Chad Brown Entries Look to Rebound in Louisiana

(March 26, 2022) – When the gate pop open on Saturday’s 10^th race, 9 horses will go 9 furlongs in the 31st annual Muniz Memorial Classic Stakes (G2) at the Fair Grounds. I must say of course, this race is sponsored by our friends at Horse Racing Nation, so be sure to check them out, as Ed DeRosa has the site offering new and exciting content daily!  This race opens a betting pick 3 to include the Fair Grounds Oaks and concluding with the Louisiana Derby.

For me, the pace picture appears interesting, as a few long prices look to set the pace, with the class of the field coming as mid to late runners. It will be worthwhile to pay attention to races 2-4-8 to see the tactics on the turf and to gauge the fairness of the course.

To no bettors surprise a Michael Dubb Madaket LLC. owned horse, #2 Sacred Life (2/1), a Chad Brown entry enters the race as the morning line favorite, looking to rebound off a horrid outing in the Pegasus World Cup Turf Invitational.  Giving horses excuses, this runner was bumped at the start and never seemed to engage the field. Was it a horse coming out of the winter poorly, or just a rough start- either way, you will have to accept a short price to find out.  Florent Geroux gets the call for the first time here, and while he’s had a hot hand of late winning 26%, this race should be a challenge.

Right next to #2 Sacred Life is another Chad Brown entry in #3 Devamani (5/2).  This gelding doesn’t have nearly the recent class experience as the stablemate which is a bit concerning considering last out the horse was wide and looked late to engage the field, missing the board at Tampa Bay.  Chad Brown picked Joel Rosario here, who has ridden this gelding previously last winning in October 2020 in the Knickerbocker Stakes at Belmont.

Leaving the Chad Brown army on the outside another familiar name in Godolphin LLC presents #9 Santin, trained by Brendan Walsh with Tyler Gaffalione aboard.  This 4-year-old colt is lightly raced compared to the others in this field having not starting his career until the fall of last year, which leads me to presume he might have the biggest upside to improve in the 2^nd start off the layoff.  Ran well last out, even though the pace was not as sharp as perhaps Tyler needed that day, being familiar now, I would expect either to be a little closer, or perhaps move earlier than that day.  Either way, as the lone 4-year-old in the race, potential is here and I am guessing with 2 Chad Brown entries, a fair market price will be had.

I want to like #8 Two Emmys (15/1), only because it is an E8 on your Brisnet Program and has shown the ability to finish at this distance.  If this track is playing speed favoring (which I presume) this horse at anything over 10/1 will be a hard look for me.  Wolfe Racing LLC and Hugh H Robertson have done a very good job of placing this gelding in spots to succeed, add in 6:8 in the money finishes; and decent effort in this race last year, has me really thinking hard about a need to lead type that should have a distinct advantage over the rest of the field in the early ½ mile.

#7 Another Mystery (12/1), for Chris Block with Jareth Loveberry aboard looked great last out in Houston, but has yet to impress at FG- inflated Sam Houston speed figures perhaps?

#4 Cavalry Charge(10/1), with Brian Hernandez Jr. for Dallas Stewart, appear to know this horse has to be up front- can this gelding pressure #8 Two Emmys enough to create chaos?

Completing the Muniz Memorial Classic from the inside out:

                Bw And Hts Stables LLC and Jason G Grudz; #1 Peacock Kitten(Magnon, D. 30/1); #5 Forty Under(Murrill, M. 10/1) for Three Diamonds Farm; Lothenbach Stables Inc. #6 Captivating Moon(Alvarado, J. 15/1)

NOTE: If either Brad Cox or Chad Brown win this race, they will become the winningest training of this series with 3 wins! Currently Robert Frankel, William Mott, and Todd Pletcher join them with 2 wins apiece. 

Bryan Doranski is a freelance columnist and active horseplayer, frequently seen in mythical and cash contests. Contact him on Twitter (@BDHorseplayer) for any opportunities regarding writing about horse playing, contests and wagering. Be sure to visit Bryan and the members of On The Wrong Lead (@wrong_lead) live on their weekly show on Thursday nights at 7:30pm CST.