Daily Racing Form handicappers David Aragona and Mike Beer analyze an allowance/ optional-claiming race at Fair Grounds in New Orleans.
On Thursday, Daily Racing Form’s Race of the Day features race 9 at Fair Grounds – seven horses going 1 1/16 miles on dirt in a $56,000 allowance/optional claimer. Post time is 4:45 p.m. Central. Aragona and Beer agree this is a tough spot for the level, and both land on the same horse to win.
The Pick
No. 3 Money Game is undefeated in two starts but hasn’t raced since May 2025 – a layoff of more than 10 months. Aragona says that would normally give him pause, but trainer Brad Cox has exceptional numbers returning horses off long layoffs in dirt routes. Money Game’s two prior races showed genuine talent. His debut was an eye-catching run from last to first, and the runner-up that day, Super Cruise, has since topped out at a 95 Beyer in stakes company. In his second start, Money Game won while still playing around near the wire, sticking his ears up before being reminded to finish – and responded well. Aragona also watched a February workout at Payson Park where Money Game galloped out alongside Dragoon Guard, a quality stakes horse for Cox, and held his own. Beer says this horse has a chance to be really good.
The Rest of the Field
No. 1 Tarantino is the class of the field – an 8-year-old gelding who has run in numerous graded stakes races. He got some class relief last time and ran well for third, dueling through fast fractions of 22.63 and 45.49 with Bedard before holding on. Aragona notes Tarantino is drawn inside No. 5 Bedard this time, reversing their positions from last out, and he thinks Tarantino could find himself on the lead by default. Beer says he’ll likely be the best price of the logical contenders.
No. 4 Orizzonte makes the switch from turf to dirt. Aragona noted trainer Paul McGee has strong numbers going turf to dirt, and Beer pointed to Orizzonte’s win last May as a convincing effort.
No. 2 Attache stretches out to two turns for the first time in 26 career starts. Aragona notes trainer Mike Maker has had success with this move on dirt, though Attache will need to improve on recent sprint form. No. 6 Energize gets back on Lasix after two disappointing stakes efforts, but Beer said he was awful last time and doesn’t like his prior form enough to support him. No. 7 Brite Outlook has form from Delta Downs and Evangeline Downs that Aragona says doesn’t stack up against Fair Grounds company.
The Handicappers’ Verdict
Aragona and Beer agree on Money Game to win. Here are their complete sets of picks:
David Aragona
- Money Game
- Tarantino
- Orizzonte
- Energize
Mike Beer
- Money Game
- Orizzonte
- Tarantino
- Bedard
- Listen for more insights, as David and Mike break down this race:
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