The racing action from Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots on Friday features the Delmar R. Caldwell Memorial Stakes. @HandicappingT3 has all the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots picks for the entire card!
Full Card Analysis

Fair Grounds Picks- 2024 Opening Day
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Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots Picks – Race 1
Post Time: 12:45 PM CT; Claiming $15k; 1 M Dirt; Field of 10 runners.
- #10 J Z’S FIRST (4-1): Top pick. Proven competitor at this configuration. Shouldn’t have trouble getting the distance.
- #8 MISS DISTINCTIVE (9-2): Major Player. Running well of late. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
- #1 ROLL GYPSY ROLL (9-2): Contender. Has experience at this level. Likely in the mix early.
- #9 LILY’S CREED (5-1): Contender. Race conditions fit this one well. Could be grinding down the competition late.
Selections: 10 – 8 – 1 – 9
Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots Picks – Race 2
Post Time: 1:15 PM CT; Claiming $15k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 13 runners.
- #9 GLENN’S JUMPER (6-1): Top pick. Favorable class relief in this spot. Proven competitor at this configuration.
- #6 MISCHIEF’S MACHINE (8-1): Contender. Good race flow for this runner. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
- #11 JACKED (8-1): Worth a look. Has experience at this level. Previous success in similar race types.
- #8 MARK THE MOOSE (10-1): Fringe Contender. Shouldn’t be disadvantaged by the flow of the race.
Selections: 9 – 6 – 11 – 8
Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots Picks – Race 3
Post Time: 1:45 PM CT; Starter Optional Claiming $20k; 1 1/16 M Turf; Field of 13 runners.
- #2 RICHIESGOTGAME (9-2): Top pick. Love the heart this one shows in a fight.
- #3 Z Z’S PRINCE (8-1): Major Player. Running well of late. Good race flow for this runner.
- #6 SAILING SOLO (9-2): Contender. May be able to find the right setup. Speed figs match up nicely.
- #5 BRIT’S WIT (3-1): Fringe Contender. Ran at this level last out.
Selections: 2 – 3 – 6 – 5
Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots Picks – Race 4
Post Time: 2:15 PM CT; Maiden Special Weight $58k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 12 runners.

Longshot Play of the Day
- #9 TWANG (5-1): Longshot play of the day. Should be able to work out a trip. Proven competitor at this configuration. Bet today’s live longshot on MyBookie.
- #10 THUNDERING DESIRE (4-1): Major Player. Demonstrated success under similar conditions. Good race flow for this runner.
- #7 FAST FLAME (5-1): Major Player. Previous success in similar race types.
- #8 MIKKISONTHINICE (8-1): Major Player. Could be ready to hit a peak performance. Likely to win the battle if challenged in the stretch.
Selections: 9 – 10 – 7 – 8
Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots Picks – Race 5
Post Time: 2:45 PM CT; Joseph R. Peluso Memorial Stakes $100k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 7 runners.
- #7 VOILA MAGIC (9-5): Top pick. Fits well with this group. Race sets up perfectly.
- #1 TDZ HINT OF POWER (4-1): Contender. Potentially cycling to a top performance. Good race flow for this runner.
- #2 LOUISIANA JESS (9-2): Contender. Should find today’s group a bit softer than the last race. This one’s a fighter in the late stages.
- #5 HAY JUDE (5-2): Fringe Contender. May be getting a weaker field than last out.
Selections: 7 – 1 – 2 – 5
Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots Picks – Race 6
Post Time: 3:15 PM CT; Maiden Special Weight $58k; 5 1/2 F Turf; Field of 12 runners.
- #12 FACE THE FUTURE (6-1): Top pick. Top trainer at the meet in Simpson.
- #9 FROSTY BLUE (20-1): Fringe Contender. Seems to be up against the right competition. Potentially cycling to a top performance.
- #11 TIME TO COLLECT (10-1): Worth a look. Hard to argue with the recent races.
- #10 TESTED (20-1): Underneath. Solid turn of foot. Competitive enough in recent efforts.
Selections: 12 – 9 – 11 – 10
Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots Picks – Race 7
Post Time: 3:45 PM CT; Delmar R. Caldwell Memorial Stakes $100k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 9 runners.
- #2 MANAMA GOLD (5-2): Top pick. Stamina to outlast the competition. Strong early pace figs.
- #8 FREEBURN (9-2): Contender. Seems to be up against the right competition. Should take a liking to the race shape.
- #6 SIX STRING (3-1): Contender. Hard to argue with the recent races. Previous success in similar race types.
- #7 NONEYA (8-1): Fringe Contender. Ran at this level last out. Expect this one to be able to carry the distance.
Selections: 2 – 8 – 6 – 7
Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots Picks – Race 8
Post Time: 4:15 PM CT; Allowance $59k; 1 1/16 M Turf; Field of 16 runners.

Best Bet of the Card
- #4 TOUGH LITTLE NUT (4-1): Best bet of the card. Stamina to outlast the competition. Proven competitor at this configuration. Bet today’s best bet with industry-leading rebates on BetOnline.
- #7 AMERICAN HOPE (5-1): Fringe Contender. Demonstrated success under similar conditions. Should take a liking to the race shape.
- #2 CARTHAGE CAJUN (20-1): Worth a look. Previous success in similar race types. Should find today’s group a bit softer than the last race.
- #11 WRITE OFF JERRY (6-1): Fringe Contender. Can compete from a speed figure standpoint.
Selections: 4 – 7 – 2 – 11
Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots Picks – Race 9
Post Time: 4:45 PM CT; Maiden Special Weight $58k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 12 runners.
- #6 CALL ME SUSAN (7-2): Top pick. Shouldn’t have trouble getting the distance. Should be able to work out a trip.
- #10 SHE’S A BANDIT (4-1): Major Player. Likely to get forward position.
- #8 PLATINUM MIDNIGHT (12-1): Major Player. Potential to have this pace fall just right. The 70 speed rating is among the best in the field.
- #4 CLASSIC EMBRACE (12-1): Fringe Contender. May be getting a weaker field than last out. Shouldn’t be disadvantaged by the flow of the race.
Selections: 6 – 10 – 8 – 4
Betting News Horse Racing Coverage
Don’t miss all the horse racing action covered by Betting News each and every week. Coverage includes free handicapping tools, comprehensive guides, and in-depth analysis of the week’s biggest cards. Check out our full card analysis for this week’s upcoming big races:
Friday
- Fair Grounds picks featuring opening day action and a pair of stakes races
Saturday
- Churchill Downs picks featuring the Grade 3 Commonwealth Turf Stakes
- Del Mar picks featuring the Grade 3 Native Diver Stakes
- Fair Grounds picks featuring four stakes races
Sunday
- Del Mar picks featuring the Grade 3 Red Carpet Stakes