Slow going proves no problem for Forest Uproar in Marie Krantz

Forest Uproar, demonstrating her versatility, won the Marie Krantz Memorial Handicap by three lengths Saturday over heavy, testing ground at Longchamp Racecourse in Paris. Oh, wait – check that. This was Fair Grounds in New Orleans. Only the times in the Krantz made it seem like the race had been conducted over bottomless going somewhere in France.

Racing over a course labeled good, Forest Uproar tracked pacesetting Camidora through splits of – hold on – 28.65 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 55.85 for the half. Three quarters went in 1:21.59, and by the time the mile split was posted in 1:45.27, Forest Uproar had assumed complete command. She stopped the timer while well clear in 1:51.30 for 1 1/16 miles.

“You mean that wasn’t a mile and an eighth?” trainer Mark Frostad deadpanned in the winner’s circle.

“We were a little concerned about the lack of pace,” said Frostad, who trains Forest Uproar for owner-breeder Sam-Son Farms. “Strange things can happen in these races.”

There was nothing surprising about Forest Uproar’s victory, not to the bettors, at least: She returned just $3.20 to win.

Avie’s Tale narrowly finished second, a neck ahead of Instant Style.

The winner, a 4-year-old daughter of Forest Wildcat, showed talent in 2009 but missed almost one year of racing before resuming her career last October at Keeneland. She has won three straight races since coming back into action, and captured her first stakes Saturday.