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.




Saturday, April 20, 2013

Race 1: DREAMY DIVA (1) exits a rough trip in her latest against maiden allowance foes.  Mare can be tough on or near the lead for a 20% trainer.  SCEALEILE went to the lead going long on the grass for her first start off the claim.  She should like the turn back in distance for her second start off the layoff.  PISTOLERA (7) improved slightly in her second career outing.  She returns fresh with steady works to be ready if she likes the poly.

1-2-7

 

Race 2:  STRIKE THE TIGER (6) could strike them down late in the stretch on the class drop.  He has several moderate works posted since his latest and gets the hot rider Rosario aboard.  FLEURDEFORTYFOUR (9) should like the turn back in distance and gets some class relief.  ST. ARMANDS (7) leads into the race in top form to be a player if he’s not hung wide again.

6-9-7

 

Race 3:  MISS CLARK COUNTY (10) runs better in sprint races to be tough going short if she’s ready for her first start this year.  MISS SWEET AFLEET (5) won by several lengths from off the pace when she broke her maiden at the distance.  She has switched barns twice since then to figure in this spot for new connections against lower price claimers.  SUNRISE RIDGE (4) should be tough to catch from the gate and she gets away from rail, which has been a rough spot to be lately at Keeneland.

10-5-4

 

Race 4:  MILLS (4) just missed on debut going a flat mile at GP.  He should like the longer distance at second asking.  ALI’S FINALE (1) is well bred for marathon distances to consider a contender even on debut from an 18% training stable with first time starters.  TIMELESS INDY (10) was the beaten favorite after showing early speed going one and half furlongs longer than today’s race.

4-1-10

 

Race 5:  GRANDSTAND (4) ran well here earlier this meet and could be tough if he handles the distance.  MYHORSEOFCOURSE (2) was a late running third going 1 ½ miles on the grass, but no wins on the poly so make sure the price is right.  SHERIFF SILVERSTAR (6) won his last start and moves up against allowance company for a hot barn this meet.

4-2-6

 

Race 6:  WHICH MARKET (9) has been sharp at the distance to be more of a threat against similar competition returning fresh with steady works.  GODARD (4) made a big run after an awkward start in his latest at the same class level.  This late runner is a serious threat turning for home with rider Gomez aboard.  SOUTHERN PARKWAY (5) has several thirds from off the pace at the distance.  He makes his third start off the break and jockey Leparoux retains the mount.

9-4-5

 

Race 7:  AWESOME FLOWER (4) should handle the extra half furlong distance after an easy win over the track at 6 ½ furlongs for Ramsey/ Maker connections.  MS HOOCHIE COUCHIE (3) has quick early speed with a better draw than the last two starts to celebrate another victory since she’s been consistent in the money since she broke her maiden.  QUEEN MAMBO (2) has just missed the last two starts against allowance company.  Filly hasn’t been worse than third in all four starts.

4-3-2

 

Race 8:  The Giant’s Causeway Stakes

 

EXTRAVAGANZA (2) goes for three straight victories in three months.  She won her first stakes race, the Happy Ticket Stakes, at the same distance on the turf at FG.  Sharp turf outfit should have her sitting on another game effort third start off the layoff.  SENSIBLE LADY (5) has the best resume with several stakes victories.  She may need a race off a long break for a low percentage trainer (8%) off layoffs.  ROSA ALVAJE (1) should be on or near the lead with the inside post position.  She has a solid record on the grass to be the one to catch.

2-5-1

 

Race 9:  The Grade III Coolmore Lexington Stakes

 

PURE FUN (11) is a grade stakes winner over the poly going the same distance as today’s feature event.  The 3yo filly will face the boys for her second start off the break and should be threat from off the pace with jockey Napravnik in the irons.  SUNBEAN (6) has turned out to be a talented La bred on the dirt.  He faced some of the top 3yos in the country on March 30^th and had a horrific trip.  The colt should relax early and make a big run if he cares for the poly first time.  PICK OF THE LITTER (2) was an impressive winner with a fast pace at GP.  He hopes to rebound off a poor effort in the Florida Derby.

11-6-2

 

Race 10:  CANE GARDEN BAY (8) won easy in his latest against easier competition, but should be able to handle this class jump into an open claiming race if he breaks well.  NEW BELIEVER (2) could move forward with a race over the track and big drop in class.  He has eight wins at Keeneland, but needs to pace to chase.  J B’S UNC (7) comes off a sharp second on March 29^th to pay close attention to at a good price in this race.

8-2-7

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