Katie Mikolay Gensler

Katie Mikolay Gensler's first exposure to racing came at a young age, attending Arlington Park with her family on weekends when she grew up in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. She has been the racing analyst at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots in New Orleans, Louisiana for the last three years. In addition to hosting the daily Churchill Downs Simulcast Network production of live Fair Grounds racing, Mikolay co-hosts the pre-race Fair Grounds Today show. She also contributes to FairGroundsRaceCourse.com as both a handicapper and blogger during the live Thoroughbred meeting and has made special appearances on HRTV and NBC Sports. During the summers, she performs similar duties at Presque Isle Downs in Erie, Pennsylvania for the 100-day race meet for the last five years. As an advocate for fan education, Katie has teamed up with America's Best Racing to teach wagering and produce racing 101 videos to increase horse racing awareness. She has been married to Thoroughbred horse trainer, Hank Gensler, for three years.




Friday, April 26, 2013

Race 1: TRADERS POINT (7) tried to overcome an inside post with a late run and was only beat a one and half-lengths.  Mare should move forward second start with new connections if she likes the poly.  ULTIMATE TEMPER (3) hopefully moves forward with a drop in class for sharp connections.  MISS RELENTLESS (2) ran a disappointing race on debut, but given some time off to prove he has much more to offer as a 3yo.

7-3-2

 

Race 2:  NO NAY NEVER (3) runs for a hot trainer with 2yos winning at a high percentage (20%).  This colt has consistent works, but not fast works to try to beat if odds are too low.  SOLITARY RANGER (6) was second best in a similar race with a good spot to improve today.  MANAUS (8) ran decent on debut to throw into the mix and give us another good showing at second asking.

3-6-8

 

Race 3:  LIVE IN JOY (2) just missed with a troubled trip in a similar spot last February then he flashed early speed to hang on for third in his latest.  He returns fresh to run his best for solid connections.  QUIETDETERMINATION (3) is a solid turf runner that hopes to run better than he has on the poly for his second start with the new stable.  He appears to lead into the race in sharp form and should tough from off the pace.  HAUNTED (5) raced evenly with an outside post for his second start of the year.  He may move forward with a big drop in class.

2-3-5

 

Race 4:  FORECON (7) improved with a quicker pace to chase over the lawn last time out.  GRAND ARCH (4) was tough against allowance last fall.  If he’s ready off the winter break in the same spot then should be player tracking the pace.  PAROLED (12) was a late running fourth in his first off a long layoff and has a chance to improve today.

7-4-12

 

Race 5:  SUMMER BREEZING (3) was an easy winner going 7fs here last spring and hopes to repeat that performance at a shorter distance.  HAMILTONIAN (2) has been consistent for several starts and should be part of the early pace.  GHOST IS CLEAR (8) needs better luck at Keeneland, but closer may get the right scenario to close into for hot connections.

3-2-8

 

Race 6:  MONONO (8) is a stakeswinner that runs well at the distance on the dirt, but exits a sharp turf outfit to suggest she may like the poly today.  BRANDYS SECRET (2) has become a distance specialist going a flat mile and should handle the turn back in distance with early speed.  CREDIT CRUNCH (3) should be dangerous off her latest performance as she steps up in class second start off the break.

8-2-3

 

Race 7:  POLITICAL COURAGE (8) is a sharp closer at the distance and should improve second time over the track for capable connections.  MASTER WESLEY (10) won his last two starts from off the pace and should be a contender down the lane.  BI FLASH (4) appears to be leading into this race in good form and should be on or near the lead from the inside with a new rider aboard.

8-10-4

 

Race 8:  FRIVOLOUS (11) was runner-up on debut when he was hung wide around the far turn.  Filly may have another wide trip from an outermost post in her second career attempt so watch the odds board on this one.  SILVER FRAME (7) ran well going short in the past and barn adds LASIX for her third time out.  SOUL OF COMETE (3) seems to be training well since her first career outing to offer more this time around with Napravnik aboard. 

11-7-3

 

Race 9:  The Grade II Elkhorn Stakes

AL KHALI (11) is a talented runner on the grass in graded stakes races that was the beaten favorite against open allowance company last time.  He hopes to recover from that performance and prove he belongs against this bunch, however, tread lightly since he’s never won at the distance.  IOYA BIGTIME (8) is a strong frontrunner with a solid record at the distance to consider a major player from the gate.  SKY BLAZER (1) beat top pick last time out to make him a contender, but he’s never made a mark against graded stakes company in the past.

11-8-1

 

Race 10:  PEGASUS FLYER (7) will turn back in distance and drops in class to break his maiden today.  MUGGSY (9) returns off a long break with blinkers hoping to perform better as a 3yo with some class relief.  AJI (1) needs to overcome the inside draw from off the pace, but should improve second time over the track.

7-9-1

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