There may be only one graded stakes race this weekend nationwide, but Fair Grounds offers a strong card loaded with listed-stakes action to whet one’s appetite. I’ll look at the lone graded stakes of the weekend, the Mr. Prospector from Gulfstream, along with two of the solid stakes races in New Orleans on Saturday. Mr. Prospector Most people will view Coal Front as strictly the horse to beat. He’s trained by Todd Pletcher, he’s earned two 100+ Beyer Speed Figures, and he isn’t facing a group of world-beaters in this spot. Personally, I’m not convinced Coal Front is the same horse he once was. After missing more than a year, this son of Stay Thirsty returned in last month’s Bold Ruler at Belmont, cutting out fast fractions before fading badly. He may have the built-in excuses of setting a fast pace and tiring off a 13-month layoff, but I’m not willing to gamble on him at a short price. A horse that isn’t naturally as talented as Coal Front but is worth a look in the Mr. Prospector is Storm Advisory. Storm Advisory’s most recent start should be ignored, as he faced better horses in the Clark Handicap at a distance (1 1/8 miles) he doesn’t want. The turn-back to seven furlongs should be to his liking, and his versatility should work to his advantage given the likely pace scenario. One of Storm Advisory’s better races puts him right there at the wire on Saturday. Blushing K.D. Brad Cox saddles two horses in the Blushing K. D., with most people likely to gravitate toward Take These Chains. Take These Chains is a nice filly that’s always hinted at tremendous ability, but I’m not sure she has a substantial edge on this field and is likely to encounter some added pace pressure. Conversely, Beau Recall will relish a pace duel and should be rolling from the back of the pack. Beau Recall, making her first start for Cox, has always had a serious turn of foot, but would often find herself too far back to seriously threaten in California. The likely pace scenario Saturday should set her up nicely to come rolling from off the pace, and the morning-line odds of 9-2 seem fair. Tenacious Tom’s d’Etat is one of the more intriguing prospects headed into 2019 for trainer Al Stall Jr. The problem with this 5-year-old son of Smart Strike has always been his health. A winner of three consecutive starts by a combined margin of 18 1/2 lengths, Tom’s d’Etat will be making only his ninth start Saturday. His best effort is likely too much for this group, but there’s another entrant I find interesting enough to take a small chance with. I’ve long maintained that Snapper Sinclair would be better suited going one-turn distances, but he ran creditably going 1 1/16 miles at Churchill Downs in his most recent start, and he’s run well at Fair Grounds. The winner of his most recent start returned to win a stakes race at Remington last week with a 95 Beyer Speed Figure, so the form of the Nov. 16 race appears legitimate. The slight cutback to a mile and 70 yards should be within Snapper Sinclair’s ability, and he’s likely to offer a more appetizing price than Tom’s d’Etat.