Fair Grounds sprint could bring speed duel for Gonna Tell Mama

A pair of entry-level allowance races, one for older turf sprinters, the other for 3-year-olds sprinting on the main track, headline Monday’s nine-race card at Fair Grounds.

The turf sprint, race 3, should have Perfect Easter as a heavy favorite. Perfect Easter missed by a nose at this class level, distance, and surface in his most recent start, but does have a history of finishing second or third in races he might have won.

Race 5, the 3-year-old dirt sprint, drew only six entrants, but still looks difficult to figure. The major question is whether Gonna Tell Mama, third at odds of 4-5 in a Feb. 7 race at this class level, will show his speed from the rail. If he does, Gonna Tell Mama could hook up with morning-line favorite Changing the Rules in a heated speed duel. Goodtimehadbyall, who turns back from a two-turn start and has won from off the pace in a dirt sprint, could be the beneficiary of an early battle.