Stogie's Horse Racing Best Bets for Saturday, Feb 15, 2025

Fair Grounds Race 10 Albert M. Stall Memorial Stakes

14 Stir Crazy enters here off back-to-back Stakes victories, with both wins coming at the Fair Grounds. Irad Ortiz Jr, who has won three of his last 4 mounts while aboard this daughter of Vancouver, is in the irons today. Irad will need to work out a trip from the 14-hole to get the victory today. Win Contender
11 Lakota Spirit didn’t fire in the slop in her most recent race, but I liked this gal’s effort two races back on the Turf. She was able to close into a slow pace that day and won by a nose with a strong gallop out. She faces much tougher today but does have some back-class. Live Longshot
10 Way to be Marie has been facing better in Graded company on the turf. This lightly raced 4-year-old has run well on this Fair Grounds Turf Course, winning two of three races with a placing. I doubt we get 8-1 come post time on this Rob Atras trainee. Major Threat

5 Catching Freedom has a huge class edge versus his rivals here today. He won last year’s Louisana Derby, a Grade 2 event. Colt hasn’t seen race day in over 7 months, but trainer Brad Cox should have this one ready to fire. Cox adds first-time lasix today. Win Contender
7 Batten Down is a want-the-lead type who has won in gate-to-wire fashion twice while running a triple-digit speed figure. Colt has been off for 3 months but the work tab looks tight. If this Tapit Colt doesn’t get caught up in a speed duel, I like his chances. Win Contender
4 Hall of Fame has raced extremely well in two starts since returning from an extended layoff. He defeated a much softer last-out but enters here in good form and has been looking sharp in his morning work. Don’t Ignore

8 Taking Candy failed as the favorite in the most recent start, finishing third by just 1 length at Churchill. This son of Twirling Candy has been training exceptionally well since for Trainer Cherie DeVaux, who hits at a sweet 34% winners after her runners are beaten as the post-time favorite. Win Contender
2 Gigante steps up the class ladder off two impressive wins here at the Fair Grounds. This Steve Asmussen-trained son of Not This Time hasn’t been able to get the victory in the Graded Stakes competition but he does enter here in fine form. He just might be up to the task. Win Contender
3 Unit Economics is a little light in the speed figure department but this Gelding appears to be moving in the right direction. If this field goes quickly early, I love this one’s chance to run them down in the stretch drive. Major Player

2 Good Cheer is unbeaten in 4 Career Starts, including a Grade 2 win last out in the Golden Rod Stakes. Filly has been training well for her 3-year-old debut. She’ll be tough to beat today. Top Pick
1 Anonima has been getting better in each consecutive start. Filly recently Took on winners for the first time and defeated that group by an easy 2-lengths. Gal faces the acid test here and if she continues to move forward I like her chances to pull the upset. Win Contender
3 Ballerina d’Oro is a closer who will need it quick upfront early. She just might get the perfect setup today. Don’t Ignore

7 Septarian makes his second start for the Chad Brown Barn. This Gelding was last seen finishing an even third down in South Florida in a local Stakes. Brown adds first-time blinkers, an angle he hits at 25% winners. This horse’s work tab has been highlighted by bullets and appears to be sitting on a huge effort. Flavien Prat in the irons just adds to the intrigue. Live Longshot
4 East Avenue hasn’t been seen since stumbling at the start of the Breeders Cup Juvenile, finishing a disappointing 9th. If this Colt runs back to his G1 Breeders Futurity victory at Keeneland, he’ll be your likely winner. Win Contender
9 Built has run two very good races here at the Fair Grounds, a near 6-length victory in the Gun Runner Stakes and a second by just a neck in the Grade 3 Lecomte. This son of Hard Spun should relish the added distance today. Major Threat