The Black Gold Stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course is set to be an exciting race with a purse of $100,000. This one and one-sixteenth mile turf race for three-year-olds features a competitive field of eight horses. Here’s a detailed analysis and preview of the horses, jockeys, trainers, and pedigrees:
1. Emergence (KY)
- Jockey: Marcelino Pedroza, Jr.
- Trainer: Brad H. Cox
- Owner: Qatar Racing LLC (Sheikh Fahd Al Thani), CHC Inc. (Kit Ng), and Trilogy USA
- Breeder: Summer Wind Equine LLC
- Pedigree: Uncle Mo – Belle Watling, by Pulpit
- Analysis: Emergence has shown promise in his previous races and has a solid pedigree. He could be a strong contender if he handles the turf well.
2. Golden Afternoon (KY)
- Jockey: Axel Concepcion
- Trainer: Nick Vaccarezza
- Owner: Eddie Greco, Pat Greco, Scott Jaffe, Michael P. Cloonan, and Vaccarezza Racing LLC (Carlo Vaccarezza)
- Breeder: Alexander-Groves Thoroughbreds
- Pedigree: Goldencents – Afternoon, by Street Cry (IRE)
- Analysis: Golden Afternoon has been brilliant in his grass starts, winning two and finishing second in the Bourbon (G2). He is one of the top contenders in this race.
3. Trevaggio (KY)
- Jockey: James Graham
- Trainer: Danny Pish
- Owner: Duffy’s Racing Stable, LLC (Ryan Duffy), Heider Racing Stables LLC (Norbert A. Heider), and Childers Premier Horses LLC (James Childers)
- Breeder: Sun Valley Farm
- Pedigree: Caravaggio – Irish Teardrop (GB), by Fastnet Rock (AUS)
- Analysis: Trevaggio is a long shot in this field and will need to improve significantly to be a contender. This will be his first start since being reported as a gelding.
4. Tom’s Magic (ON)
- Jockey: Jeiron Barbosa
- Trainer: Michael Stidham
- Owner: CJ Thoroughbreds (Corey S. Johnson) and Mo Speed Racing (Scott Mawaka)
- Breeder: Sean Fitzhenry & Dorothy Fitzhenry
- Pedigree: Justify – Dixie Chicken, by Rahy
- Analysis: Tom’s Magic has shown potential in his previous races and has a solid pedigree. He could be a sleeper in this field if he performs well on the turf.
5. Lucky Mischief (KY)
- Jockey: Edgar Morales
- Trainer: Dallas Stewart
- Owner: On Our Own Stable, LLC (David Berman, et al.), WinStar Farm, LLC (Kenny Troutt), Gervais Racing, LLC (Lori Gervais), and Dallas Stewart
- Breeder: On Our Own Stable, LLC & Winstar Farm, LLC
- Pedigree: Yoshida (JPN) – She’s Mischief, by Into Mischief
- Analysis: Lucky Mischief has struggled in his previous races and is a long shot in this field. He will need to improve significantly to be a contender.
6. Chasing Liberty (KY)
- Jockey: Florent Geroux
- Trainer: Rob Atras
- Owner: Twin Creeks Racing Stables, LLC (Randy Gullatt)
- Breeder: Twin Creeks Farm
- Pedigree: Constitution – Peaceful, by Declaration of War
- Analysis: Chasing Liberty is the morning line favorite and has shown strong performances in his previous races, including a dominant win in the Texas Turf Mile. He is a top contender in this race2.
7. Without Caution (KY)
- Jockey: Jareth Loveberry
- Trainer: Cherie DeVaux
- Owner: John D. Gunther
- Breeder: John D. Gunther
- Pedigree: Without Parole (GB) – Mama Tembu, by Street Cry (IRE)
- Analysis: Without Caution is set to make his three-year-old debut in the Black Gold. He will wear blinkers for the first time and has shown potential in his previous races.
8. Curahee (KY)
- Jockey: Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.
- Trainer: Brittany T. Russell
- Owner: DARRS, Inc. (David A. Ross)
- Breeder: Lothenbach Stables Inc
- Pedigree: War of Will – Blameitonthemusic, by Blame
- Analysis: Curahee has shown promise in his previous races and has a solid pedigree. He could be a strong contender if he handles the turf well.
