NEW ORLEANS (Friday, March 09, 2012) – Norman Miller III and Norman Miller IV’s Bluehard pressed the pace, took command at the furlong grounds and drew off late to capture Friday’s $41,000 Fair Grounds feature for accredited Louisiana-breds by 2 1/4-lengths.

The allowance and $12,500 optional claiming race for older horses was contested at six furlongs.

Trained by Norman Miller III, Bluehard was ridden by James Graham and returned mutuels of $12.60, $5.40 and $3.80, toured the distance in 1:11.41 and increased his career earnings to $235,314 with his seventh lifetime win in 39 career starts.

Brent Gasaway and Ian Yarnot’s Power Surge, allowed to settle early, launched a belated bid to be clearly second best, paying $3.60 and $3.20 while finishing a length to the good of Leone Racing’s Wish You Gold, who returned $3.40 to show.

Southern Equine Stables’ Dynamic Resource made the pace with splits of 22.10 and 45.70 before weakening after the eighth pole.

Racing resumes Saturday at Fair Grounds with a 10-race program beginning at 12:40 p.m.