Hersh: Fair Grounds horses to watch for week of Feb. 1
Farewell Time
Trainer: Howard Alonzo
Last race: Jan. 27, 9th
Finish: 5th by 5 3/4
Beyer: 44
First-timer with fast works was said to have good early speed never got to show it after bobbling at the start and getting checked. Ran on decently behind front-running winner. Took some betting first up but night go overlooked second time out.
Out of the Trappe
Trainer: Vickie Foley
Last race: Jan. 28, 4th
Finish: 4th by 12 3/4
Beyer: 56
Was trying to sneak up inside at half-mile pole of one-mile dirt race when horse drifted in, forcing rider to check. Back progressing again about a furlong later when another horse came in, this time even worse, forcing rider to stand straight up and pull back reins as hard as he could. Did well to get as close as he did, and appeared to have run when trouble came.
Rollwithit
Trainer: Delmar Caldwell
Last race: Jan. 29, 5th
Finish: 4th by 5 3/4
Beyer: 38
Third-time starting turf debuter was moving nicely down backstretch and into second turn, but got locked in a pocket along the fence for the better part of a quarter-mile as the winner and several horses revved up on the outside. Finally clear at quarter pole, he went for a spot outside fading horses but was sawed off by the eventual runner-up and checked past the eighth pole. As suspected, turf seems to be his surface.
Special Ops
Trainer: Brad Cox
Last race: Jan. 29, 7th
Finish: 1st by 2 1/2
Beyer: 93
Hoping he winds up in the Fair Grounds Handicap on Feb. 25 because he ought to be a fair price there. Climbed allowance ladder with ease winning this second-level race after a first-level score. Had trouble at half-mile pole, too, and was hand-urged to comfortable victory.