A 2nd, 3rd and 4th made for a frustrating Friday at Gulfstream. Whatever, it’s Louisiana Derby Saturday in New Orleans and the Conductor needs to make a pit stop. A nice all stakes pick 5 looks like delicious supper while riding the rails..

The Ductor officially has derby fever. Skip.

Race 8: 1 1/16 Mile. (Turf) F.100K Tom Benson Memorial Stakes

#6 Didia (3/1) – This Argentinian superstar is 6/7 on turf and 2/2 at the distance. She’s carried her form to the America, where she’s won twice with a thundering late kick. #1 Adventuring (2/1) will take the most money in this race, but the Conductor is against her at a short price. She’s 0/2 at the distance.

Race 9: New Orleans Classic Stakes

#5 Rattle N Roll (10/1) – There is plenty of early speed in this race and that should set things nicely for this colt. He became really good last summer and is now making his 1st start as a 4-year-old. He’s working bullets entering today and his Oklahoma Derby win at this distance gives him a chance here. With natural development as a 4-year old, he’s the value in this race the Conductor will key .

Race 10:  1 1/8 Mile. (Turf) G2 Muniz Memorial Classic Stakes

#7 Another Mystery (6/1) – This race may be a mystery to some, but not the Conductor. This horse was game in defeat last time and the Ductor likes the cutback in distance for him today. #1 Atone (5/2) will be the heavy favorite exiting a Grade 1 victory in the Pegasus, but that was a weak Grade 1 field. With wins at this distance and over this turf course, #7 Another  Mystery will be flying down the stretch under Prat.

Race 11: 1 1/16 Mile. F.G2 Fair Grounds Oaks

#1 Southlawn (8/1) – This is the stinkiest betting race of the sequence with only a 5-horse field and 3 mediocre favorites. However, the Ductor will find value like only he can. This filly returned off the bench last time vs allowance company and was dominant in victory. She made an early move on the back stretch and extended her lead in the lane. That race puts her right with this group on speed figures and she’ll be a nice price. If you don’t play her, this race isn’t bettable.

Race 12: 1 3/16 Mile. G2 Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby

*Gullet Shot of the Day #11 Jace’s Road (12/1) – Throw out this colt’s two races in the slop and he fits right in with this group. He showed talent as a 2-year old and returned at 3 with a strong gate to wire victory over this Fair Grounds dirt surface. There isn’t much early speed in this race and the Conductor sees him getting a favorable trip setting a moderate pace. Cox clearly believes in him despite his poor effort in the slop last time. Its a good sign that Cox runs him here when he has two other contenders in here, including the favorite #2 Instant Coffee (2/1).

The Conductor's Scribe

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