Majestic Harbor Tops New Orleans 'Cap Field

Gallant Stable's grade I winner Majestic Harbor will go for his second consecutive graded stakes victory of the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots meet in the $400,000 New Orleans Handicap (gr. II) March 26.



A gritty gate-to-wire winner last time out in the Mineshaft (gr. III), the long-winded 8-year-old son of Rockport Harbor should enjoy the extra half-furlong when the bay Paul McGee trainee breaks from post 4 under Corey Lanerie.

ANGST: Majestic Harbor Edges Eagle in Mineshaft



William Farish's homebred Eagle was a head behind Majestic Harbor in the Mineshaft after a stretch-long battle. Trained by Neil Howard, the five-time winner from 11 starts will race beyond 1 1/16 miles for the first time in his career and get a new rider in Javier Castellano for the New Orleans Handicap.



Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey's International Star suffered his first Fair Grounds defeat from five attempts at the New Orleans oval in the Mineshaft and will seek redemption with a new rider in Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez. Trained by Mike Maker, the 2015 Louisiana Derby (gr. II) winner will try to return to the form he showed in the Jan. 16 Louisiana Stakes two starts back, when he defeated Eagle and Majestic Harbor.



Four of the top-five finishers from the Maxxam Gold Cup at Sam Houston Race Park Feb. 27 have turned up for the New Orleans Handicap, including 2015 Super Derby (gr. II) winner Mobile Bay, who was a determined victor in Texas for trainer Victor Arceneaux and owner Tigertail Ranch. Edgar Prado will ride the sizable son of Lone Star Special.



Mark Breen's Maxxam Gold Cup runner-up Jessica's Star overcame multiple complications to return to form off an eight-month layoff at Sam Houston and will try to improve off that effort at Fair Grounds for leading trainer Mike Stidham. Mitchell Murrill rides the 2014 Iowa Derby (gr. III) winner.



Multiple stakes winner Stormdriver, graded stakes winner Coup de Grace, classic-placed Ride On Curlin, allowance victor S'maverlous, and consistent stakes performer Freestyler complete the field.