Giant's Tomb may show more life

NEW ORLEANS - The last time most of the horses in Monday's feature race at Fair Grounds got together, Giant's Tomb was the beaten favorite, with little more than excuses to show for his effort.

With that race under his belt, trainer Mark Frostad is looking for Giant's Tomb to show more in this first-level optional $50,000 claiming race on turf.

When Giant's Tomb raced on Jan. 22 at this condition level, he made a solid move into contention at the top of the stretch, but was unable to take over, finishing fifth, beaten by two lengths.

"He made a good middle move," Mark Frostad said. "He just got bogged down on the inside, in the softer part of the turf, and came up short."

For Frostad, Monday's about 1 1/16-mile race is a chance for Giant's Tomb to demonstrate the talent he displayed while finishing second in the $155,000 Display Stakes near the end of the Woodbine season, on Dec. 5. In the Display, he went four wide to finish second, and Frostad believes that race showed more of the horse he expects Giant's Tomb to become.

"He's going to be a nice horse, we just need to get him moving along," Frostad said. "He just needed that first race off the layoff."

The horses standing in the way of Giant's Tomb include five whom he faced on Jan. 22. Of those horses, Pegasus Prancer was the highest placed, finishing second with a strong move to pass Why Not Be Perfect, who took over at the top of the stretch but weakened to finish third.

Trainer Bret Calhoun has entered two for the $50,000 claiming price, and both fit at this level.

Royal Stepper finished fourth, beaten 1 3/4 lengths, on Jan. 22, an effort that pleased Calhoun.

"He really moved forward in that race," Calhoun said.

Calhoun's said his other entrant, Mr. Winthrop, is steadily improving, but admits that turf is a question mark for him.

Bridgmohan wins 2,000th race

Jockey Shaun Bridgmohan rode his 2,000th career winner when he guided Outfitter to victory in Saturday's first race at Fair Grounds.

"It's a relief," said Bridgmohan, 30, during a ceremony in the winner's circle. "I've been looking forward to it for a while now and it felt good to finally get it out of the way."

Fittingly, Outfitter is trained by trainer Steve Asmussen, for whom Bridgmohan primarily rides.

"I'd like to thank Steve for giving me so many good horses to ride," said Bridgmohan. "He's always shown a lot of faith in me and I really appreciate his support."