Intriguing maiden races spotted early on Louisiana Derby card

David Carroll, former Irish jockey, former exercise rider for Easy Goer, former trainer, current assistant trainer to Mark Casse, has crossed to the other side of the River 50 yet still persists in galloping horses most mornings. This can be risky for an older gentleman, and there was Carroll last weekend limping on an ankle the size of a grapefruit and the color of a grape.

This was no galloping mishap: Carroll had been riding a stable pony alongside a maiden named Committed when the horse kicked and hit human bone. Radiographs were negative, Carroll planned to resume galloping this weekend, and Committed can make amends for his mischief in race 6 on Saturday.

The turf route in which he’s entered is one of four open maidens on the card, and as has been the case all winter in New Orleans, there are promising nonwinners racing. One of Committed’s opponents is Hidden Enemy, a colt overdue to clear the maiden ranks. Hidden Enemy is by Galileo out of Acoma, one of the best horses Carroll trained. Also in this turf route is first-time starter Snow House, a Brad Cox-trained Juddmonte Farms homebred by Twirling Candy out of Structure. Connections report the horse has talent, but two turns is an uncertain variable.

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In race 7, the Cox barn has first-time starter Speightharmony, a Bridlewood Farm homebred by Speightstown and the first foal to race out of Leslie’s Harmony. Leslie’s Harmony was winless in two starts but is out of the great broodmare Leslie’s Lady, producer of Beholder, Into Mischief, and Mendelssohn. Speightharmony has ability and probably is live. One of her rivals, Only Kidding, is by Speightharmony’s uncle, Into Mischief, and while talented is likely to need a race or two, trainer Brendan Walsh said.

Race 5, a dirt sprint, could be the deepest of the maiden contests. Tulane Tryst looked like a real runner finishing second, with an 82 Beyer, in his career debut Jan. 30. Yet another horse by into Mischief, Tulane Tryst was scratched from a March 4 maiden race after popping a foot abscess, trainer Cherie DeVaux said, and has since come back to train encouragingly. Beduin Fighter, a War Front first-timer for trainer Steve Asmussen, is a grand-looking colt with talent. Mr. Sippi has been working like an entirely different horse than the one you see in the past performances, trainer Joe Sharp reported.

In race 2, Road Bible, another Asmussen firster, has physical tools but needs mental growth. The barn also runs Alejandro, the grandson of the great Rachel Alexandra, who should improve in his second start this meet. Cross Check, a brother to multiple stakes winner Avery Island, races with blinkers added after a modest career debut and, trainer Walsh said, seems set to take a meaningful step forward.