Chocolate Ride Looks for a Repeat in $125,000 Fair Grounds Handicap

Chocolate Ride headlines the competitive field as the morning line favorite at odds of 7-5 for trainer Brad Cox. A six-year-old son of Candy Ride (ARG), the bay gelding has been on the board in ten of his fifteen starts and is a six-time winner. A multiple graded stakes winner, he won the 2015 edition of the Fair Grounds Handicap (G3) and is coming into this year’s race off of two consecutive victories.  Florent Geroux will be in the irons and they will break from post position six.

Roman Approval looking for breakthrough win

Second choice at morning line odds of 4-1 is Roman Approval for trainer Michael Maker. A five-year-old son of Roman Ruler, he is a seven-time winner and will be trying to earn his first graded stakes victory. He made his first start of the year at Fair Grounds in January and was second in the Colonel E.R. Bradley Handicap behind Chocolate Ride. Javier Castellano will be aboard from post position three.

Consistent Departing always a factor

Also in the field at morning line odds of 9-2 is Departing for trainer Al Stall, Jr. A six-year-old son of War Front, the bay gelding is an eight-time winner and has been competitive on dirt, turf and synthetics over the course of his career. He was last seen finishing second in the Fifth Season Stakes at Oaklawn Park. John Velazquez will be aboard and they are scheduled to break from post position seven.