chance and should run well.
#10- Stranger (D J C Racing Stables, ridden by J R Velazquez)- Ran third in this race last year in what would be his final start for former trainer Sanny Village. He was picked up by D J C Racing Stables via a $300.000 private sales transaction, and has been very inconsistent. He’s won the Grade 1 Woodward, and ran third in the BC Classic. As good as that is, he also has some tough days, and has been flat ever since the BC Classic. Will the good Stranger show up here?
#11- Farley On Wheels (Tiratzo, ridden by F Pennington)- This one has been relatively lightly raced in what his now his five year old season, with just five starts in the last twelve months. It’s been a struggle for him lately, including running ninth, seven lengths out, in the Razorback Handicap, a race won by Have A Seat. If the trainer understands why that happened and has corrected it, then he could be fine here, but that’s a tough blip on the resume.
#12- Dastardly Havoc (Maxmillion Farm, ridden by T C Baze)- A lot of money has been exchanged for this one, despite just two wins, and six in the money finishes in 17 career starts. So the most money has been in empty entry fees. We’ve seen him in some big races, but at this time his career highlight is winning the Grade 3 Salvator Mile at MTH last May. Also consider his starting post here, and he’s a bit tough to support.
Prediction: 8-5-7-2
— NS
Categories: Grade II, STAKES ARTICLES
