Louisiana Futurity (filly div)
Fair Grounds, December 31, 2016
6 furlongs, Purse $100,000
for Louisiana-Breds, 2YO fillies

MR. AL’S GAL
Salute The Sarge-Spanish Ice, by Spanish Steps
Breeder: J. Adcock & Neal McFadden
Owner: Rodney Virgadamo & Keith Bonura
Trainer: Justin Jeansonne; Jockey: R.E. Eramia

2nd
Princess Samurai
First Samurai-Interruption, by Conquistador
Breeder: Orange Grove Thoroughbreds, Inc.
Owner: Darlene & Mike Peterson
Trainer: W. Bret Calhoun; Jockey: M. Mena

3rd
Quarter Carat
Tiz Wonderful-Diamondinthestream, by Smart Strike
Breeder: Stacy Moak
Owner: Stacy Moak
Trainer: Albert M. Stall, Jr.; Jockey: F. Geroux

1:10.64, Track: good, Margins: 12 3/4, 3/4, 3/4

Louisiana Futurity (colt & gelding div)
Fair Grounds, December 31, 2016
6 furlongs, Purse $100,000
for Louisiana-Breds, 2YOs

JACK SNIPE’S
Half Ours-Rhodelia, by Silver Deputy
Breeder: Clear Creek Stud LLC
Owner: Jeff Drown & Gary M Scherer
Trainer: Gary M. Scherer; Jockey: D.J. Meche

2nd
Run Away Ralph
Custom For Carlos-Lucky Haley, by Forty Won
Breeder: Trey LaVoice
Owner: Energy Solutions Consultants, LLC
Trainer: Edward J. Johnston; Jockey: R. Alvarado

3rd
Street Honor
Street Boss-Noon Delight, by Broken Vow
Breeder: Darlene & Jeff Wahman
Owner: Norman Stables, LLC
Trainer: Lonnie Briley; Jockey: G. Saez

1:11.68, Track: good, Margins: nk, 2, 1

 

Louisiana-bred juveniles had their last chance at stakes money in 2016 in sex-divided divisions of the Louisiana Futurities over six furlongs on the main track.

In the $100,800 fillies division, Rodney Virgadamo and Keith Bonura’s Mr. Al’s Gal broke sharply and was never headed in a runaway win. Trained by Justin Jeansonne, the daughter of Salute the Sarge was racing beyond five furlongs for the first time, but it mattered little as she quickly assumed command of the early pace under Richard Eramia, turned away an early challenge from longshot Star Guitarist through splits of 21.83 and 45.65, and finished full of run to stop the clock in 1:10.64 with a 12¾-length victory

“She broke really sharp and we tried to relax,” Eramia said. “I didn’t know I was going that quick until after the race, because she didn’t feel like she was going that quick, and at the eighth-pole she took off again. She’s a nice filly and will have some good races later.”

Darlene and Mike Peterson’s Bret Calhoun-trained Princess Samurai settled in mid-pack under Miguel Mena before offering a modest rally to finish second, three-quarters of a length in front of Stacey Moak’s Al Stall Jr.-trained Quarter Carat, who saved ground inside under Florent Geroux but could not match strides late.

Mr. Al’s Gal won for the second time in three career starts, earned $60,480 to boost her career bankroll to $85,280 and returned $15, $7.80 and $5.20. Princess Samurai paid $5.60 and $4.40, and Quarter Carat returned $3.20.

Sharp Henny, Singing a Song, Foxy Miss, Actif Storm, Star Guitarist, Southern Gold and Hot and Ready completed the order of finish.

Two races later in the $100,000 colts and geldings division, Jeff Drown and Gary Scherer’s Jack Snipe’s overcame the widest draw when parlaying a good break into a perfect, pressing trip to score. Ridden by Donnie Meche for trainer Gary Scherer, the 8-5 wagering favorite prompted Tigerstorm through splits of 21.61 and 45.88 before edging clear into the stretch and turning away a challenge from Energy Solutions Consultants’ Eddie Johnston-trained Run Away Ralph and Robby Albarado to score by a neck at the wire in a final time of 1:11.68. It was another two lengths astern to Norman Stables’ Street Honor in third under Gabriel Saez for trainer Lonnie Briley.

“It was an awesome trip,” Meche said. “He’s such a great horse to ride, he does anything you want. We got in the gate and he was just waiting for it to open, so he broke well and that made the trip easy. He saw (Run Away Ralph) on the outside (in the stretch) and was never going to let that horse by.”

The son of Half Ours won for the third time in six career starts and earned $60,000 to increase his lifetime bankroll to $141,800. He returned $5.40, $3 and $2.80, with Run Away Ralph paying $8.80 and $6.20 and Street Honor returning $5.80.

Tigerstorm, Just Due, Charlie Ballado, Set Hut, First After Break, Il Est Vite, Tooth, Run Bayou, Pops Legacy and Armanno completed the running order.