Weekend Stakes Races – San Pasqual Stakes

The two big races of the weekend occur on separate tracks. The Grade III Lecomte Stakes occurs at the Fairgrounds in New Orleans, LA while the Grade II San Pasqual occurs at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, CA.

Both races should give online sportsbook betting fans a few overlays in which to choose from.

Let’s get to the races!

Fairgrounds Race – 9

Grade III Lecomte Stakes

$100,000

For Three Year Olds

1 mile on dirt

Technically, this is the first graded prep race for the Kentucky Derby this year. Three-year olds that do well in the Lecomte usually go on to the Risen Star Stakes and the Louisiana Derby. After that, it’s all about the Kentucky Derby. Which horse looks good to win the Lecomte this Saturday? How about Indygo Mountain, the $600,000 purchase out of A.P. Indy and trained by Brett Calhoun? Indygo Mountain will be coming off of a maiden victory but he’s the classiest horse of this bunch and Calhoun knows the Fairgrounds very well. For second, Professor Z for trainer Steve Asmussen could definitely wire this field. Professor Z should go off the favorite, though, which means he might be an underlay in this race. I like Au Moon to finish third. Like Indygo Mountain, Au Moon is going into this off of a maiden victory. Unlike Indygo Mountain, Au Moon’s speed ratings aren’t very good, but he could improve enough to make his presence felt in this.

1. Indygo Mountain

2. Professor Z

3. Au Moon

Santa Anita Park – - Race 8

Grade II San Pasqual Stakes

$150,000

For Four Year Olds and Up

1 1/16th miles on Pro-Ride

There’s tons of speed in this race with Well Armed, Ball Four and Slew’s Tizzy all knowing only one way to run. That means that the Mark Casse trained Marchfield, who hails from Woodbine Racetrack in Canada, is the play. Marchfield doesn’t compare to a few of these in the speed department in this but Casse has done well with his horses so far during the Santa Anita meet Marchfield is a Grade II winner. He can close into a hot pace in this. Past the Point finished second to Slew’s Tizzy in his last but he could turn the tables on that rival as it was his first race after a layoff. He keeps Rafael Bejarano which is a good thing. Cowboy Cal, the Todd Pletcher trained horse from the east coast, might go off the chalk in this. He has the speed to stay with these and he should be improved off of his three year old season.

1. Marchfield

2. Past the Point

3. Cowboy Cal

Good Luck!