VICAR’S IN TROUBLE ‘EASY’ IN BIG EASY

   Ken and Sarah Ramsey already have GIII Spiral S. winner We Miss Artie (Artie Schiller) headed towards the GI Kentucky Derby, and the duo will have at least one other entrant on the first Saturday after Louisiana-bred Vicar’s in Trouble (Into Mischief) atoned for his third-place effort behind Intense Holiday (Harlan’s Holiday) in the GII Risen Star S. Feb. 22 with a convincing defeat of that rival in Saturday’s 
GII Louisiana Derby at the Fair Grounds. Commanding Curve (Master Command), who was pinched back at the start, rallied nicely late to be third. “
   You know he is a tiny horse but he’s got a great big heart,” winning jockey Rosie Napravnik enthused. 
   Vicar’s in Trouble debuted with a solid third-place effort sprinting over the Keeneland Polytrack Oct. 11, but made a huge splash when dipped into Louisiana-bred company at this track Dec. 14, overwhelming that group by 13 lengths over six furlongs. The dark bay stretched out to two turns for the GIII Lecomte S. going an extended mile Jan. 18, took a bunch of late action into 17-10 second favoritism at the off and raced away down the stretch to best Albano (Istan) by 6 3/4 lengths. Vicar’s in Trouble had the misfortune of drawing the 13 hole in a field of 14 for the GII Risen Star S. Feb. 22 and found himself further off the pace than he’d been in his previous three races. He was forced to race wide on both turns, but nevertheless challenged at the eighth pole before weakening into third, beaten 5 1/2 lengths by Intense Holiday and Albano (Istan). 
Saturday, Fair Grounds 
LOUISIANA DERBY-GII, $1,000,000, FGX, 3-29, 3yo, 
1 1/8m, 1:50 3/5, ft. 
1–VICAR’S IN TROUBLE, 122, c, 3, by Into Mischief 
     1st Dam: Vibrant, by Vicar 
     2nd Dam: Ms Paragon, by Tank’s Prospect 
     3rd Dam: Jabot, by Bold Ruler 
($8,000 yrl ’12 ESLSEP; $80,000 2yo ‘13 FTMMAY). 
O-Kenneth & Sarah Ramsey; B-Spendthrift Farm LLC 
(LA); T-Michael J Maker; J-Rosie Napravnik. 
$600,000. Lifetime Record: 5-3-0-2, $788,900. Click 
for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Werk Nick 
Rating: A++auction purchase • www.EQB.com 
2–Intense Holiday, 122, c, 3, Harlan’s Holiday– 
Intensify, by Unbridled’s Song. ($380,000 yrl ’12 
KEESEP). O-Starlight Racing; B-Machmer Hall & 
Haymarket Farm (KY); T-Todd A Pletcher. $200,000. 
3–Commanding Curve, 122, r, 3, Master Command– 
Mother, by Lion Hearted. ($60,000 yrl ’12 FTKOCT; 
$75,000 2yo ‘13 OBSAPR). O-West Point 
Thoroughbreds; B-T F VanMeter (KY); T-Dallas 
Stewart. $100,000.