They’ll Try to Make Grade in New Orleans

Although Redattore was knocked out of the race because of a fever, California still will be well represented in today’s $650,000 Explosive Bid Handicap at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans.

Century City, Seinne and Requete are the three locals in the race, which is a Grade II at about 1 1/8 miles on turf and the richest grass race run anywhere in the country until the Arlington Million late in the summer.

Owned by Juddmonte Farms and trained by Bobby Frankel, Requete will be making his graded stakes debut in the Explosive Bid after winning his first two races in this country earlier in the year at Santa Anita. The Rainbow Quest colt, ridden by Pat Day, will break from the outside post in the field of 11.

Drawn directly inside Requete are Seinne and Century City. The former, who will be ridden by Calvin Borel, was seventh in the Kilroe Mile on March 1 at Santa Anita. His last graded stakes victory came nearly a year ago when he was 12-1 in the Arcadia Handicap.

Owned by Kitchwa Stables and John and Tom Nichols, Century City was fourth in the Kilroe Mile. His only win in five races in this country came in the Turf Paradise Breeders’ Cup Handicap on Feb. 1.

Jockey Jerry Bailey is riding the likely favorite in the Explosive Bid, which was won a year ago by Sarafan. Rouvres, a winner of five of nine in France, will make his American debut for trainer Christophe Clement.

Race of the day: The fourth at Santa Anita is only a $40,000 maiden claimer for 3-year-old fillies, but it is significant today because it is the first leg of a pick six with a carry-over of $576,330.

Who’s hot: Anthony Dutrow. The Maryland-based trainer has won with 44% of his starters in 2003.

Who’s not: Cindy Noll. The jockey won with only three of her first 64 mounts at Oaklawn Park.

Exotically speaking: A pick three singling Road To Slew in the seventh, using Golden Ticket, Asong For Billy and George Bailey in the eighth and Apple Juice Tea, Shannon Kay, Nlotsabutter and Scusi in the ninth.

Winners: Previous day/meet total: 2/176. Money: Previous day/meet total: $13.20/$992. Total money bet: $1,096.