Daddy Nose Best , a smashing stakes winner in his first start over the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots turf, returns to the New Orleans track as the top weight in the $125,000 Colonel E. R. Bradley Handicap (gr. IIIT) Jan. 18.
Cathy and Bob Zollars' multiple graded stakes winner, trained by Steve Asmussen, drew post 9 in a field of 12 for the 1 1/16-mile test. The Col. Bradley, one of five stakes on the Fair Grounds card Saturday, is race 6 with a 2:55 p.m. CST scheduled post.
The 5-year-old son of Scat Daddy is on the best roll of his career with four victories in his past five starts. He comes off a 3 1/2-length score in the Buddy Dilberto Memorial Handicap over the turf course Dec. 21. After a bump at the start, he rallied from 10th on the turn that day with a big sweeping move to get the lead at the sixteenth pole and quickly draw off. He picks up three pounds off that effort and will shoulder 122 with jockey Rosie Napravnik taking over for David Flores.
The only loss for Daddy Nose Best during his current streak came when he ran fifth in the River City Handicap (gr. IIIT) on good turf at Churchill Downs Nov. 23. The two-length winner of that race at odds of 45-1, Potomac River, makes his first Fair Grounds start for trainer Jose Camejo and owner Maribel Ruelas.
Potomac River, a 5-year-old horse by English Channel , has not started since the River City. Regular rider Juan Vargas will be aboard Potomac River, who carries 121 pounds.
Irish-bred Speaking of Which also comes off a graded stakes tally, taking the Tropical Turf Handicap (gr. IIIT) at Calder Casino & Race Course for Christophe Clement, who trains the 5-year-old for owner/breeder Moyglare Stud. A group III winner in his native country, Speaking of Which has two victories in seven starts in the United States. Shaun Bridgmohan has the call from post 10.
Local favorite String King was second in the Col. Bradley last year behind Optimizer and heads into this year's renewal in razor-sharp form. The 6-year-old—owned, trained, and bred in Louisiana by Charles Smith—has won five of his past 10 starts dating back to November 2012, with four seconds and a third over that span.
String King was beaten a nose by Sunbean in the Louisiana Classic on a sloppy main track in his most recent start Dec. 14. On turf, the bay has a 9-6-2 career mark in 20 starts. James Graham rides from post 3.
Leaving from the rail is Marine Patrol, second in the one-mile Woodchopper on yielding sod at Fair Grounds in his most recent appearance Nov. 30 for trainer Wayne Catalano and owners Gary and Mary West.
Maggi Moss' 6-year-old Grand Contender looks to make amends for trainer Tom Amoss after his three-race win streak was halted with a fourth-place showing as the favorite in the Tenacious Handicap Dec. 21. The 6-year-old Strong Contender gelding would be making his first start on grass.
$125,000 Colonel E. R. Bradley Handicap (gr. IIIT, Race 6, 2:55 p.m.), 4 & Up, 1 1/16 Miles (Turf)
PP. Horse, Jockey, Weight Trainer
1. Marine Patrol (KY), F Geroux, 113, W M Catalano
2. Slip and Drive (MD), A Canchari, 117, H H Robertson
3. String King (LA), J Graham, 117, C C Smith
4. Grand Contender (KY), M Mena, 116, T M Amoss
5. Pure Tactics (TX), J Theriot, 115, M G Nicks
6. Runaway Stephen (KY), C R Rosier, 111, J M Foster
7. Potomac River (KY), J P Vargas, 121, J M Camejo
8. Zenji (KY), R E Eramia, 112, M Lovell
9. Daddy Nose Best (KY), R Napravnik, 122, S M Asmussen
10. Speaking of Which (IRE), S Bridgmohan, 120, C Clement
11. Agent Di Nozzo (KY), C A Emigh, 116, S Margolis
12. Adios Nardo (FL), M Guidry, 116, L G Gabriel Jr.
Daddy Nose Best won the Buddy Dilberto Memorial Handicap at Fair Grounds on Dec. 21.
Hodges Photography/Lou Hodges, Jr.