Fair Grounds horses to watch: Week of Feb. 1

FABLE
Trainer: Pavel Vashchenko
Last race: Jan. 26, 9th
Finish: 2nd, by 3 1/4
Beyer: 56
Beaten more than three lengths but still might have been best. Squeezed back twice before the first turn, crept into contention along the rail, was poised for stretch rally at fence when shut off, had to switch out and still came home with good energy behind favored winner. All this in career debut going two turns on turf.

MUTASAAWY
Trainer: Dan Peitz
Last race: Jan. 25, 6th
Finish: 4th by 6 3/4
Beyer: 62
Needs turf for best and should never have been heavily favored here in off-the-grass route. Hoping angry bettors hold it against him when he returns to the grass.