Fair Grounds: Pair of turf sprints top Friday card

A pair of turf sprints, one an open, second-level allowance, the other for high-end Louisiana-breds, are the highest-class fare on a 10-race Friday card at Fair Grounds.

The open race, restricted to fillies and with a $40,000 claiming option, goes as race 6 and drew an overflow field of 14 entrants. The race lacks standouts, but since trainer Brad Cox has been winning turf races at a frenetic pace and March On finished second last out at Churchill under similar conditions, she figures as the betting favorite. The pick, though, is Simple Surprise, a long-layoff comebacker for trainer Steve Asmussen who might have significant upside in turf sprints.

Eden Grey’s Kitten, Jockamo’s Song, and Nubin Ridge appear to be the principals in race 8, the Louisiana-bred allowance.