Louisiana Downs: Back to basics

Bertsgoldenmissile will be making several key moves when he starts as a strong favorite Monday in a first-level allowance for 2-year-olds at Louisiana Downs. He will be cutting back to one turn for the six-furlong race. He will be switching back to dirt. And he will be returning to the overnight ranks after finishing third in the $75,000 Sunny's Halo at a mile on turf in his last start Aug. 16.

"He's a better horse on the dirt," said Jorge Lara, who trains Bertsgoldenmissile for Sandra Jarrett. "A 2-year-old right now, you break your maiden and you don't have too many choices, so I ended up running on the grass. He was still competitive, but I don't think he was as strong as he is on the dirt."

Bertsgoldenmissile last raced on the main track on July 6, and he won a five-furlong maiden special weight by 4 1/2 lengths. He earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 80.

From there, Bertsgoldenmissile moved into stakes company and was second in the $50,000 Minstrel at five furlongs on turf July 19, then third in the Sunny's Halo after prompting the pace and holding well against last-to-first winner Valid Message.

Lonnie Meche has the mount on Bertsgoldenmissile, who is a son of Golden Missile.