July 17, 2017 

Farmerville Captured the $50,000 Louisiana Legends Starter Stakes

Bossier City, LA – Today’s card at Louisiana Downs featured the $100,000 Louisiana Legends Turf and the $50,000 Louisiana Legends Starter Turf. The two races were originally scheduled at Evangeline Downs, but transferred earlier this month when the Louisiana Racing Commission granted approval.

Rail Skimming Victory for Trust Factor in the $100,000 Louisiana Legends Turf

Trust Factor, a 4-year-old colt owned by Scrivener Stables, captured his first career stakes with a ground saving trip in the $100,000 Louisiana Legends Turf. The son of Paddy O Prado was bred in Louisiana and defeated five rivals in the mile and one-sixteenth turf stakes.

Jockey Colby Hernandez guided Trust Factor to victory, covering the first quarter mile in :23.48 and the half-mile in :47.22. He turned back a solid challenge from Eden Grey’s Kitten.prevailing as the even-money favorite in a final time of 1:41.56.   

Trainer Mike Maker was enjoying the cooler weather in upstate New York preparing his runners for the upcoming Saratoga meet, but certainly enjoyed watching his charge win the first stakes of his career.

“He faced a very competitive field at Arlington and didn’t care for the soft turf,” said Maker. “I am glad that they were able to move the turf races to Louisiana Downs and give him a chance to run in statebred company. He liked the firm turf and Colby gave him a very good ride.”

Eden Grey’s Kitten ran a game second under Roberto Morales.  Trained by Steve Flint, the 5-year-old son of Kitten’s Joy had won two in a row, including the $60,000 Costa Rising at Fair Grounds. Social Misfit, from the barn of Karl Broberg, closed for third, followed by Benwill, Well’s Gold and Impressive Student. 

This was the fifth win from 10 starts for the gray colt, who earned $60,000 this afternoon, boosting his career bankroll to $184,060.  Maker added that one mile might be the optimum distance for Trust Factor, but said that several options are on the table for his next start.

Farmerville Draws Off in the $50,000 Louisiana Legends Starter Stakes

End Zone Athletics’ Farmerville drew clear late to capture the $50,000 Louisiana Legends Starter Stakes.

Trained by Karl Broberg, the 6-year-old son of Richter Scale out of the Gift of Gib mare Very Gifted was making his 28^th career start and picked up his sixth win.

Timothy Thornton was the winning pilot, breaking from the far outside post and angling his mount directly behind pacesetting Flit in Time. He covered the half-mile in 49.13 before taking command at the top of the stretch and drawing off to win by a margin of 1 ¾ lengths. The final time of the 7 ½ furlong race over a firm turf course was 1.30.77.

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“I’ve ridden him several times and know he can be kind of aggressive early,” said Thornton. “Karl took the blinkers off and he ran comfortable fractions today and did it within his means. He’s a nice horse!”

Farmerville, sent off as the second betting choice, returned $6.20, $4.40 and $2.60 across the board. His winner’s share of $30,000 boosted his career earnings to $167,500. Flit in Time with Diego Saenz aboard, held for second with post-time favorite Southern Minister, ridden by Kerwin Clark was third. B Brazin ran fourth followed by Howe Amazing.  

An inquiry was posted when the tightly bunched field of six entered the first turn and Valseunseated rider Alexander Castillo. The stewards review determined that Valse took a bad step, and no action was taken. Both horse and rider were not injured.  Crooked As Can Be, One Survivor and Mitchnjohnny were early scratches.

Louisiana Cup Day News and Notes

The Louisiana Downs racing office is busy this week taking nominations for Louisiana Cup Day on Saturday, August 5. Nominations for the nine stakes will close this Saturday.

Trainer Ron Faucheux won the $100,000 Louisiana Cup Turf Classic last year with Sunbean, the intrepid turf specialist bred and owned by Brittlyn Stable, Inc. The same noted connections will return to Louisiana Downs with Safari Calamari, a 5-year-old mare by Half Ours.

“She ran second to Believe in Bertie (in the $60,000 Red Camelia Stakes) at Fair Grounds,” he said. “This mare is much better on the turf, but we needed to get a race in her. She ran at Louisiana Downs on July 12 over a sloppy track. She lost by a nose; but she ran well.”

Faucheux has two turf stakes in mind for Safari Calamari, the $50,000 Opelousas (one mile) or the $50,000 Louisiana Distaff (One mile and one-sixteenth). The mare has earned $178,780 with six wins from 15 starts.

“We have time to make the decision,” added Faucheux.

Nominations for the Louisiana Cup will close July 22 for the following stakes:

Saturday, August 5                           Louisiana Cup Day               Noms close July 22

$50,000 Louisiana Cup Juvenile                    2 YO LA-Bred                        Six furlongs

$50,000 Louisiana Cup Juvenile Fillies          2 YO Fillies LA-Bred             Six furlongs

$50,000 Louisiana Cup Filly & Mare Sprint  3 YO & Up F&M, LA-Bred  Six furlongs

$50,000 Louisiana Cup Sprint                        3 YO & Up LA-Bred              Six furlongs

$50,000 John Henry                                        3 YO & Up                             1 1/16 miles (T)

$50,000 Opelousas                                          3YO & Up F&M                    1 Mile (T)

$50,000 Louisiana Cup Turf Classic              3 YO & Up LA-Bred              1 1/16 miles (T)

$50,000 Louisiana Distaff                              3 YO & Up F & M LA-Bred  1 1/16 miles (T)

$60,000 Super Derby Prelude                         3 Y0                                        1 1/16 miles (T)

Post Times and Stakes Schedule

Live racing will be conducted Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and Saturday with a 3:15 p.m. (Central) post time through September 27. The 84-day meet will include 14 stakes highlighted by two major events, Louisiana Cup Day on Saturday, August 5 and Super Derby Day on Saturday, September 9.  To see a complete list of the 2017 Thoroughbred stakes schedule, click here. 

About Harrah’s Louisiana Downs

Located near Shreveport in Bossier City, Louisiana, Louisiana Downs opened in 1974 and was purchased by Caesars Entertainment in December, 2002. With annual Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing seasons, the track is committed to presenting the highest quality racing programs paired with its 150,000 square foot entertainment complex offering casino gambling, dining and plasma screen televisions for sports and simulcast racing.

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