Lookout Stakes
Delta Downs, December 30, 2016
1 Mile, Purse $65,000
for Louisiana-Bred Fillies and Mares, 3YO and Up

ILLUSION ARTIST
Drosselmeyer-Art of Illusion, by Forest Wildcat
Breeder: 4M Ranch
Owner: Steve Landers Racing LLC
Trainer: Brad H. Cox; Jockey: Ashley Broussard

2nd
Strike Pleasure
Tenpins-Begue, by My Friend Max
Breeder: Marc Winston and Jill Winston
Owner: Collinsworth Thoroughbred Racing LLC
Trainer:Henry B. Johnson, Jr.; Jockey: J. Guzman

3rd
Glide Baby Glide
Honor Glide-Lovely Amy, by Mining
Breeder: Rowell Farms, LLC
Owner: Robert Larry Whitaker
Trainer: Patrick Devereux, Jr.; Jockey: D.Saenz

1:40.71, Track fast, Margins: 1 1/2, 2, 3/4

 

BRAD COX-TRAINED FILLY WINS HER FOURTH RACE FROM FIVE CAREER STARTS  

VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs hosted the 11^th running of the $65,000 Lookout Stakes on Friday night and it was the heavy favorite Illussion Artist who came away with the win under jockey Ashley Broussard. The talented young jockey won the same race last year with Oh Baby Oh Baby, which marked her first career win in stakes company.

Illussion Artist was bet down to 1-5 in the wagering and dazzled her fans with an eye-dropping move turning for home in the one-mile test for 3-year-old and older Louisiana-bred fillies and mares. After breaking from the gate in ninth position, Broussard sat patiently aboard her mount until the field of 10 reached the far turn. The early pacesetter Grand Farewell carved out fractional times of 23.19 for the quarter mile, 47.20 for the half, and 1:12.88 for three quarters while the eventual winner raced second last for much of the trip until they reached the homestretch.

At that point Broussard shook the reins and her mount rallied stoutly with a sweeping wide move that put her the lead by the top of the stretch. At the finish line Illussion Artist was 1-1/2 length in front of Strike Pleasure who rallied for second while Glide Baby Glide was another two lengths behind in third.

Illussion Artist covered the distance over a fast track in a time of 1:40.71.

The win by Illussion Artist marked the fourth of her five-race career and it was her first stakes victory. The $39,000 winner’s prize raised her lifetime bankroll up to $135,320.

Bred in the Bayou State by 4 M Ranch, Illussion Artist is a 3-year-old filly by Drosselmeyer, out of the Forest Wildcat mare Art of Illusion. She was purchased as a yearling in 2014 for $80,000.

Illussion Artist paid $2.60 to win, $2.20 to place and $2.10 to show. Strike Pleasure was worth $11.60 to place and $6.40 to show. Glide Baby Glide paid $3 to show.