Fair Grounds: Palace Malice much the best in New Orleans Handicap

Palace Malice and Normandy Invasion long have been regarded as familiar rivals and close in ability. That was reflected as much Saturday at Fair Grounds in the wagering for the Grade 2, $388,000 New Orleans Handicap.

On the tote board, horseplayers made Normandy Invasion the even-money favorite over Palace Malice (6-5). On the racetrack, however, things turned out much differently, as Palace Malice glided away in the stretch under jockey Mike Smith to put a 4 3/4-length drubbing on Normandy Invasion, with four others finishing farther back.

Spotting his opposition four to nine pounds when carrying high weight of 121 pounds, Palace Malice secured a good stalking spot before meeting no resistance from the early leader, Bradester, when moving to challenge at the quarter pole. Normandy Invasion loomed a menace at that point, albeit momentarily, as Palace Malice proceeded to run off without undue pressure down the lane.

Palace Malice, winner of the Belmont Stakes and Jim Dandy last year, now is 2 for 2 this year and an emerging leader in the North American older-horse division. He returned $4.40 after finishing the 1 1/8-mile distance in 1:48.93 over a fast track.

“This horse holds a special place in my heart,” said Smith, who was aboard for those two major victories last year. “I am just so happy that it worked out that I got to reunite with him and he didn’t let us down. He might be better than he was last year. He did that pretty handily today.”

Trained by Todd Pletcher for Dogwood Stable, Palace Malice now has 5 wins and 4 seconds from 14 career starts. Palace Malice, a 4-year-old Kentucky-bred colt by Curlin, earned $240,000 to lift his bankroll to $1,871,135.

For Pletcher, the victory extended a remarkable streak, giving him his sixth win in the New Orleans Handicap in the last eight runnings. His prior wins came with Master Command (2007), Circular Quay (2008), Battle Plan (2010), Mission Impazible (2011), and Graydar (2013).

Normandy Invasion, carrying 115 pounds, was another 6 3/4 lengths ahead of Sunbean. Then came Fordubai, Golden Soul, and Bradester. Mister Marti Gras and Prayer for Relief were early scratches, leaving a field of six older horses.

Both Palace Malice and Normandy Invasion were coming off smashing victories at Gulfstream Park and were making their second starts following layoffs.

The $2 exacta (8-5) paid $8.20, the $1 trifecta (8-5-6) returned $14.90, and the 10-cent superfecta (8-5-6-7) was worth $3.49.