Offspring, Net a Bear tangle again at Fair Grounds

When last they met on the Fair Grounds grass course, in the Red Camelia Stakes last March, Offspring took the measure of Net a Bear. Bigger picture, Net a Bear has been the better racehorse, and if the Fair Grounds grass course plays Friday with the temporary turf rail set out at 26 feet like it did with the rail in a similar position earlier in the meet, Net a Bear will get her revenge.

The two Louisiana-bred mares are among 10 horses entered in a statebred-restricted race with multiple allowance conditions and a $35,000 claiming option. Race 8 on a nine-race program, the Friday feature is carded for about one mile on grass, and if the local forecast holds should remain on turf.

Racing wisdom holds that speed horses often have an edge in turf racing conducted with a temporary rail set well out into the course, yet the opposite has held the last couple Fair Grounds seasons. When the temporary rail comes down and races are run at the “zero” position, forwardly placed grass runner generally have done well; the farther the rail is out, the more difficult it becomes for pace players to hold their position.

:: Get Daily Racing Form Past Performances – the exclusive home of Beyer Speed Figures

Offspring won’t necessarily be on the lead in Friday’s contest, but she’s drawn in post 2 and figures to stake out an early spot in front of Net a Bear. Net a Bear, who’ll have Brian Hernandez Jr. aboard, is 2-2-0 from five Fair Grounds grass starts and typically makes her run later than Offspring. The last run should be the best run, though Net a Bear is pegged at 8-5 on the morning line and won’t offer much value as a totally obvious win threat.

◗ O Besos got a 95 Beyer Speed Figure narrowly winning a Fair Grounds dirt-route allowance race Jan. 2 in his first start since May. Although O Besos stayed on decently to finish fifth in the 2021 Kentucky Derby, trainer Greg Foley told Fair Grounds publicity this week that he’s considering cutting O Besos back to one-turn races.