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 19, 2013

Race 1: ASHLEY’S POSSE (1) has early speed breaking from the rail that should like the shorter distance for her second start off the break with great form over the TP all-weather track.  LA TORRERA (3) just scored an impressive victory over the Keeneland main track last week and will to repeat against slightly tougher foes.  DIJARVO (5) runs at the lowest level of her career, which seems necessary since she hasn’t won since 2011.

1-3-5

 

Race 2: SMOKININDABOYSROOM (3) drops in class with three good works to suspect facing much easier company for the easy win.  KENNY’S LAKE (5) has been in sharp form in previous starts and should be part of the early pace.  THE SIXTIES (4) should improve second start over the poly with a clean getaway.

3-5-4

 

Race 3:  JUSTICE JUDY (6) nearly broke his maiden in a blanket finish last time.  He returns fresh and training consistently to be ready off the break.  IGOTTHEMONEYHONEY (1) showed a little heart early in the race at first asking going a flat mile.  He should move forward with a big drop in class and hot rider Rosario aboard.  SHE’S A DANCING (2) has been in the money the last four starts and his best effort was going short last time out.

6-1-2

 

Race 4:  CLASS INCLUDED (1) is a multiple stakeswinner on the dirt last year, but new connections tried her on the grass in her most recent start, which she raced evenly throughout the race to improve in today’s grass race against open allowance company.  DISTORTED LEGACY (5) ran well for her first start in almost a year.  She should move forward second start off the layoff and the step down from stakes to allowance company.  NOBLE CHARLOTTE (4) has consistent fast works to suggest she’s ready for her first start in 2013.  She should relax early to make a big run turning for home.

1-5-4

 

Race 5:  HOLLYWOOD TALENT (1) has some quick works for a top-notch trainer with 2yos (19%) for top owners Ken and Sarah Ramsey.  BIG GATOR (12) is bred well for shorter distances and dam has already produced two stakeswinners.  PONTOS (5) is a son of TALE OF THE CAT with a sharp breeze from the gate on April 9^th for a 15% trainer with first time starters. 

1-12-5

 

Race 6:  ELUSIVE FATE (3) could enjoy this sprint distance today for a capable trainer.  She draws a better post position with fast breezes over the local surface to be ready.  BREECH INLET (6) improved in her latest start going short on the grass.  She could continue to move forward in her third career start.  LYRICAL DIVA (7) is a high purchased filly on debut for a 12% trainer in this spot.  She is well-bred with steady works.

3-6-7

 

Race 7:  ANIMAL STYLE (2) won the VanBerg Stakes going short on the grass.  She returns fresh and will be the one to beat for the top trainer/ owners this meet.  RIP ROARIN RITCHIE (9) is a well-traveled filly with 3/5 victories on the grass.  She will be a player on or near the lead.  CHEETAH PANTS (3) is a fast filly that runs well over the dirt, but pedigree suggests she may like the grass to play at a price.

2-9-3

 

Race 8:  TATER DOWNS (4) has been a contender in several types of races including allowance races.  He has a solid record at the distance, but most of his success is over the firmer surface.  RAPACIOUS (11) broke his maiden at the distance and has been the beaten favorite against allowance company on the grass for several starts at GP.  He may get there from off the pace with a clean trip at 6-1.  WINTER’S FURY (6) gets a rider switch for the perfect trip saving ground early after he ended up part of the early pace only to finish second to last.  He won at Keeneland last Fall.

4-11-6

 

Race 9:  The Hillard Lyons DoubleDogDare Stakes

 

MYSTICAL STAR (5) has performed well against graded stakes company in the past.  He should improve off his last effort to be tough sitting anywhere in the field plus he loves this track.  INGLORIOUS (3) hasn’t won since the Queens Plate in 2011, but has several close finishes in graded stakes races for the last seven starts.  Hard-knocking mare has a bullet breeze for a big return to Keeneland.  ICE CREAM SILENCE (2) is a strong competitor at the distance and seemed to handle the poly well here as a maiden three seasons ago. 

5-3-2

 

Race 10:  DISTORTIONIST (3) finished second with a rough trip against maiden claimer for $30k.  Barn steps up him in the tag for his second start over the track.  WAMBRI (11) was the beaten favorite at roughly 2/5 odds for his first start with new connections.  FARMER’S CLUB (10) is a son of SMART STRIKE with solid works to be ready off the break for a hot trainer.

3-11-10

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