Fair Grounds: Giacallure faces winners for first time in Friday feature

The lessons the 3-year-old colt Giacallure learned in two rained-off-turf starts this winter served him well when he actually got to race on the Fair Grounds grass course Feb. 22.

Giacallure showed good early tactical speed, made a nifty move at the half-mile pole, displaying push-button acceleration to regain a favorable position briefly lost, and then finished off 12 foes with a strong run at the top of the stretch to win a maiden race by almost four lengths.

The performance produced only a modest 65 Beyer Speed Figure, and Giacallure did get a favorable ground-saving journey, but he still can be competitive facing other winners for the first time in the featured seventh race Friday at Fair Grounds, a first-level allowance at about one mile on grass.

Giacallure, by Giacomo and out of a mare by two-time Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Lure, already has earned almost $10,000 more than his $25,000 purchase price at a yearling auction in 2012.

“I think the colt is all right,” said Giacallure’s trainer, Richie Scherer. “I thought he won pretty impressive, especially the way he did everything the rider asked him to. He moved two or three times in the race.”

Scherer noted that the maiden race Giacallure won got a boost this past Saturday when horses who finished behind Giacallure ran one-two and two-three-four in split divisions of another 3-year-old maiden turf route. Scherer said Giacallure missed one of two scheduled workouts since the Feb. 22 race because “he got a little foot sore,” but has been training solidly again coming into Friday’s start.

Two of Giacallure’s opponents, Flat Gone and Xtra Luck, were also-rans in the Risen Star Stakes last out, while Saint Finian and Ry’s The Man both have turf wins on the Fair Grounds course this winter, but the major impediment to a Giacallure repeat might be Rainbow Trip.

Rainbow Trip exits a $25,000 claiming race and is entered under the $50,000 claiming option in Friday’s feature, but he fits this spot. Claimed by owner Maggi Moss and trainer Tom Amoss last out, Rainbow Trip rallied steadily for second while facing nine older winners, something no other horse in Friday’s race has done. He has posted three solid-looking workouts since being claimed, and with nine career starts dating to last June, Rainbow Trip has a significant experience and foundational edge.

◗ Print editions of Daily Racing Form will be available for only $1 in New Orleans and southeast Louisiana this Saturday. The discounted Daily Racing Forms will be available at program stands at Fair Grounds as well as at OTB locations.