Louisiana Cup Turf Classic
Louisiana Downs, 8-5-17, One mile and one sixteenth, turf
Louisiana Bred 3YO and Upwards, Purse $50,000

BERNIESTRIKE
Wilburn–Unusual Strike, by Unusual Heat
Breeder: James A. Boyd
Owner: James A. Boyd
Trainer: Henry B. Johnson, Jr.
Jockey: Eguard A. Tejera

2nd
Trust Factor
Paddy O’Prado–Mainsail, by Mizzen Mast
Breeder: J. Adcock & Hume Wornall
Owner: Scrivener Stables
Trainer: Michael J. Maker
Jockey: Colby J. Hernandez

3rd
Fort Pulaski
Any Given Saturday–Jazznwithcandy, by Jambalaya Jazz
Breeder: Tigertail Ranch
Owner: Tigertail Ranch
Trainer: Danny Pish
Jockey: Steve J. Bourque

 

The $50,000 Louisiana Turf Cup Classic attracted a solid field including the winner of the $100,000 Louisiana Legends Turf run here on July 17. Berniestrike, bred and owned by James Boyd, scored the upset, under rider Eguard Tejera. 

Trained by H. B. Johnson, the 5-year-old Louisiana-bred had not run since December 16, but gamely wore down his rivals. He won by a neck, crossing the wire of the mile and one-sixteenth turf stakes in 1.41.16. Louisiana Legends Turf winner Trust Factor was second with Colby Hernandez up, followed by Fort Pulaski and Sir Genghis. 

Sent off at 22-1, Berniestrike, who ran third in the 2016 edition of this stakes, paid $46.20 for the victory.