Move to turf may be ideal for closer

NEW ORLEANS - One of trainer Greg Foley's entries has a mind of her own, and the other hasn't shown any love for the turf.

Still you have to like Foley's chances when he sends out uncoupled stablemates Valentine Fever and She's Extreme in Monday's featured ninth race, a third-level optional $62,500 claimer scheduled for 5 1/2 furlongs on the Fair Grounds turf.

In a wide-open betting affair, Valentine Fever stands out, even though she hasn't had any success in three tries on turf. She enters for the $62,500 claiming option, coming in off a strong second-place effort in which she tried to close from last on Feb. 5 in a dirt sprint here.

"I thought she ran a monster race," said Evan Downing, an assistant to Foley. "She rallied and just couldn't get up."

Though that race came over the main track, Downing said he believes Valentine Fever may appreciate the closing bias of the Fair Grounds turf course.

"The way she closed last time, I think she might do well on the Fair Grounds turf," said Downing. "I think she's coming into this race really great."

While Valentine Fever will be hoping to close, her stablemate, She's Extreme, will be trying to get to the front early. The barn has a lot of confidence in her, having entered her in eight stakes races in her 16-race career, but she often has taken herself out of the running.

"She has talent, but she can be her own worst enemy," said Downing. "I think she wants to make the lead. She can have horses to her side, but she doesn't like to be in the pack."

She's Extreme ran against Valentine Fever in the Feb. 5 race, and stopped badly under her regular rider, Miguel Mena.

"She can be very rank, and Miguel had to fight her in traffic," said Downing. "When he got her out, and asked her to go, she wouldn't make a run for him."

She's Extreme gets a rider switch to James Graham for Monday's race.

Since her last race, She's Extreme turned in a strong work on Feb. 28, going five furlongs in 1:00.40.

The horse that kicked the most dirt in She's Extreme's face in that race was Ocean Colors, who returns here. Although she ended up four lengths behind Valentine Fever in their last meeting, Ocean Colors has shown talent over the turf, finishing in the money in all three of her tries on grass, including an alowance win last year at Churchill.