Landed in New Orleans!
The Stidham stable has finished its annual trek to Fair Grounds, in New Orleans. The horses are tucked safely into their homes for the next few months, and everyone in the barn is excited about a meet that promises to be a big one for the stable.
Before we look ahead to the Fair Grounds winter meet, let’s take a look at what some of the stable stars are up to in the next few weeks.
On November 24 at Del Mar, the multi-graded stake winning Synchrony will line up in the GII Seabiscuit Handicap. This grizzled warrior has been in top form all season, and Stidham said he’s in great shape ahead of his next assignment, in California.
The same day at Del Mar, the 2-year-old Elsa is in the GIII Jimmy Durante Stakes. This mile race on the turf looks a perfect spot for this talented Animal Kingdom filly.
And now to Fair Grounds!
The Stidham barn has around 50 horses at the New Orleans track, along with about 40 at Tampa Bay Downs. He’ll also house around 15 horses at the Folsom Training Center – pre-trainers, coming in from a lay-off.
It’s not surprising, then, expectations are high that the barn will replicate the tremendous success enjoyed in years past at the track. Don’t forget, Stidham’s a former champion trainer at Fair Grounds. Will he win it again this winter meet?
“We’re always hopeful,” he said.
On opening weekend, Jockamo’s Song is lined up to run in the Heitai Stakes – a race he finished second in two years ago. What’s more, the red-hot Joe Bravo is once again on first call for the barn this winter. A partnership that proved almost unbeatable last year.
“We’re hopeful of a big winter,” said Stidham. “I’ve got a great team behind me, a great bunch of owners behind me, and a great bunch of horses to go to war with. We’re going to be giving it 110 percent, as well always do, and with a little bit of luck, we should have plenty of days to look forward to in the next few months.”
