Though there aren't any graded stakes races going on at the Fair Grounds this weekend, it's still a big day for a lot of locally owned and bred colts and fillies. The showcase of the day is the Louisiana Champions Day Classic Stakes, a 1 1/8 mile jaunt which will help determine which racers in the Bayou will be amongst the favorites going into the big stakes races for next year.
You can find horse racing odds at BookMaker.eu at the online racebook.
ODDS ANALYSIS
1: Udoknowjack 12/1
2: Social Misfit 12/1
3: Stormdriver 6/1
4: One King's Man 9/2
5: The Pickett Factor 2/1
6: Hot Zapper 15/1
7: Know You Now 30/1
8: Just Stormin 20/1
9: Mobile Bay 9/5
It's not going to be easy picking out the winner in this field, but there's a really good chance that Mobile Bay ends up at least hitting the board as the favorite of this race. Favorites at the Fair Grounds of late have done particularly well, winning exactly 50 percent of the time since November 1.
Mobile Bay though, isn't the only main choice. The Pickett Factor is just behind at 2 to 1 and could reasonably go off as the favorite of this race, while One King's Man and Stormdriver are only just behind.
FAVORITE TO FOLLOW
Even though Mobile Bay has a Grade 2 win at the Louisiana Super Derby under his belt, we still prefer The Pickett Factor of the two heavy favorites. Here we have a colt who really only knows Louisiana in his career, and he's had all sorts of success here. His Beyers have been consistent in the mid-90s, and he's been amongst the favorites virtually everywhere he has gone.
The Pickett Factor wants to come out of the blocks in a hurry, something that not many do in this field, and he should find the sledding to the top of the pack easy in the first furlong or two. Let's not forget that this is a pony with five wins in his seven career races.
UNDERDOG TO WATCH
Last year, One King's Man finished third in this race, posting a 101 Beyer Speed Rating. This year's field might be bigger, but it doesn't have the same caliber of colt in it in our estimation. If he breaks 100 again in this one, he'll probably end up winning.
One King's Man wants to hang back and stalk, and he should be able to do just that. It's a little concerning that he's a colt who typically runs just one mile, and this is a significantly longer race, but if he's got the distance, he should be a contender.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
However, to us, this is a two-horse race. Mobile Bay has six straight races under his belt with at least 90 Beyer Speed Ratings, and he's probably going to replicate that here at the Fair Grounds. Edgar Prado is a fantastic jockey, and he's won some awesome races in his career, including here aboard Mobile Bay.
That said, we still prefer The Pickett Factor. There's something about a pony who seeks out the lead that encourages us. We just don't like the traffic which Mobile Bay will have to deal with in this one to come from behind, and that's why we'll stick with the second choice on the board to win the Louisiana Champions Day Classic Stakes.
Play The Pickett Factor to win the Louisiana Champions Day Classic Stakes
Need to fund your account before the big race but don't have your computer? No problem! BookMaker Sportsbook now offers a mobile betting cashier so you can deposit money directly from your smartphone or tablet. Don't miss out on getting paid because you couldn't bet. Click here, and deposit at BookMaker now! The Louisiana Champions Day Classic Stakes is scheduled for Saturday, December 12, 2015 at 5:52 p.m. ET at Fair Grounds Race Course.
