Fair Grounds horses to watch: Week of Feb. 15

CAPTURED
Trainer: Jonas Gibson
Last race: Feb. 9, 4th
Finish: 3rd by 7 1/2
Beyer: 46
Debuted in a sprint race, had no speed, and seemed to be running in place – until the top of the stretch. Came up the fence with a big rally and at the finish was going far, far faster than the two who beat him. He was in front 50 yards past the wire and galloped out like his tail was on fire. Claimed out of the race and hoping his new connections stretch him out while being realistic concerning class level.

THIEVES GOLD
Trainer: James Toner
Last race: Feb. 8, 5th
Finish: 1st by 2
Beyer: 80
Second-time starting 3-year-old filly was 3-5 winning this turf sprint and hardly inconspicuous, but the hope is she gets in a decent two-turn allowance or stakes and offers a fair price. Rained off turf in her debut, she showed the stride of a grass horse and was much smoother on grass. She was the only turf winner among four on the day to be anywhere near the fence and lead, and her gallop-out marked her as a filly ready for two turns.

SEVEN SEVEN SEVEN
Trainer: Bret Calhoun
Last race: Feb. 6, 8th
Finish: 4th by 8 1/2
Beyer: 35
First-time starter probably should have been scratched after dumping jockey and running loose for a couple minutes in post parade. Had good works and made a good physical impression before post-parade incident. Deserves another chance in a Louisiana-bred maiden, hopefully at odds inflated by this showing.

MCGEHEE’S MERCY
Trainer: Corale Richards
Last race: Feb. 6, 9th
Finish: 2nd by head
Beyer: 69
This is a grass horse whose race was rained onto dirt, but he’s doing so well right now that he nearly won anyway in a field that was decent for the class level (Louisiana-bred $25K route claiming). Was 8-1 here and might still offer value while being formidable back on grass in a similar spot.