Fair Grounds Race 8 - Race 8 - Maiden Special Weight
MAXIMUM EFFORT (13) did little and finished 7 lengths from the winner in seventh over 1710m at this track last start after being prominent at the bend, a less impressive effort than his fifth at Churchill Downs the run before. Suitably placed so anticipating a big run this time. ROYAL CAUSEWAY (6) has been in the placings at his last two starts, finishing third last time over 1710m at this track (Turf). Suitably placed so anticipating another big run. FOLLOW UP (2) is a three-year-old colt on debut. From an elite family that includes black type success, being by Upstart from Etsu. Has fared well at the barrier draw and should be in the finish. BLACK HORNET (1) finished 9 lengths away in eighth after being prominent at the turn at his last appearance over 1710m at this track (Dirt) on December 20. Looks to be in the right race to figure in the finish. Something for the Multiples: NEXT TIME (10)
Jockey: Marcelino Pedroza, Jr.
Weight: 54.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Returns from a 47-day let-up. Last start 8th of 12 at this track on December 20 over 1710m, 9 len behind Thunder Buck carrying 54.5kg at $26.50. The run before that 2nd of 7 at this track on November 22 over 1710m, 0.8 len behind Arabia Wild carrying 54.5kg at $4.20. Sure to be right there at the business end.
Last Starts 47 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8/12 | 20/12/2025 | 28 | MDN 2 | $84,227.00 | Fairgrounds | 1710m | Fast | Marcelino Pedroza | 54.5kg | 1:44.83 | 7-1-8 | 10 |
| 9.5L | $26.50 |
| 2/7 | 22/11/2025 | 51 | MDN 2 | $82,443.00 | Fairgrounds | 1710m | Fast | Axel Concepcion | 54.5kg | 1:46.39 | 5-3-2 | 5 |
| 0.8L | $4.20 |
| 4/8 | 02/10/2025 | 57 | MDN 2 | $48,930.00 | Indiana Downs | 1609m | Fast | Marcelino Pedroza | 54.5kg | 1:39.65 | 4-3-4 | 8 |
| 4.0L | $2.20 |
| 2/6 | 06/08/2025 | - | MDN 2 | $49,612.00 | Indiana Downs | 1006m | Fast | Marcelino Pedroza | 54.5kg | 0:58.00 | 6-3-2 | 5 |
| 9.3L | $2.70 |
Jockey: Jose Ortiz
Weight: 54.5kgs
Stats
Comments
First-starter by Upstart out of Etsu. Nice profile and any positive market lead must be respected.
Jockey: Mitchell Murrill
Weight: 54.5kgs
Stats
Comments
At the latest run 2nd of 9 at this track on January 8 over 1710m, 7 len behind Touch Of Fire with 54.5kg at $15.50. The start before that 7th of 12 at Churchill Downs on November 29 over 1408m, 21 len behind Cannoneer with 54kg at $49.16. Sure to be about the money.
Last Starts 28 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/9 | 08/01/2026 | 40 | MDN 3 | $80,717.00 | Fairgrounds | 1710m | FM | Mitchell Murrill | 54.5kg | 1:43.85 | 1-2-2 | 8 |
| 7.0L | $15.50 |
| 7/12 | 29/11/2025 | 34 | MDN 2 | $183,206.00 | Churchill Downs | 1408m | Fast | Rafael Bejarano | 54kg | 1:21.63 | 3-5-7 | 10 |
| 21.8L | $49.16 |
| 9/11 | 26/10/2025 | - | MDN 2 | $182,648.00 | Churchill Downs | 1609m | FM | Ben Curtis | 54kg | 1:37.35 | 11-8-9 | 9 |
| 7.5L | $46.75 |
Jockey: Sofia Vives
Weight: 54.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Jumped at long odds at debut, ran last of 8 at this track on January 24 over 1207m, 22 len behind Noble Affair with 54.5kg at $29.10. Didn't quite do enough on debut to raise the hopes.
Last Starts 12 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8/8 | 24/01/2026 | - | MDN 3 | $80,717.00 | Fairgrounds | 1207m | Fast | Sofia Vives | 54.5kg | 1:09.84 | 8-8-8 | 2 |
| 22.0L | $29.10 |
Jockey: Florent Geroux
Weight: 54.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Most recently 3rd of 9 at this track on January 8 over 1710m, 9 len behind Touch Of Fire carrying 54.5kg at $3.20. The race before that sat on the pace when 2nd of 11 at Churchill Downs on November 29 over 1609m, 1.5 len behind Gairloch carrying 54kg at $7.92. Has the right credentials.
Last Starts 28 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3/9 | 08/01/2026 | 40 | MDN 3 | $80,717.00 | Fairgrounds | 1710m | FM | Florent Geroux | 54.5kg | 1:43.85 | 7-6-3 | 5 |
| 9.5L | $3.20 |
| 2/11 | 29/11/2025 | 35 | MDN 2 | $183,206.00 | Churchill Downs | 1609m | FM | Florent Geroux | 54kg | 1:36.64 | 4-4-2 | 2 |
| 1.5L | $7.92 |
| 6/12 | 25/10/2025 | 34 | MDN 2 | $167,428.00 | Keeneland | 1811m | FM | Florent Geroux | 54kg | 1:50.59 | 7-6-6 | 7 |
| 3.8L | $22.25 |
| 5/11 | 21/09/2025 | 24 | MDN 2 | $183,486.00 | Churchill Downs | 1710m | SP | Florent Geroux | 54kg | 1:46.09 | 9-6-5 | 7 |
| 8.3L | $8.72 |
| 4/11 | 28/08/2025 | - | MDN 2 | $263,566.00 | Kentucky | 1609m | FM | Florent Geroux | 54kg | 1:35.90 | 11-6-4 | 10 |
| 5.0L | $20.89 |
Jockey: Ben Curtis
Weight: 54.5kgs
Stats
Comments
First-starter by Oscar Performance out of Unchained. Prefer to see him under race conditions.
Jockey: Paco Lopez
Weight: 54.5kgs
Stats
Comments
First-starter by Honor A P out of Achira. Betting the best guide.
Jockey: Jareth Loveberry
Weight: 54.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Raced twice to date. At very big odds at debut, settled back and ran on when 6th of 12 at Churchill Downs on November 30 over 1006m, 4.5 len behind Arbiter carrying 54kg at $88.15. Second-up second last of 7 at this track on December 20 over 1207m, 13 len behind Sockdolager with 54.5kg at $29. Hard to recommend.
Last Starts 47 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6/7 | 20/12/2025 | 20 | MDN 2 | $84,227.00 | Fairgrounds | 1207m | Fast | C J McMahon | 54.5kg | 1:10.05 | 3-6-6 | 5 |
| 13.8L | $29.00 |
| 6/12 | 30/11/2025 | - | MDN 2 | $183,206.00 | Churchill Downs | 1006m | FM | Mario Gutierrez | 54kg | 0:57.67 | 10-8-6 | 10 |
| 4.6L | $88.15 |
Jockey: James Graham
Weight: 54.5kgs
Stats
Comments
At debut, tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 4th of 9 at this track on January 8 over 1710m, 9 len behind Touch Of Fire carrying 54.5kg at $14.60. That race experience to prove invaluable.
Last Starts 28 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/9 | 08/01/2026 | - | MDN 3 | $80,717.00 | Fairgrounds | 1710m | FM | Jim Graham | 54.5kg | 1:43.85 | 3-3-4 | 1 |
| 9.6L | $14.60 |