Colonial Colony Looks to Rebound at Fair Grounds

Colonial Colony will be seeking his first win since his 62-1 shocker in the Stephen Foster Handicap (gr. I) at Churchill Downs in June when he lines up in the $60,000 Louisiana Handicap Friday at Fair Grounds.

Colonial Colony last raced in the Clark Handicap (gr. II) at Churchill Downs, finishing eighth in his first start for new trainer Dallas Stewart. The 6-year-old son of Pleasant Colony has been through a torrid stretch of four grade II stakes or better since the Stephen Foster, including running against top company from New York to California. Friday, against a field of six other older horses, he figures to be the horse to beat.

Jockey Larry Melancon will have the mount aboard Colonial Colony, who will break from post 5 under highweight of 122 pounds. He has been installed the 9-5 morning-line favorite.

Trainer Neil Howard sent out Midway Road to capture the Tenacious Handicap earlier this month, but has chosen to train his stable star up to the Feb. 12 Mineshaft Handicap. So Howard will go to the bullpen and start the capable Alumni Hall in Friday's 1 1/16-mile event.

A full brother to 2000 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) winner Secret Status, Alumni Hall began his career earlier this year at 5, winning four of his first five starts. During that stretch, the A.P. Indy colt captured the Black Tie Affair Handicap at Arlington Park. Alumni Hall tried the turf in a grass allowance race earlier in the Fair Grounds meet to no avail, but shows a bullet work in his latest work heading into Friday.

Regular rider Robby Albarado will be aboard Alumni Hall from post 3.

Kodema, Absent Friend, and Fantasticat, the third-, fourth-, and fifth-place finishers behind Midway Road in the Tenacious, will also try to break through with a win at the meet in the Louisiana Handicap.

Post time for the New Year's Eve 10-race card is slated for 12:30 p.m. CST.

Louisiana Handicap, Fair Grounds, $60,000, 1 1/16 miles, 3-year-olds and up, Friday, Dec. 31, approx. post: 4:22 p.m. CST
PP - Horse - Wgt. - Jockey - ML
1 - Kodema - 116 - Jose Martinez - 7-2
2 - Absent Friend - 114 - Carlos Marquez Jr. - 6-1
2 - Alumni Hall - 117 - Robby Albarado - 4-1
4 - Fantasticat - 115 - Gerard Melancon - 6-1
5 - Colonial Colony - 122 - Larry Melancon - 9-5
6 - Crowned King - 113 - Corey Lanerie - 20-1
7 - Gigawatt - 114 - Steve Ramsey - 6-1