Expert handicapper Marcus Hersh from Daily Racing Form has analyzed the February 17 racing card at Fair Grounds, highlighting his top picks for each race during the Mardi Gras season. His best bet is Canal Street in the third race. The selections offer insights into horse performances based on recent form and track conditions.
The Tuesday, February 17 card at Fair Grounds features nine races, with Hersh projecting 1-2-3 finishers for each. In the first race, a Louisiana-bred dirt-route maiden, he favors Musical Band over Remi and Top Notch Protocol, noting Musical Band's solid third-place finish in a November dirt sprint and better stamina for two turns. Remi led fast last time but may struggle to stay the distance.
For the second race, Mister Banderas tops the list ahead of Wholelottadeal and Classical Knight. Hersh recalls supporting Mister Banderas previously and sees the cutback to 5 1/2 furlongs suiting him after a troubled second-place finish on January 24. Wholelottadeal impressed by defeating the odds-on favorite in his return from a break.
The third race brings Hersh's best bet, Canal Street, followed by Cool Lucky Lady and Sweet Alexis. He emphasizes Canal Street's strong dirt routes from the previous meet and her competitive second in a recent class rise, despite preferring dirt over turf. Cool Lucky Lady improved with blinkers and longer distances in her last start.
In the fourth, Cool Customer leads Mount Vernon and Maximum Effort, with Hersh viewing the stretchout to routes as ideal for the bred-for-distance colt after a promising turf-sprint comeback. The fifth race sees Twenty Two Black over Flash of Chaos and Fake Smart; the $100K purchase drops in class and showed improved speed on January 24.
Sy B is the pick for the sixth against Exclusive Star and Queen Wilhelmina, fresh off a June layoff after facing strong competition. The seventh favors Abilene over Love and Trust and Tap to Open, building on her debut promise despite meeting a tough rival. Shining Star headlines the eighth ahead of Party Pauline and Big Trouble, excelling in her U.S. turf debut. Finally, in the ninth, first-timer A Lotta Shance edges My Touch and Dirty Straight Up, backed by fast workouts.
These picks draw from horses' past performances, trainer patterns, and trip notes, aiding bettors on this Mardi Gras card.
