On Saturday, September 24, the Elge Rasberry Stakes and A.L. “Red” Erwin Stakes were dominated by progeny of Half Ours. Half Ours is currently the Leading Sire of Louisiana Breds for 2016. Saturday was the final day of the Louisiana Downs 2016 Thoroughbred meet.

In the Elge Rasberry, My Queen Olivia settled just off the pace in the one mile turf contest then made her move on the outside in the stretch to win by an ever widening two and three quarters lengths and capture the $45,000 winner’s share of the purse for the Pegasus Stables of Patsy and Joe Rink. Bred by Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association President, Warren J. Harang III, My Queen Olivia was purchased by Pegasus at the Breeders Sales Company of Louisiana Annual Yearling Sale for the bargain price of $4,500 and is trained by Pat Mouton. My Queen Olivia is the first stakes winner produced by the Stormy Atlantic dam, Bond Queen, who produced a full brother to the stakes winner in 2016. Second place finisher, Smiley Briley, is also by Half Ours.

The second stakes of the program at Louisiana Downs Saturday was the A.L. “Red” Erwin, named after the first president of the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association. Roy Investments’ Rock N Sake got off a bit slow but quickly joined the early pacesetters and much like the winner of the Elge Rasberry, swung wide in the stretch and was increasing his margin at the finish line. Rock N Sake was purchased at the Equine Sales of Louisiana Yearling Sale for $27,000 from breeders Tom Curtis and Wayne Simpson. He is the second stakes horse produced by the Benchmark dam, Passion For Words. Velton Vidrine trains Rock N Sake, who has now earned $157,975 for his owners.