What a wonderful, 12-race card at the Fair Grounds today. Deep and contentious fields throughout, beginning right with the 12:35 opener (Central Time, of course).

Race 1 — Give Silver Sands a long look at a square-price in her second career start, with Le Caire and Olemiss Rebel underneath.
Race 2 — Cush finds a soft spot following a brief freshening.
Race 3 — Head outside to a pair of firsters: Louisiana Lightnin and Bam Bam Mathewson.
Race 4 — Think Mystic Soul has a chance to rebound at a nice price, although the outside pair of Final Refrain and Jacaranda Jane should also figure tough at shorter odds.
Race 5 — In the Duncan Kenner, Les Grand Trois may be overlooked in the short field.
Race 6 — In the New Orleans Handicap, Grasshopper appears best, with Magna Graduate completing the exotics.
Race 7 — In the Mervin Muniz, Daytona will be tough as the chalk, but Brilliant may pose an upset threat, with Proudinsky and Jazz Quest also in the mix.
Race 8 — Compact field in the FG Oaks, but another chance to see the undefeated champ Indian Blessing.
Race 9 — In the La Derby, Pyro will win again if able to replicate his last, and the biggest threat could come from stablemate J Be K trying to wire the group. Interested to watch both Tale of Ekati and Majestic Warrior in their seasonal debuts.
Race 10 — Jazzy has proven capable in the past, but will she be primed off this October layoff?
Race 11 — Tough race with no strong opinions.
Race 12 — Give the edge to Fort Apache in the nightcap.