'Im Special' gets new look

There are a number of reasons why Believe Im Special should be much closer to the pace than usual on Saturday night in the $50,000 Bayou State for Louisiana-breds at Delta Downs.

For one, he will be stretching out around two turns for the 6 1/2-furlong Bayou State. Believe Im Special will also be racing in blinkers for the first time in his 34-race career, and in his most recent work he drilled three furlongs from the gate in a bullet 35.20 seconds on March 5.

These factors suggest Believe Im Special will be prominent early. He comes into the race on the heels of a third-place finish in a restricted stakes at Delta, when he closed from fifth as the favorite in a five-furlong race on Feb. 19.

He has made just one start around two turns in his career, finishing fourth to Nitro Chip, who earlier this meet won the $200,000 Louisiana Premier Night Championship. Believe Im Special owns some of the best Beyer Figures in the field on Saturday, and brings an impeccable Delta record of 9-5-4 from 19 starts.

Guy Smith has the mount for trainer Thomas Sam.

Kim's Gem, who was second in the same Feb. 19 stakes that Believe Im Special exits, will be making his two-turn debut in the Bayou State. Sylvester Carmouche Jr. has the mount for trainer Lloyd Romero.

Alice From Marigny will move back to dirt and the statebred ranks. The last time he went turf to dirt he won a seven-furlong race at Delta. Ricky Faul will ride for trainer Howard Alonzo.