Bossier City, LA –The final two stakes of the Thoroughbred racing season at Louisiana Downs, the $75,000 Elge Rasberry and the $75,000 A. L. (Red) Erwin, will be run on Saturday, September 23. Both stakes are written for 3-year-old graduates of the Louisiana-bred Sale and will be run at the distance of one mile on the Franks Turf Course.

 

Bermuda Star Leads the Field in the $75,000 Elge Rasberry

The 23rd running of the $75,000 Elge Rasberry drew a field of 12 fillies. Bermuda Star, owned by Brittlyn Stable, Inc., is the 6-5 morning line favorite. Trained by Victor Arceneaux, she has won three of her six starts this year, most notably the Equine Sales Oaks on May 5 at Evangeline Downs. Sired by Star Guitar, the gray filly will be ridden by Diego Saenz, who piloted three stakes winners on Super Derby Day.

“She’s only run once on the turf, but won the race easily,” said Arceneaux. “Diego didn’t even push her.”

Chases Dixie Belle, winner of the 2016 Louisiana Cup Juvenile Fillies for owner Bobby Salome, is also entered. The daughter of My Pal Charlie prepped for this stakes in an allowance on September 11. Trainer Charles Hukill will give a leg up to jockey Aubrie Green.  She will break from post position six as the 4-1 second choice.

Louisiana Downs leading trainer Joey Foster will saddle Big Game Baby, a Gold Tribute filly who has two wins this meet. Owned by Eat My Dust LLC, Big Game Baby ran fifth in the Opelousas Stakes on Louisiana Cup Day. Gerardo Mora, the meet’s top jockey, has the call.

The Elge Rasberry will run as race 5, The field, in post position order, with riders, from the rail is:

Swifty Cat, Emanuel Nieves; Bless d’Cat, Williams Naupac; Tinkerbella, Tim Thornton; Sabe Marcelete, Kevin Smith; Our Sweet Syndi, Gerard Melancon; Chases Dixie Belle, Aubrie Green; Debbyz Wingz, Jose Guerrero; Casual Cool, Jansen Melancon; Blessed Song, Alfredo Contreras; Bermuda Star, Diego Saenz and Big Game Baby, Gerardo Mora.

 

Magic Vow Gives Turf Another Try in the $75,000 A. L. (Red) Erwin

Colts and geldings will compete in the second feature of the afternoon, the $75,000 A. L. (Red) Erwin.

Trainer Allen Landry conditions Magic Vow, the high-earner in the 12-horse field. The son of Private Vow out of the Broad Brush mare Whitewashed has earned $206,500 for Brittlyn Stable, Inc. This will be the second turf start for the bay gelding, who ran a game third to Super Derby champion Mr. Misunderstood in the August 5 Super Derby Prelude.

“There’s no shame in running third to a horse who is undefeated on the turf,” said Landry. “Boo Boo” (jockey Kerwin Clark) said he ran a little green the first time on the grass, but thinks he will improve on Saturday. He fits him well.”

Landry ran second in last year’s edition of the stakes with He’s a Lady Tamer, who left the gates at odds of 26-1 with jockey Steve Bourque in the irons.

Fee Do brings a three-race win streak into this one-mile turf stakes. Owned by Keith Plaisance, the gelded son of Forefathers has risen up the ranks from claiming to the allowance level nicely for trainer Edwin J. Johnston. The second choice in the morning line, at 7-2, will break from post position 11 in his stakes debut with jockey Emanuel Nieves aboard.

Southern Legacy Thoroughbreds LLC’s homebred Culp’s Hill will make his stakes debut for Joey Foster. The son of Eddington has won three races this meet, and prepped for this with a gate-to-wire turf allowance victory on August 23. Rider Tim Thornton has the call.

“He may be in a little deep, but gives a solid effort every time he runs,” said Foster.

The field for the A. L. (Red) Erwin, from the rail is: Magic Vow, Kerwin Clark; Tigerstorm, Alexander Castillo; Culp’s Hill, Tim Thornton; Paddy O’Lionel, Gerardo Mora; Fireblaster, Diego Saenz; Im a Cowboy Too, Arturo Aparicio; Score’s Choice, Aubrie Green; Jack Snipe’s, Denny Velazquez; Calmack, Jarred Journet; Impressive Student, Gerard Melancon; Fee Do, Emanuel Nieves and Drewmisterio, Roberto Morales.

 

Louisiana Downs Trainer and Jockey Standings

Through September 18, last year’s leading trainer Joey Foster continues to hold a commanding lead over his fellow conditioners with 62 wins. H. B. Johnson is second with 26 wins to date and Ronnie Ward is in sole possession of third place with 18 wins. Sarah Delany follows in fourth; she has each saddled 15 winners.

Gerardo Mora has taken the lead in the jockey standings with 71 wins. Aubrie Green continues her strong showing and has moved into second place with 60 trips to the winner’s circle. Richard Eramia, who was on top for much of the season before he departed to ride at Remington Park, is third with 59 victories.  Jose Guerrero rounds out the top four with 51 wins.

The very tight battle for leading owner honors continues with Jorge Gomez on top with 11 wins. Red Rose Racing follows closely with ten wins and Patti Turner, Beverly Burress, Jamie C.  Pastor and Anthony Faulk have each won nine races each in the 2017 Thoroughbred meet.

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.

For further information, please contact:

Trent McIntosh  |  Assistant General Manager O 318-752-6980 8000 East Texas Street | Bossier City, LA 71111 www.caesars.com