Race Recaps Core Beliefs Returns Victorious in New Orleans March 23, 2019 Race Recaps Core Beliefs Returns Victorious in New Orleans March 23, 2019 By: Curtis "Magic" Kalleward twitteremail Share: share on facebook share on twitter share on linkedin email this article NEW ORLEANS, LA – Absent from racing for six months, Gary Broad’s Core Beliefs made a victorious return on Saturday, taking over at the top of the stretch before repelling Silver Dust late to win the New Orleans Handicap (G2) at Fair Grounds. Breaking well from the far outside 11 post under Florent Geroux at 9/1, Core Beliefs initially raced four-wide as he passed the judges for the first time before sliding over to run two-wide alongside Bandua in third. Up front, last year’s Louisiana Derby (G2) winner Noble Indy led Mr. Buff through opening fractions of :23.56, :47.26, and 1:12.15. Advancing through the far turn to run three-wide alongside the early pacesetters, Core Beliefs emerged onto the top of the stretch with a slight lead, but Silver Dust was rallying strongly alongside the outside, ready for battle. The two dug in and fought gamely until mid stretch when Geroux corrected a slightly-wandering Core Beliefs, and the race was over from there. Inching clear late, the Peter Eurton trainee crossed with a 3/4-length advantage in a final time of 1:51.36 for the 1 1/8-mile event over the fast main track. “I had horse, I was just hoping he’d keep his focus,” Geroux said. “That was my only concern, not whether we had enough horse, but keeping him busy and keeping him focused to the wire. He was trying to wander around and I just needed to keep him occupied.” Credit: Hodges Photography / Amanda Hodges Weir Silver Dust was unable to repeat the success he experienced here last out in the Mineshaft Handicap (G3) and almost lost second before withstanding a late charge from Lone Sailor down the middle of the track. Bandua flattened out in the stretch to take fourth, while the 2/1 favorite Copper Bullet never factored into the serious running and finished fifth. Noble Indy weakened to sixth ahead of Souper Tapit, with Krewe Chief and a spent Mr. Buff completing the order of finish. Mo Dont No and Noble Commander were scratched. Core Beliefs’ win was his first since taking the Ohio Derby (G3) by a nostril over Lone Sailor on June 23 and improved his overall record to 9-3-1-3. The 4-year-old son of Quality Road, purchased for $350,000 as a juvenile, has now earned $872,660 in his career. “He loves the outside so much,” Eurton said. “We saw that in the Ohio Derby. He gets a little bogged down when he gets stuck on the rail.” Core Beliefs returned $20.20 to win, $9.40 to place, and $6 to show. Silver Dust brought back $7.80 to place and $4.80 to show, while Lone Sailor paid $3.60 to show.
Kentucky Derby 2025 Prep Picks: Florida Derby & Arkansas Derby | Blinkers Off 712 The Racing Dudes preview the two major 2025 Kentucky Derby… Read More
Florida Derby, Arkansas Derby, and Sweet 16 PICKS | Dudes Who Bet Sports 232 Aaron and Papa Dude give their picks for the Arkansas… Read More
Louisiana Derby 2025 Preview and Saturday Rapid-Fire Picks | Blinkers Off 711 The Racing Dudes preview and give picks for the $1… Read More
Fair Grounds Preview & FREE Pick 5 Bets | The Magic Mike Show 584 The Magic Mike Show guys preview Fair Grounds Race Course… Read More
March Madness BRACKET Reaction & PICKS | Dudes Who Bet Sports 231 Aaron and Papa Dude react to the NCAA men’s basketball… Read More
Wood Memorial Picks and Preview 2025 | Kentucky Derby Prep Race Aaron previews the 2025 Wood Memorial at Aqueduct & gives… Read More
Kentucky Derby 2025 Latest News & Top 5 | Major Contenders Rising to the Top Aaron recaps all the action from last weekend, including the… Read More
Get Florida Derby & Arkansas Derby Picks in Betting Bible Get the 2025 Florida Derby Betting Bible, featuring the EXACT race-by-race wagering plans… Read More
Florida Derby Picks and Preview 2025 | Kentucky Derby Prep Race Aaron previews the 2025 Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park &… Read More
Arkansas Derby Picks and Preview 2025 | Kentucky Derby Prep Race Aaron previews the 2025 Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn Park &… Read More