A Wednesday card at Fair Grounds does not usually affect horse racing on a national scale, but the upcoming January 11th card at this historic racetrack just may produce a horse capable of doing big things this year against the best of company.
In the eighth race of the day, a one-mile turf allowance optional claiming event, Joyful Victory -- the favorite in the 2011 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) but unraced since finishing last in the Alabama Stakes (gr. I) -- makes her much-anticipated return to the races against six rivals.
A gray daughter of Tapit out of the Wild Again mare Wild Lucy Black, Joyful Victory was grade I-placed as a juvenile and excited racing fans everywhere in early 2011 when she rocketed to victories in the Honeybee Stakes (gr. III) and Fantasy Stakes (gr. II) by a combined 15 3/4 lengths. But she failed to deliver as the 2.30-1 favorite in the Kentucky Oaks, finishing fourth in a non-threatening effort. She then ran second, beaten 4 1/4 lengths, in the Mother Goose Stakes (gr. I) at Belmont before finishing fifth and last in the Alabama Stakes (gr. I), beaten 18 lengths. Apparently, she was not having any soundness issues, but trainer Larry Jones wisely decided to give her a break anyway, and thus off to the sidelines she went.
She returned to the worktab toward the end of November and has been breezing steadily since then. Wednesday's race, however, will mark her first start on turf, which could potentially set her up for defeat if she A; doesn't take to the track, and B; is not in full racing condition off of such a lengthy layoff.
On the other hand, only one of her six rivals have ever won a stakes races, that being Vickies in Town, and she is 12-1 on the morning line. The second choice is Bet On the Blue, but she hasn't won a race since August 2010 and most recently finished third in the Blushing K. D. Handicap here at Fair Grounds.
But quality of competition aside, a victory in this race could open up an entire new set of races in which Joyful Victory could compete. Not only would she be a solid competitor on dirt, but she could also target some of the country's major turf races.
The start of a potentially terrific campaign begins on Wednesday. Post time is 4:13 CT. Don't miss it.
-Keelerman
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