Dear Readers:

Before we dive into the exploits of Fair Grounds Racing Club horses Excitations and Efforting, we’d like to update our readers on the Times‘ recent activities. We are pleased to announce that the Times is contributing a piece to a local Louisiana publication for its fall issue that features one of our favorite historical racing figures from New Orleans–Duncan Kenner. We’ll provide a link in September when the story is available (and we’ll post some related photos at that time). Stay tuned!

Excitations at the Spa: Fair Grounds Racing Club colt Excitations shipped to Saratoga in early July, following his fifth-place effort in the Grade 3 Matt Winn Stakes on Stephen Foster Day at Churchill on June 17th. As we mentioned in the last post, this two-turn race at 1 mile & 1/16th was quite a test for him, but trainer Al Stall, Jr.., felt it was worth trying him in this spot for three-year-olds with the short field. Excitations held on for six furlongs then tired, again showing his true preference for shorter distances. Watch the replay here: Race 5, June 17, 2017.

Two weeks later while still stabled at Churchill Downs, Excitations had an impressive work, ranking 1/77 going four furlongs in a time of 47.60. Since being stabled at Saratoga, the colt has worked twice–including once over the turf training track–and is now entered to race this Saturday, July 29th (Jim Dandy Day), in the Grade 2, $200,000 Amsterdam Stakes, a 6 1/2 furlong race for three-year-olds. The Times will be there at the Spa to witness what we hope will be Excitations’ next victory!

Efforting Takes Second in the $100k Louisiana Legends Soiree Stakes at Evangeline Downs: Kudos to our filly for finishing a valiant second in her first effort at a two-turn mile! Efforting was beat by the fast-closing winner by one length, and you can view the replay here (Race 5, July 8, 2017). Al has sent her to the farm for the rest of the summer, giving the filly some well-deserved time off and freshening so she’ll be ready to tackle the Fair Grounds meet this fall.

Thanks for reading!
Sincerely,
Editor, Antebellum Turf Times