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.




Thursday, April 25, 2013

Race 1: PLEASED AS PUNCH (2) jumps up in class after a solid second place effort first time out.  LONESOME TOWN (4) did move forward in his last race, but with a slow pace.  If he’s ready off the layoff then he will be a major player.  SHAME ON YOU (1) ran well across the pond going short, but bred for longer distances and barn adds LASIX.

2-4-1

 

Race 2:  MAJESTIC BAY (9) exits a bad break and wide trip first time going long on the turf.  Hopefully his decent form will transfer back to the poly with a clean break.  AMAZING KITTEN (11) showed early speed in his latest at second asking and should improve stepping down in class.  BOLT ACTION (7) liked the blinkers added in his latest performance to be a player if he can handle the all-weather surface.

9-11-7

 

Race 3:  SLY WARRIOR (5) has been a sharp sprinter that is versatile in his running style for leading connections.  JUDY THE BEAUTY (1A) was a promising 3yo that has not finished worse than second in her entire career.  She has fast works to ready stalking the pace from the outside.  CHEERLEADER (2) may prefer longer distances, but she was impressive late runner when she broke her maiden to fit well in this spot today.

5-1A-2

 

Race 4:  MARIA MARIA (3) is a daughter of CURLIN with decent works and barn excels with first time starters at 31%.  HADARRA (2) has two sharp breezes over the main track in the last month to be considered a contender first time out.  DEL MAR HOLIDAY (9) runs for a competitive barn with 2yos and the dam was a stakeswinner.

3-2-9

 

Race 5:  EXOTIC MISCHIEF (11) ran well at this level last time when she finished second behind a repeat winner, PERFECT PRAISE.  SENSE OF A WOMAN (10) raced third in quick pace going a flat mile.  She runs for a competitive trainer, and broke her maiden on the synthetics.  FLY GAL (8) won impressively from off the pace in a large field on debut.  She was facing slightly tougher with an outside draw in her latest.

11-10-8

 

Race 6:  NORTH BY NORTHLITE (8) should be forwardly placed from the gate for her second start off a break.  She set a moderate early pace, but ended up wide turning for home to finish second by a neck.  She should be dangerous in a slightly easier spot.  PRISSY (6) succeeded as the favorite to break her maiden at second asking, but that race was over ten months ago.  She has consistent works to be ready off the layoff.  CRY WAR EAGLE (1) gets a rider switch to help his chances competing third start off the break and would benefit from a slow to moderate pace.

8-6-1

 

Race 7:  WIND OF BOSPHORUS (9) just missed as the pacesetter going a flat mile and should like the turn back in distance.  TAKAJO (10) returns fresh and more mature for his second career start to offer a lot more against maiden allowance foes.  SEVENOAKS (4) has fast works and runs with blinkers on.

9-10-4

 

Race 8:  The Grade III Bewitch Stakes

 

REGALO MIA (9) goes for three in row plus she just won at the distance in a grade III event on the turf at GP.   ANGEGREEN (12) is a late runner that was beat by top pick, but leads into the race in top form to belong in this spot.  GATHERING (5) is very well bred on the grass and it showed when she won easy for her first in the states for a solid turf outfit.

9-12-5

 

Race 9:  BASHFUL BANDIT (1) should be dangerous in this spot if he likes the poly as much as the turf.  He has tactical speed, and is part of a solid entry.  APOLLO SKY (3) posted a fast breeze on the local surface to be ready off a minor layoff.  RESPONSIVE EYE (5) won at the distance two starts back and appears well spotted today.

1-3-5

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