Eight to Contend in Tenacious Handicap

Grand Contender is the main contender on Saturday at Fair Grounds in the running of the $75,000 Tenacious Handicap for three-year-olds and up going 1 1/16 miles on the dirt. At 5-2, Grand Contender heads a solid field of eight. Although this will be only his second stakes try, Grand Contender comes into this off a win in the Delta Mile Stakes, his third trip to the winner’s circle in a row, after starting the season with a third in an AOC event at Prairie Meadows. Second-place finisher in the Delta, Agent Di Nozzo is second choice here at 3-1.

Agent Di Nozzo has four wins in eight

A four-year-old gelding, Agent Di Nozzo has won half of his eight starts this year, including two minor stakes scores, and has been second twice, although he hasn’t found the winner’s circle since July. He was fifth as the favorite in the Grade III Washington Park Handicap at Arlington three starts back. Five-year-old Prayer for Relief will carry high weight of 120 pounds, and is the third choice at 7-2. Although well beaten last out in the Grade I Clark Handicap at Churchill, he does have a Grade III win and a par of runner-up finishes on the year.

Upset shot looking for fourth straight as well

Of the others that might be in with a chance, Hip Four Sixtynine (8-1) has won three straight, and although two of those were at the allowance level, last time out he won the Sam’s Town Stakes, coming four wide and then pulling away to score by a comfortable 3 1/2, ahead of consistent graded-stakes runner He’s Had Enough. At 6-1, Voodoo Storm is the most experienced runner in the field, and won his first stakes event after 32 starts last month when he won the Mountaineer Mile.