The Stidham stable is on the cusp of a potentially big weekend, spearheaded by Maycocks Bay's bid for GII glory in the New Orleans Classic Stakes at Fair Grounds tomorrow.
Ten go to post in the $500,000 race, run over 1 and 1/8th miles. Maycocks Bay (pictured) is drawn 4, and enjoys the services of Ben Curtis in the saddle.
This talented homebred stormed back to action after an extended break with a decisivie win last December. He ran a barnstormer last time out in the GIII Minshaft to finish third, behind Hall of Fame, who reopposes. Maycocks Bay is a 12-1 shot on the Morning Line.
The barn is double-handed in the $150,000 Tom Benson Memorial Stakes, a turf race over 1 and 1/16th miles.
Tufani is the shorter priced of the two, with Curtis up. This gorgeous 5--year-old mare is a multiple stakes winner already, and her outing last month in the Albert M. Stall Memorial Stakes will have sharpened her up nicely for this.
With Jose Ortiz on board, Distorted d'Oro is seeking her first stakes victory. But she's in excellent form at present, as her win last time out over course and distance attests.
And she more than deserves a shot in a race like this.
And now for the rest of the weekend entries:
Saturday
Fair Grounds
Love Song - Race 1, Maiden Special Weight
Record Time - Race 4, Allowance Optional Claiming $50,000
Sunday
Fair Grounds
Conch Fried Rice - Race 5, Maiden Special Weight
Oaklawn Park
Appeal Factor - Race 8, Allowance Optional Claiming $62,500