Overflow field for Mardi Gras

The Mardi Gras revelers will have about run out of steam when older filly and mare turf sprinters take to the track late Tuesday afternoon at Fair Grounds for the $60,000 Mardi Gras Stakes. And if the field that was entered mainly holds together, the Fair Grounds grass course will be nearly as crowded as Bourbon Street during the height of Carnival.

Fifteen were entered, 14 in the field’s main body and one also-eligible, in the 5 ½-furlong Mardi Gras. There are connections here looking for dirt, and with the race likely to stay on turf, expect scratches (I’m a Looker, at least, is coming out). Even at a slightly smaller number, the short sprint will be a scramble; it’s best to take a look at horses with speed who can stay out of trouble.

Happily, two fully capable contenders fit the bill, Leigh Court and Adrianne G, with preference to the latter at a better price. The Mardi Gras, with a scheduled post time of 4:26 p.m., is the last of nine races on a card that has an early 12:30 p.m. first post. Barring unforeseen rain, the course will be firm and fast-playing

KEY CONTENDERS

Adrienne G, by Indygo Shiner

Last 3 Beyers: 93-73-71

 You can see from the last three speed figures what the horse prefers to do: That 93 Beyer was earned on grass, the numbers in the 70s on dirt. “Turf is probably what she wants, now,” said trainer Bret Calhoun. “I scratched her out of a dirt race. I couldn’t bring myself to run her there with so many opportunities on turf the rest of the year.”

 She set a fast pace on a firm, fast-playing course winning the $50,000 Battle of New Orleans Stakes when last seen on November 28. Similar course conditions on Tuesday should work on Adrianne G’s favor. “It looks like she likes it like that,” said Calhoun.

 She drew post 5, which is one stall outside of prime pace rival Leigh Court. “Luckily, we drew outside her, and I think that could be key. She’s very fast, and if she breaks like she normally does she’ll be out of traffic, and she’s liable to take it to them after that. She’s doing great right now,” Calhoun said.

Leigh Court, by Grand Slam

Last 3 Beyers: 69-91-96

 Ran well below her best form last fall at Keeneland in the Thoroughbred Club of America Stakes, a dirt sprint she had won the year before, but a wet track – which Leigh Court never had experienced – probably caused that.

 She was given a short break in Florida after that start, but was working at a training track there and has breezed steadily since rejoining trainer Mike Stidham’s string at Fair Grounds.

 Leigh Court has excelled in races at six and seven furlongs, and makes her first start at a distance shorter than three-quarters of a mile. “I’m not going to say that’s going to be her best distance, but it’s a good race to start back with,” Stidham said. “She can be maybe a half-step slow leaving the gate, so if she’s in a stalking spot, I think that will be okay.”