Fair Grounds: Switch to dirt aids Culinary

Culinary stalked the pace under Carlos Marquez Jr. before taking command through the stretch to capture the $75,000 Furl Sail Handicap by 4 1/2 lengths at the Fair Grounds meeting at Louisiana Downs. Glitteration held on for second after helping set the pace, followed by Go Girlfriend Go.

Originally scheduled for a mile on the turf, the Furl Sail was moved to the main track at a mile and 70 yards following some overnight rain.

Trained by Michael Stidham for Jack Smith III Thoroughbreds, Culinary ($5.60) won for the fourth time in 10 starts, all on dirt. The victory was her first in stakes company since the Arlington-Washington Lassie as a 2-year-old. She covered the distance in 1:43.69 over a fast track, upgraded from good earlier in the program.

The winner's share of $45,000 increased Culinary's career bankroll to nearly $220,000.