Jim Tafel homebred Fordubai upset the $100,000 Louisiana Handicap at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots Jan. 18, rebounding from a sixth-place finish in the Hawthorne Gold Cup Handicap (gr. II) last time to earn his second career stakes score by a length (VIDEO).
Off at odds of 7-1 in a field of six older runners, the 4-year-old son of E Dubai broke well from the rail and tracked the pace set by Grand Contender, who ranged up quickly from the far outside to show the way in the 1 1/16-mile test.
A quarter went in :23.84 and a half in :47.49 as Grand Contender galloped along, Fordubai never far behind on the rail. Multiple graded stakes winner Prayer for Relief, favored at 3-5, was also a part of the vanguard while racing third on the outside.
Jockey Robby Albarado kept Fordubai engaged as the field turned for home after three-quarters in 1:11.86, and when a seam opened between Grand Contender and Prayer for Relief, he came off the rail and surged to the fore.
"I got inside and we took advantage of it," Albarado said. "I was able to save ground on both turns and when we turned for home he ran hard."
Time for the mile was 1:36.70, while Fordubai headed safely home despite drifting out in the final sixteenth. The final time was 1:43.37 on a fast track. Grand Contender was second by a neck over Prayer for Relief, those two settling for place and show. Completing the order of finish were Agent Di Nozzo, Street Spice, and Voodoo Storm.
Fordubai returned $16.80, $9.60, and $3.60, while Grand Contender paid $5.80 and $2.60, with Prayer for Relief bringing $2.10.
Bred in Kentucky out of the Unbridled mare Unaffordable, Fordubai improved his record to five wins and two seconds from 11 starts. His other stakes victory came in the Straight Line in August on Polytrack at Arlington Park for trainer Greg Geier. His earnings total is $327,452.
