Fair Grounds has its unofficial kickoff to the Kentucky Derby trail Saturday when the Gun Runner Stakes anchors a program that features eight stakes among a dozen races. First post is set for 1 pm ET / noon local in New Orleans.

Here are my top stakes plays on the card:

Fair Grounds // Race 3 // Blushing K.D. Stakes
#7 Creative Cairo (4-1 ML)
Comments: Zero chance behind a terribly slow pace when fourth in a local allowance prep, I like more aggressive early jockey Florent Geroux taking over here for high-percentage trainer Lindsay Schultz. The pace figures to be quick with Join the Dance, Tasweya and Dana’s Beauty setting the table.

Fair Grounds // Race 7 // Letellier Memorial Stakes
#3 Halina’s Forte (2-1 ML)
Comments: Well-meant debut winner at Churchill was clearly second-best in the Fern Creek last out to Brad Cox’s Youalmosthadme, already a three-time stakes winner. There’s no one of that quality in this spot and the addition of Lasix and trim back slightly to six furlongs makes this one a standout. Single for the multi-race bets.

Fair Grounds // Race 8 // Scherer Memorial Stakes
#6 Private Creed (3-1 ML)
Comments: Classy colt gets the nation’s best turf-sprint jockey aboard in Joel Rosario and that pairing has produced 3 wins, 1 second and 1 third in its last five tandem efforts. Versatile running style will pay dividends in big field where trip matters. Key on top with #8 Minnesota Ready and #10 Evan Sing the underneath runners of most interest.

Fair Grounds // Race 10 // Diliberto Memorial Stakes
#2 Fair Dinkum (12-1 ML)
Comments: Top price play on the card makes his stakes debut at the end of his 5-year-old season and has obviously had physical issues with only 7 career starts. But his last was very good at Churchill behind a dawdling pace, he gets in 6 pounds lighter than the favorites and is drawn exceptionally well after losing ground last time. Meanwhile, top players in this race draw the 12 and 13 holes. The December work tab before shipping is encouraging.

Fair Grounds // Race 11 // Tenacious Stakes
#1 Dash Attack (4-1 ML)
Comments: Never able to get any position from widest post in the Fayette, so draw a line through the last effort in October. Prior races show a horse in strong form – and his December 9 key local workout (third-fastest of 27) indicates he’s holding that form. In a race with a lot of question marks, this one feels most reliable. With likely odds-on favorite Nash looming as a standout in the Race 12 Gun Runner Stakes, make the win bet here and then connect the daily double as there’s minimal value to find in the finale.