Hersh: Fair Grounds horses to watch for week of Jan. 16
PRAIRIE REBEL
Trainer: Richie Scherer
Last race: Jan. 14, 8th
Finish: 2nd by a neck
Beyer: 83
Improving five-times-started 4-year-old tried two turns for first time and still had a big finish. Rails at 20 feet might have made difference here, since wide closers (and, man, was he wide in the homestretch) tend to take the worst of it in that configuration. Think connections have him figured out. Next-start breakthrough.
TOUR DE FORCE
Trainer: Mark Casse
Last race: Jan. 15, 4th
Finish: 1st by 2 3/4
Beyer: 82
Okay, he was odds-on in this maiden turf race, and there’s not much chance at a price, but you might get one in the right N1X allowance. Debuted in a sprint, which was too short, and connections went in this grass race only because an older maiden dirt route didn’t fill. Strode out very nicely in the stretch, yet barn really thinks he’s better on dirt.