Grand Contender commands attention in loaded Saturday allowance

They came out of the woodwork for the Saturday feature at Fair Grounds, a third-level turf-route allowance also open to $62,500 claimers that drew 13 entrants, a massive number for an allowance condition this high.

There are 11 horses in the main body of the field and two more entered for the main track only, though the forecast suggests this race, carded for about one mile, will remain on grass.

The group’s an eclectic one, and the horse that immediately commands attention is Grand Contender. Grand Contender won four races and more than $400,000 during 2014, but after a dismal last-place finish Jan. 17 in the Louisiana Handicap, Grand Contender has been entered by trainer Tom Amoss and owner Maggi Moss on Saturday under the race’s $62,500 claiming option.

Earlier this meet, Amoss ran the multiple graded stakes winner Sum of the Parts for a $40,000 tag. He was claimed, raced once, then retired to stud in Louisiana.

Stallion duty is not an option for Grand Contender, a 7-year-old gelding whose long-term history gives the $62,500 claiming tag some context. Grand Contender was claimed in August 2012 for just $20,000, and in November that year, he ran for a $15,000 tag. It was only during 2013 that Grand Contender began showing the form that made him such a hard hitter in listed stakes-class races at about one mile. Grand Contender never has raced on turf, but he is a brother to Twilight Eclipse, one of the better long-distance grass horses in North America.

The problem for Grand Contender, even if he handles grass, is the presence of Solitary Ranger, a quick horse who figures to go for the lead. That’s Grand Contender’s spot, and he needs the front end to show his best.

General Election makes his first start since July and only his second since November 2013, and nearly nothing has gone right for the multiple graded turf stakes winner since Dick Duchossois purchased him early in fall 2013.

Key contenders

Geothermal (Last 3 Beyers: 73-69-88)

* Makes his first start since April but is running for the first time as a gelding and has posted a very encouraging work pattern for a trainer Steve Margolis, who can win with the right long-layoff comebacker.

* Thrived at Fair Grounds last season, winning a first-level allowance on turf and a second-level allowance on dirt in consecutive starts.

* Those three most recent Beyer figures came after Geothermal had peaked.

Beyond Compare (Last 3 Beyers: 88-92-82)

* Absolutely loves Fair Grounds. Has two wins and a second in his three turf starts at Fair Grounds the last two meets and a win and a second in two dirt starts during the same period. Turf or dirt, it doesn’t matter. Beyond Compare comes to run in New Orleans.

* Last two starts came at 1 1/16 miles, and this one-mile trip actually might be more suitable.

Adios Nardo (Last 3 Beyers: 74-86-84)

* Had a strong 2013-14 Fair Grounds meet, finishing second in two turf stakes.

* Out of action between April and January, he had every right to need his Jan. 16 comeback race for fitness and can improve enough Saturday to find a spot in the trifecta.