Mageez back at his best distance for B-Connected

Mageez came between two of the best Louisiana-breds in training last out when he finished second in the Louisiana Champions Day Classic, and that performance will make him one of the top choices in Saturday night’s $65,000 B-Connected at Delta Downs.

The B-Connected, at a mile, is restricted to Louisiana-breds who have not won a stakes race. The conditions preclude Mageez from again hooking either Mobile Bay, the winner of the $150,000 Louisiana Champions Day Classic, or The Pickett Factor, who finished third in the Fair Grounds race Dec. 10.

The B-Connected will highlight a Delta program of 10 races that gets under way at 5:40 p.m. Central. The card is one of two nighttime programs on offer this New Year’s Eve, said Delta’s director of racing, Chris Warren. The other comes at Turfway Park in Kentucky.

B-Connected, Race 8

KEY CONTENDERS

Mageez, by Market Man

Last 3 Beyers: 85-78-67

◗ He ran arguably the best race of his career in defeat last out, when he rallied for second in the Champions Day Classic. He took on older rivals as a 3-year-old and finished 4 3/4 lengths behind Mobile Bay, a Grade 2 winner who has earned $916,440. In addition, Mageez earned his highest career Beyer Speed Figure, an 85.

◗ Mageez was stretching out to 1 1/8 miles for the first time in the Champions Day Classic and on Saturday night will be returning to the one-mile distance over which he has recorded three of his four career wins.

◗ Ashley Broussard has the mount for Double Dam Farm and trainer Delmar Caldwell.

Fort Pulaski, by Any Given Saturday

Last 3 Beyers: 84-84-81

◗ He will be returning to the main track, the surface of his three career wins, after finishing second in the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Turf on Dec. 10 at Fair Grounds.

◗ Fort Pulaski is a winner at Delta, having accounted for a conditioned allowance over open company at a mile in October.

◗ Diego Saenz has the mount for Tigertail Ranch and trainer Danny Pish.

Southern Argument, by Closing Argument

Last 3 Beyers: 82-81-65

◗ He has made three career stakes starts and finished fourth in all of them – the Champions Day Classic, the Gold Cup in October at Delta, and the A.L. “Red” Erwin in September at Louisiana Downs.