The racing action from Fair Grounds on Thursday features the Joseph R. Peluso Memorial Stakes. @HandicappingT3 has all the Fair Grounds picks for the entire card!
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Fair Grounds Full Card Analysis
Fair Grounds Picks: Opening Day Card Analysis (11/20/2025)
Fair Grounds Picks – Race 1
Post Time: 12:45 PM CT; Claiming $22k; 5 F Turf; Field of 8 runners.
Best Bet of the Card
- #3 HOFF (8-5): Best bet of the card. Comes in with solid form. Solid closing kick. Bet today’s best bet with industry-leading rebates on BetOnline.
- #5 PRINCE LANCELOT (5-1): Contender. Expected to maintain its energy reserves into the final stretch. Like this one if a stretch duel ensues.
- #4 SAWYER FOX (7-2): Fringe Contender. Could wear these ones down late. This one’s a fighter in the late stages.
- #1 FIT TO FLY (9-2): Fringe Contender. Trainer’s horses have been running. Potential to get the pace of the race flow.
Selections: 3 – 5 – 4 – 1
The Plays
Win: #3 at 1-1
Exacta: 3/5,4
Pick 3 (race 1-3): #3 with #8,10 with #9,11
Fair Grounds Picks – Race 2
Post Time: 1:15 PM CT; Claiming $14k; 1 M 70 Y Dirt; Field of 10 runners.
- #8 CHARBON (5-1): Top pick. Looks good based on the 81 speed rating which is among the top in the group. Strong early pace figs.
- #10 DAN D’ORO (7-2): Major Player. Seems to be up against the right competition.
- #2 STEEL VENOM (3-1): Fringe Contender. Potentially ready to hit a top number. Previous success in similar race types.
- #5 CATHY’S BOY (12-1): Fringe Contender. Trainer’s horses have been running.
Selections: 8 – 10 – 2 – 5
The Plays
Win: #8 at 5-1
Exacta: 8/10,2
Fair Grounds Picks – Race 3
Post Time: 1:45 PM CT; Claiming $15k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 13 runners.
- #9 FLIPPING FISH (10-1): Top pick. Barn has been solid. Stamina to outlast the competition.
- #11 SUPREMELY (3-1): Major Player. Should still be running strong in the closing stages. Demonstrated success under similar conditions.
- #1 BACKFIRE (8-1): Contender. Potential to have this pace fall just right. Barn has been sending out runners.
- #7 LETSHAVEONEMORE (8-1): Fringe Contender. Race conditions fit this one well. Concepcion puts this one in with a chance.
Selections: 9 – 11 – 1 – 7
The Plays
Win: #9 at 5-1
Exacta: 9/11,1
Fair Grounds Picks – Race 4
Post Time: 2:15 PM CT; Starter Optional Claiming $19k; 1 M Turf; Field of 16 runners.
Longshot Play of the Day
- #13 BOITANO (5-1): Longshot play of the day. Proven competitor at this configuration. Barn has been solid. Bet today’s live longshot on MyBookie.
- #10 RED ROAD (9-2): Major Player. Looks to get a bit easier group here. Stamina to be in the mix late.
- #14 Z Z’S PRINCE (10-1): Major Player. Not likely to be short in the stretch. The 88 speed rating is among the best in the field.
- #5 BIG SCULLY (8-5): Contender. Expect this one to be able to carry the distance. Race conditions fit this one well.
Selections: 13 – 10 – 14 – 5
The Plays
Win: #13 at 5-1
Trifecta: 13/10,14/5,10,14
Fair Grounds Picks – Race 5
Post Time: 2:45 PM CT; John Valene Memorial Stakes $100k; 1 M 70 Y Dirt; Field of 6 runners.
- #3 RISING INFLATION (7-5): Top pick. Top connections on the circuit with Castillo and Wong. Proven competitor at this configuration.
- #5 NORAH G (9-5): Major Player. Like this one if a stretch duel ensues.
- #6 HIGHLY WICKED (4-1): Contender. Likely in the mix early. Has experience at this level.
- #4 CLEARLY A TEST (6-1): Contender. Race conditions fit this one well.
Selections: 3 – 5 – 6 – 4
The Plays
Win: #3 at 7-5
Exacta: 3/5,6
Fair Grounds Picks – Race 6
Post Time: 3:15 PM CT; Joseph R. Peluso Memorial Stakes $100k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 8 runners.
- #6 TWO GOOD OLD GUYS (7-2): Top pick. Barn has been solid. Looks good based on the 93 speed rating which is among the top in the group.
- #4 MOR FORCE (6-1): Major Player. Looks to get a bit easier group here. Trainer is having a great meet.
- #7 DYNAMITE TONIGHT (5-2): Contender. Could wear these ones down late.
- #5 OUR MONEYMAN (3-1): Fringe Contender. Shouldn’t be disadvantaged by the flow of the race. Likely to win the battle if challenged in the stretch.
Selections: 6 – 4 – 7 – 5
The Plays
Win: #6 at 7-2
Exacta: 6/4,7
Fair Grounds Picks – Race 7
Post Time: 3:45 PM CT; Maiden Special Weight $54k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 8 runners.
- #7 SISSY SOX (6-1): Top pick. Comes in with solid form. Looks good based on the 73 speed rating which is among the top in the group.
- #5 QUICK KISS (3-1): Major Player. Trainer is having a great meet. Top connections on the circuit with Loveberry and Rivelli.
- #4 COPPER WIND (7-2): Major Player. Pedigree fits in this spot. Should find today’s group a bit softer than the last race.
- #8 OUTRO (7-2): Major Player. Trainer’s horses have been running. Race conditions fit this one well.
Selections: 7 – 5 – 4 – 8
The Plays
Win: #7 at 6-1
Trifecta: 7/5,4/4,5,8
Fair Grounds Picks – Race 8
Post Time: 4:15 PM CT; Allowance $55k; 1 1/16 M Turf; Field of 15 runners.
- #7 BRIT’S WIT (4-1): Top pick. Love the heart this one shows in a fight. Decent form of late.
- #8 AMBITION (9-2): Major Player. May be able to take advantage of the pace. Should still be running strong in the closing stages.
- #10 JURIS DOCTOR (5-1): Contender. May be able find the right setup. Barn has been sending out runners.
- #2 FUNNYFLAME (6-1): Contender. Trainer’s horses have been running. Could be griding down the competition late.
Selections: 7 – 8 – 10 – 2
The Plays
Win: #7 at 4-1
Exacta: 7/8,10
Fair Grounds Picks – Race 9
Post Time: 4:45 PM CT; Maiden Special Weight $54k; 6 F Dirt; Field of 15 runners.
- #4 CHARIOT (10-1): Top pick. Strong early pace figs. Race sets up perfectly.
- #3 GO GET TRAE (20-1): Major Player. Trainer is having a great meet. Good race flow for this runner.
- #2 VON ERICH (10-1): Major Player. Hard to argue with the recent races. Previous success in similar race types.
- #9 DR HINCKLEY (10-1): Major Player. Race conditions fit this one well.
Selections: 4 – 3 – 2 – 9
The Plays
Win: #4 at 5-1
Trifecta: 4/3,2/2,3,9
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