Two high-level stakes competitors, Saudi Crown and Smile Happy , return to action Jan. 20 in the $175,000 Louisiana Stakes (G3) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. The 1 1/16-mile dirt race attracted seven competitors.
Favored at 8-5 on the morning line is Saudi Crown. After two nose losses in graded stakes company, the FMQ Stables colt broke through Sept. 23 with a half-length victory in the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (G1) at Parx Racing on a sloppy track.
Video: Pennsylvania Derby (G1)
The Brad Cox trainee returns from a 10th-place finish in the Nov. 4 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at Santa Anita Park after not setting the pace for the first time since his debut. He also faced older stakes horses for the first time.
The 4-year-old Always Dreaming colt may prove the pacesetter, having drawn inside of speedy rival and grade 3 winner Five Star General , who is coming off a score in the Dec. 23 Tenacious Stakes when he took command a half-mile into the race en route to a three-length victory at the same course and distance.
Smile Happy has not raced since July 1 in the $1 million Stephen Foster Stakes (G1) at Ellis Park. After delaying the start by several minutes due to a reluctance to walk anywhere near the starting gate, Smile Happy settled in a solid position behind the leaders before finding an open seam turning for home and flattening out to run fifth beaten 4 3/4 lengths by West Will Power . Backers of the 9-5 second choice hope trainer Kenny McPeek has the 5-year-old Runhappy colt smiling happier at the starting gate this time.
Before that effort, the Lucky Seven Stable’s star added a second grade 2 victory in the $600,000 Alysheba Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs May 5 in his third start off a 10-month layoff. Brian Hernandez Jr. rode him that day for the first time since his career debut, and he will be back aboard in the Louisiana Stakes.
Video: Alysheba S. presented by Sentient Jet (G2)
Other Threats
- Happy American looks for a second straight Louisiana Stakes score after winning it last year. He is 0-for-8 since.
- West Virginia Derby (G3) winner Red Route One will make his first start since a third in the Zia Park Derby at Zia Park on Nov. 28. Known for closing from behind, Winchell Thoroughbreds’ son of Gun Runner will need a decent pace up front.
- Confidence Game teams with jockey Corey Lanerie for the first time after three distant losses since a post-Kentucky Derby (G1) layoff that followed his 10th in the Run for the Roses.
The Louisiana Stakes is Race 12 with a post time of 5:30 p.m. CT.
Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, Saturday, January 20, 2024, Race 12Entries: Louisiana S. Presented by Relyne GI By Hagyard (G3)
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