D. S. Shine Young Futurity Entries Close Today, June 29 at EVD

Entries for both divisions of  the 2018 D. S. Shine Young Futurities close today June 29 at Evangeline Downs.

There is one division for two-year-old Louisiana Breds colts and geldings, and one division for two-year-old Louisiana Bred fillies. Both races will run on Saturday, July 14, 2018 at a distance of 5 1/2 furlongs for purses of $75,000.

 

 

Obituary, David Beard

David Beard

February 10, 1936 – June 22, 2018

David Beard was a self-made man, who was proud of family, friends and employees who helped him achieve his success.  He was the President and Leader of Great American Foods that always stayed true to the lessons he learned as a child about pride and hard work, which helped him become the successful entrepreneur many came to respect and love.  David led the company and his employees through over 40 years of a successful business and provided careers for many employees an opportunity of a first job for so many more. He opened his first restaurant, David Beard’s Catfish Village, in 1969 on Highway 155 near Ore City, and the rest was history. He oversaw multiple restaurant concepts, food manufacturing, warehouse and logistical endeavours over the years.  David learned his skills, not from school, but from hard work, determination and putting quality above all else.  He was a builder and cattleman for many years and owned thoroughbred racehorses.  He was a faithful and passionate Christian man that would share his beliefs with you as well as his opinion.  David’s integrity in his business and personal life was an example to anyone who knew him.

A member of the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association, he raced many successful Louisiana breds. His most successful Louisiana bred runner was Witt Ante who was selected Champion Accredited Louisiana Bred 2-Year-Old Colt or Gelding as a juvenile in 2002 and 2004 Champion Accredited Louisiana Bred Older Male. While running from ages 2 to 8, Witt Ante had a lifetime record of 59-10-9-5 with lifetime earnings of $619,420, including 6 stakes victories and placing in another 8 stakes contests.

David was preceded in death by his parents, Dayton and Pauline Beard; his sisters, Margrey Sullivan, Kathleen Hall, and Bonnie Wood; his brother, Bruce Beard; and sisters-in-law, Mary Lou Berry and Ann Morgan.  He is survived by his wife, Margie Durham-Beard; his daughters, Kathy Weeks and husband Jason, Dana Hitchcock, De-Ann “Mikki” Parrish and husband Fred, and Denise Beard; grandchildren, Tonya Spencer, Colt Spencer and wife Victoria, Fredi Parrish, Tanner Gibson, Taylor Gibson, Lane Hitchcock, Gavin Weeks and Madison Weeks; great-grandchildren, Lukas Enloe, Haven Benge, Logan Benge, Haley Benge, Colt Spencer Cohen Spencer; brother, Jerry Beard; sister, Lynda Beard-Davis and husband Billy Paul Davis; sister-in-law, Martha Sue Martin and her husband Ken; brothers-in-law, Jerry Berry and Wayne Morgan; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be conducted 2:00 p.m. Monday, June 25, 2018 at the Ore City Church of Christ. Burial will follow at Coffeeville Cemetery, under the direction of Reeder-Davis Funeral Home. There will be a time of visitation from Noon until 1:30 p.m. Monday at the church.

The family wishes to thank everyone for all of your loving support and prayers during our time of sorrow. We also respectfully request, in lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Fourteen Takeaways From The 2018 Jockey Club Welfare And Safety Summit

by | 06.27.2018 | 6:50pm

The Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation hosted its eighth Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit June 27 at Keeneland, with speakers touching off on disaster preparedness, jockey safety, equine injury, and Thoroughbred aftercare.

Here are a few things I didn’t know before attending this year’s event:

  • Detail matters in disaster planning. Obviously, the San Luis Rey Downs tragedy and a pair of major hurricanes reiterated to everyone in the horse industry that wherever you keep horses, you need disaster plans. One thing people may not think about is the impact beyond the first hours following a hurricane, tornado, fire, or flood. Dr. Roberta Dwyer, extension veterinarian at the University of Kentucky, recalled a serious ice storm in Central Kentucky several years ago which left her farm property without power or vehicular access for a week.Some things you may not have thought of when making plans:
    -If you have well water, a loss of power also means a loss of water for your horses.
    -Your help may not be able to access the farm to look after horses.
    -Fencing or barns may be destroyed or unusable, and the longer access to your property is blocked, the longer it will take to get them fixed
    -Mass power outages will also mean that gas stations and ATMs will be non-functional
    -If you have more horses than trailer space and are forced to evacuate, you need to know which ones are going first and where you’re taking them.
  • An answer to an age-old question: Should horses be inside or out during a weather event? Dwyer said it depends on your barn, its location, and the type of weather that’s headed your way. If your barn is in a low-lying area and there’s a potential for flooding, the horses should be let out so they can seek shelter. If your barn is at the top of a windy hill and a storm system is coming, the barn may not be in the safest place for the horse. In the event of a tornado warning, Dwyer thinks flying debris is a big consideration and keeping horses inside may be the best way to protect them.
  • When it comes to weather at the track, change is a bigger problem than extremity. Horses, much like people, will gradually adjust to the temperature and humidity they’re exposed to. A panel made up of track managers and veterinarians agreed they’re more worried by significant changes in a short amount of time than they are warm or cold temperatures. Dr. Lynn Hovda, chief commission veterinarian for the Minnesota Racing Commission, noted Canterbury Park saw a change from two feet of snow to a high of 106 degrees in six weeks this season, along with significant humidity. That had her worried.Jeff Johnston, regional manager for the Jockeys’ Guild said he is more worried by ice than snow. Track surfaces are usually fine during icy weather because they’re harrowed a lot, but pathways to and from the paddock may not be. Further, Johnston pointed out changes from thaw and freeze can impact dirt surfaces in ways fans don’t think about. Before Turfway put in a synthetic surface, Johnston recalled overnight refreezing would tighten the dirt, but in the midafternoon on a weekend card, the ground would have thawed but not dried and the surface became loose and unsafe. This sometimes prompted race cancellations which the general public found difficult to understand.
  • The Equine Injury Database is starting to look at non-fatal injuries, and the results are pretty interesting so far. We knew that a horse’s appearance on a veterinarian’s list was an increased risk for fatal injury, but of course it also elevates the risk a horse will have a non-fatal injury. This does not seem to multiply with the number of separate instances a horse may have been placed on the list, but it also doesn’t ever go back down to normal again after the horse has been flagged once. Horses who have been on the list once have a 115 percent higher risk for fatal breakdown and a 79 percent higher risk for non-fatal fracture than horses who haven’t been flagged.Track-by-track data has also shown there’s variability in risk patterns post-veterinarian’s list depending on location – and obviously, regulatory body. When a horse comes off the list and is allowed to run, some locations saw the horse’s risk spike higher/spike longer than others.
  • …However, we need much, much more complete reporting before the database can provide us helpful guidelines to reduce risk. Parkin estimates he’s only getting about 25 percent of all non-fatal injuries that happen, between injuries that happen during training or incomplete reporting of injuries during the race day. There’s also a lot of injury risk we still don’t have a statistical explanation for, and more complete data could help fill in some gaps.
  • The private nature of veterinary records could be part of the issue – for Parkin, and for horses. Of course, it would be easier for Parkin to identify trends in horses’ history if he knew what they were being treated with and when. But veterinary records legally belong to the owner of the horse at the time a record was created, and aren’t required to be disclosed to subsequent owners, Parkin, or state officials (with a few limited exceptions). Parkin suspects it’s no accident then, that a horse’s risk of fatal injury is 28 percent higher in its first start with a new trainer than it was the last time it started. Part of that could be the trainer’s lack of familiarity with the horse, but part of it may be that he’s in the dark about what the horse has experienced medically.
  • In case you needed more evidence, bringing a horse back after an injury may not be worth it if the horse is running at the lower levels. That’s because, according to Parkin’s data, they’re probably going to be starting for a purse that’s 20 percent lower than what they were running for before injury. If you’re already running a cheap horse, you have to ask whether it’s worthwhile. Among horses who suffered a non-fatal injury, only 46 percent raced again; those who did had a fatal breakdown rate of 3.1 percent – significantly higher than the .18 percent through the rest of the population.
  • Microchipping can help with more than verifying identity at saddling time. Marc Guilfoil, executive director of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission, noted that microchips can put a halt to abuse of shockwave therapy – if used correctly. The temporary analgesia produced by shockwave makes it a temptation for trainers to haul horses off-site to apply the therapy close to race time, then come back in. Prevailing wisdom suggests they may lie to the security attendant at the stable gate about the identity of the horse in the trailer (if they are asked for an identity at all) to evade suspicion. Guilfoil expects stable gate attendants can scan microchips to create a digital record of when a horse came on and off the grounds.
  • “Putting an inexperienced jockey on an inexperienced horse is a recipe for disaster.” Peta Hitchens, research fellow in the equine orthopedic research group at the University of Melbourne, presented stats gathered from five years of data from the California Jockey Accident Database. She found an apprentice has a 50 percent higher risk for injury than a fully-licensed rider, and several additional factors could add more risk on top of that 50 percent increase, including: the rider also has less than 250 races to their name; the horse has had less than five starts; the race is a sprint; the race takes place on a dry, fast track. Unsurprisingly, fatal injuries to horses are risky for riders: 60 percent of fatal horse breakdowns were accompanied by a jockey injury.
  • We’ve known rider falls are expensive, but now we know how expensive. Jockey claims in the Finish Line Insurance Group, which protects California riders, averaged a staggering $103,000 each in cases of fatal horse breakdowns. Claims for the average exercise rider fall: $28,000 each.
  • Besides being an important welfare consideration, having a sports medicine physician to look after the jockey colony can reduce costs. Dr. Kelly Ryan, primary care sports medicine physician with MedStar Health, admits her services don’t come cheap. MedStar contracts with the Maryland Jockey Club to allow Ryan to provide sports medicine and general care to jockeys and backstretch workers in the state. She does baseline concussion testing for jockeys and clears them to ride after an injury, but she also treats horse bites and kicks, coordinates follow-up care after accidents, and helps provide sports psychology services when needed.Ryan hears often from people who admire Maryland’s system of providing experienced care to their riders, but who say those services are inaccessible in other areas. Not true, she says. There are sports medicine physicians available nearly everywhere, and if you can’t find one of those, an athletic trainer can serve as a consultant on- or off-site for riders. Athletic trainers in other sports are on the court or field to be the eyes and ears of sports medicine doctors to identify potential problems an athlete may be battling. They’re also a lot cheaper than sports medicine physicians. Another cost consideration: In her role, Ryan says she reduces workers’ compensation claims because she can treat a lot of on-the-job injuries in her office at the track.
  • We’ve heard it before, but the quality of emergency care for a jockey is greatly improved when you have someone skilled on– Ryan is not the person riding in the ambulance to a fallen jockey during a race, but she can act as a conduit.“When you go to the hospital and they have on the paperwork ‘Complaint: rider fell from horse,’ that’s a lot different from the way we saw them, coming off at 40 miles per hour,” said Ryan, who can describe whether and where the rider was stepped on, and how exactly they hit the ground.
  • Language is key when it comes to talking about OTTBs. Jen Roytz, executive director of the Retired Racehorse Project and writer of our Aftercare Spotlight series, revealed one of the biggest misconceptions she encounters when talking to people about off-track Thoroughbreds. “Often they will tell me, ‘Oh I rescued him from the track,’” she said. “I constantly have to, very politely, correct them and say, ‘Why do you feel that horse was rescued?’ When they start talking through it, they convince themselves it wasn’t really ‘rescued.’ The lay person, mainstream public, does not give enough credence to how well cared for these horses are.”
  • Turf racing may be gaining stretch in the American landscape, and that comes with surface concerns. Trainer Graham Motion mentioned that he loves a good turf horse, but anecdotally he has concerns about long-term wear and tear on a track. This theme came up again from surfaces expert Dr. Mick Peterson, who noted there’s no easy way to freshen a turf surface. A few options for tracks trying to figure this out – change the racing schedule to let grass grow at the appropriate season, create short turf-only meets to give courses elsewhere on a circuit a rest, and increase the width of turf tracks.

National Pet Preparedness Month: Are You Prepared to Protect Your Horses?

Although the number and severity of weather related disasters is on the rise, according to a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) survey, only 39 percent of respondents have developed an emergency plan. Pet preparedness is so important that June is designated as National Pet Preparedness Month and it’s the perfect time for horse owners to make sure they have a plan for their horses should disaster strike. The key to remaining calm and keeping animals safe during an emergency is being prepared. The Homes for Horses Coalition offers horse owners tips for protecting their equine companions in the event of a disaster.

Cindy Gendron, manager of the Coalition, said: “The response isn’t the same for every type of emergency; you may need to evacuate your horses or keep them safe in a barn or in a field. Once you understand your options, the next steps are developing a plan, organizing your resources and training and practicing for possible scenarios. If a disaster does strike, you’ll be ready to protect yourself and your horse.” Both the ASPCA and The Humane Society of the United States offer a wide range of readiness tips to help you protect your equines from both natural disasters and ordinary accidents. When planning, owners should consider the following.

  • Permanently identify each horse by tattoo, microchip, brand, and photograph. In your records, include the horse’s age, sex, breed, and color. Keep this information with your important papers.
  • Keep halters ready. On each halter attach a luggage tag with the following information: the horse’s name, your name, email address, your telephone number, and another emergency telephone number where someone can be reached. At the time of evacuation, consider additional temporary identification such as a leg band.
  • Place your horses’ Coggins tests, veterinary papers, identification photographs, and vital information—such as medical history, allergies, and emergency telephone numbers (veterinarian, family members, etc.)—in a watertight envelope. Store the envelope with your other important papers in a safe place that will be easy for you to access, so you can take them with you when you and your horses evacuate.
  • Prepare a basic first aid kit that is portable and easily accessible.
  • Be sure to include enough water (12 to 20 gallons per day per horse), hay, feed, and medications for several days for each horse.
  • Make arrangements in advance to have your horse trailered in case of an emergency. If you don’t have your own trailer or don’t have enough room in your trailer for all your horses and have to rely on the help of others, be sure to plan extra time to take care of both their equine and yours.
  • Train all of your horses to trailer in various weather and light conditions. It is essential to timely evacuation that your horses are comfortable being loaded onto a trailer.

 

Evacuation

  • Know where you can take your horses in an emergency evacuation. When possible, make arrangements with a friend or another horse owner to stable your horses well beyond the region at risk.
  • Contact your local animal care and control agency, agricultural extension agent, or local emergency management authorities for information about shelters in your area.

 

If you cannot evacuate with your horse

  • Have a back-up plan in case it’s impossible to take your horse with you when you evacuate. Consider different types of disasters and whether your horses would be better off in a barn or loose in a field. Your local humane organization, agricultural extension agent, or local emergency management agency may be able to provide you with information about your community’s disaster response plans.
  • Share your evacuation plans with friends and neighbors. Post detailed instructions in several places—including the barn office or tack room, the horse trailer, and barn entrances—to ensure emergency workers can see them in case you are not able to evacuate your horses yourself.

 

Factors that will add to the complexity of the situation and require additional planning include: having exceptionally young, exceptionally old or mobility impaired equines, having stallions or especially high strung horses, having a large number of horses, or being located far from a main road. You can find more preparedness resources on The Homes for Horses Coalition website.

 

If you are in an area prone to a certain type of natural disaster, the Red Cross has a series of natural disaster mobile apps that provide expert, detailed emergency information on each type of disaster, such as wildfire or flood. Gendron says, “It’s easy to get stuck in the ‘it won’t happen to me’ mentality, but with disasters on the rise and so many resources available for preparation, I hope that this June horse owners will make preparedness a priority.”

 

TOBA to Host Annual National Awards Dinner on September 8

The Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association has announced that the 33rd annual TOBA National Awards Dinner will be held on Saturday, September 8, 2018 at the Woodford Reserve Club at Kroger Field in Lexington, Ky.

The National Awards Dinner honors owners and breeders from 23 states and Canada. Also recognized are the National Owner of the Year and National Owner Finalists, National Breeder of the Year, Small Breeder of the Year, Broodmare of the Year, Rood & Riddle Sport Horse of the Year, Claiming Crown Horse of the Year and recipient of the Robert N. Clay Award.

“We look forward to a special and unforgettable evening of honoring the leading Thoroughbred owners and breeders in North America,” said Dan Metzger, president of TOBA.  “Hosting the National Awards Dinner at the University of Kentucky’s football stadium will provide a unique and exciting setting for all of our state and national winners and guests.”

Tickets for the National Awards Dinner will go on sale July 31 and will be available online at www.toba.org or call Meredith Downey at (859) 276-6793.

HARRAH’S LOUISIANA DOWNS ANNOUNCES PURSE INCREASES FOR THE 2018 THOROUGHBRED MEET

Bossier City, LA – Harrah’s Louisiana Downs has announced an increase in overnight race purses for the 2018 Thoroughbred season, effective June 30.  All overnight races, up to and including $12,500, will be increased by $1,500. All other purses will be raised by $1,000.

The 84-day live racing season began on May 5 and the cards on Saturday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesdayafternoons have been well-received on-track as well as by simulcast players throughout the country. With two major stakes days, Louisiana Cup Day on August 4 and
Super Derby Day on September 2, the purse increases will bolster the daily race cards for the meet which continues through Wednesday, September 26.

“We are pleased to announce this purse increase,” said David Heitzmann, Harrah’s Louisiana Downs Racing Secretary. “While our Grade 3, $300,000 Super Derby remains the richest race of the meet, we have a loyal core of horsemen who work hard to fill races throughout the season. We are hopeful that this increase will benefit both our horsemen and horseplayers.”

The annual Louisiana Cup Day on August 4 will feature six divisional stakes for horses bred in Louisiana, with four six-furlong main track stakes as well as the $50,000 Louisiana Cup Turf Classic and the $50,000 Louisiana Cup Distaff to be contested at a mile and one-sixteenth on the turf. The program also includes the $60,000 Prelude, a 1 1/16-mile race on the turf for 3-year-olds that serves as the local prep race for the Super Derby. Purses for the Louisiana Cup Day stakes will total $360,000.  In addition to the Super Derby, six additional stakes will be contested on Sunday, September 2 with total purses for the holiday card totaling $660,000.

 

Big Saturday for Jockey Joel Dominguez and Agent Don Simington

Saturday, June 23 was a memorable day for both jockey Joel Dominguez and his agent, Don Simington. Dominguez won six of seven races on the card at Louisiana Downs, finishing third in the sixth race. Hector Del-Cid, who also is represented by Simington, guided Bitsy’s Half to victory, “spoiling” the sweep by Dominguez.

Dominguez began his day winning the first five races, beginning with Gardner’s Song; Phat and Fast; N.D. Free; Sunshine Tutie and Vinyl. He returned to the winner’s circle in the finale aboard Beautiful Gi Gi.

“The day set up perfectly for me,” admitted Dominguez. “I told my wife that I was named on a lot of horses that had a shot. But I never thought I could win six races!

As previously been reported in weekly notes, the 28-year-old rider ended his apprentice status on May 23.  He was confident that he would make the transition to journeyman status with the support of many trainers, including Al Stall, Jr., Joe Duhon, Dana Whited, Ronnie Ward, Ralph Irwin and Al Cates.

After losing his bug, Dominguez stated that one of his goals was to finish in the top three in the rider standings. He has won 27 races and is currently tied with Emanuel Nieves for the lead. Last year as an apprentice, Dominguez finished as the tenth-leading rider with 31 victories.

Born in Durango, Mexico, Dominguez credits his hard-working agent, Simington for his success so far as well as his record-setting Saturday.

“Don has me riding for many different barns,” he said.  “He’s doing a great job!”

Simington, hung up his tack in 2015 after winning over 3,400 races. He won five races on a card at Louisiana Downs several years ago, but had no issue with Dominguez breaking his record!

 

“It was an exciting day for Joel and nice day for me, winning seven races with my riders,” said Simington.

 

Camel and Ostrich Racing Set for July 4

Harrah’s Louisiana Downs is hosting Exotic Animal Races on Wednesday, July 4th. Fans of all ages will enjoy Ostriches and Camels racing on the main track in between live Thoroughbred races. Post time is 3:15 pm and activities for families on the Kid’s Zone apron will get underway at noon.  The popular Food Trucks will make a return appearance and The Harrah’s Club is offering an All you can eat, All day Buffet for $29.99.

 

Wednesday and Saturday Race Day Promotions

Louisiana Downs offers value for racing fans each Wednesday with Dollar Day. They will be able to enjoy $1 hot dogs, $1 beer at the Paddock as well as $1 programs. Saturday’s weekly promotion is the Family Four Packfeaturing four hot dogs, four sodas, a program, and a box seat for four at the affordable price of just $16.

 

The Total Rewards program is free for horseplayers. With the swipe of their card each Saturday, members will receive valuable incentives.  These include:

  • Play $250 or more to receive a 5X multiplier
  • Play $1,000 or more to receive a 7X multiplier
  • Play $5,000 or more to receive a 10X multiplier

Participant’s multiplier cannot exceed a total balance of more than one hundred thousand (100,000) Reward Credits during one promotional day after the multiplier is applied.

 

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 4 and Super Derby Day on Sunday, September 2. As previously announced one major change for the upcoming season is that the Grade 3, $300,000 Super Derby will return to the main track at a distance of a mile and one-sixteenth on Sunday, September 2.

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.

Obituary: Shantel Lanerie

Shantel Lanerie

June 01, 1976 – June 22, 2018

CARENCRO ~ Funeral services will be held Thursday, June 28, 2018 at an 11:00 a.m. Liturgy of the Word in Evangeline Memorial Gardens Chapel in Carencro for Shantel Lanerie, age 42, the former Shantel Hebert, who passed away Friday, June 22, 2018 at Norton Women’s and Kosair Children’s Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky.

Interment will be in Evangeline Memorial Gardens in Carencro. The Rev. Gary Schexnayder will officiate at the services.

Musical selections will be provided by Charlotte Jagneaux, accompanied by Phyllis Simar on the organ. The songs will be You Will Always Be A Child In My Eyes, Hail Mary Gentle Woman, Isaiah 49, and Wind Beneath my Wings.

Shantel was a native of Cecilia and had been a resident of Louisville, KY for the past 15 years. She was a 1994 graduate of Cecilia High School and was a 13-year dance student at Liz Trahan School of Dance. She was a devoted wife, loving mother, adored daughter and beloved friend.

Survivors include her loving husband of 21 years, Corey Lanerie of Louisville, KY; one daughter, Brittlyn Lanerie; her parents, Riley Hebert and the former Katherine Guilbeau; one brother, Rylan Hebert; one niece, Brooklyn Hebert; her mother-in-law & father-in-law, Debbie and Gerald Lanerie; and one godchild, Ashton Theriot.

She was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, John Guilbeau and the former Nora Belle Guidry; and her paternal grandparents, Justin Hebert and the former Gladys Robin.

A rosary will be prayed at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday in the funeral home.

The family requests that visiting hours be observed from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Wednesday and will continue from 8:00 a.m. until service time on Thursday.

Pallbearers will be Riley Hebert, Rylan Hebert, John L. Guilbeau, Earl Estilette, Robby Albarado and Gerald Lanerie. Honorary pallbearer will be Keith Estilette.

Melancon Funeral Home, Evangeline Memorial Gardens Chapel, 4117 N. University Ave., Carencro, (337) 896-3232, is in charge of arrangements.

 

SERVICES

VisitationWednesday, June 27, 2018
10:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Melancon Funeral Home Chapel
4117 N. University Ave.
Carencro, Louisiana 70520Get Directions on Google Maps

 

RosaryWednesday, June 27, 2018
7:00 PM

Melancon Funeral Home Chapel
4117 N. University Ave.
Carencro, Louisiana 70520Get Directions on Google Maps

 

VisitationThursday, June 28, 2018
9:00 AM

Melancon Funeral Home Chapel
4117 N. University Ave.
Carencro, Louisiana 70520Get Directions on Google Maps

 

Liturgy of the WordThursday, June 28, 2018
11:00 AM

Melancon Funeral Home Chapel
4117 N. University Ave.
Carencro, Louisiana 70520Get Directions on Google Maps

AUTUMN WARRIOR TAKES THE $50,000 LAFAYETTE STAKES FOR LOUISIANA-BREDS

 

AUTUMN WARRIOR - The Lafayette Stakes
Autumn Warrior leads the field wire to wire to defeat his competition by 6 3/4 lengths in the Lafayette Stakes. Coady Photography.

Lafayette Stakes
Evangeline Downs, 6-23-28, 7 furlongs, $50,000
3YO Accredited Louisiana Breds

AUTUMN WARRIOR
Orb-Kinsolving
Breeder: Autumn Hill Farms Racing Stables, Inc.
Owner: Autumn Hill Farms Racing Stables, Inc.
Trainer: Al Stall, Jr
Jockey: C. J. Hernandez

2nd
O’L Red
Songandaprayer-Tommeyesgold
Breeder: Tom Curtis & Wayne Simpson
Owner: Cool Breeze Racing
Trainer: Dwight J. Viator
Jockey: Kevin J. Smith

3rd
Discreetly D
Discreetly Mine-Evening Muse
Breeder: Michael Villar & Cynthia Villar
Owner: Set Hut LLC
Trainer: Jerry Delhomme
Jockey: T. Thornton

The $50,000 Lafayette Stakes for Louisiana-bred 3-year-olds took place on Saturday night at Evangeline Downs and the winner was the even-money wagering favorite, Autumn Warrior. The gelding was engaged in a speed duel through the early stakes with O’L Red, as that pair posted swift fractions of 22.21 seconds for the quarter-mile and 44.73 for the half-mile. Once in the stretch, however, Autumn Warrior easily dispatched O’L Red and surged to a 6-3/4 lengths victory in a final time of 1:24.19 for the seven furlongs.

Autumn Warrior paid $4.20 to win, $2.80 to place and $2.40 to show. O’L Red returned $3 to place and $2.40 to show and Discreetly D paid $3.60 to show.

Autumn Warrior was bred in Louisiana by the owners Autumn Hill Farms Racing Stables Inc., is trained by Al Stall, Jr. and was ridden to victory by Colby Hernandez. The 3-year-old gelding is by 2013 Kentucky Derby winner, Orb, and is out of the Posse mare, Kinsolving. He is now two-for-two in his career and the $30,000 first-place purse increases his lifetime earnings to $43,200.

Seaside Amour Prevails to Take Acadiana Stakes

SEASIDE AMOUR The Acadiana Stakes
C.J. Hernandez guides a determined Seaside Amour across the finish line first in the Acadiana Stakes. Coady Photography.

The Acadiana Stakes
Evangeline Downs, 6-22-18, 7 furlongs, $50,000
3 YO Accredited Louisiana Bred Fillies

SEASIDE AMOUR
Custom for Carlos – Seaside Affair
Breeder: Stewart M. Madison
Owner: Stewart Mather Madison
Trainer: Al Stall, Jr.
Jockey: C.J. Hernandez

2nd
Yes Gorgeous
Mass Media – Isn’t She Gorgeous
Breeder: J. Adcock & Montgomery Equine Center
Owner: Scott Gelner
Trainer: Scott Gelner
Jockey: D. Saenz

3rd
Blue Suade Guitar
Star Guitar – Persuading
Breeder: Brittlyn Stables, Inc.
Owner: Brittany Stable, Inc.
Trainer: Victor Arceneaux
Jockey: T. Thornton

 

The $50,000 Acadiana Stakes for 3-year-old Louisiana-bred fillies featured a field of eight going seven furlongs. The Al Stall, Jr. trainee, Seaside Amour, who was the 5-2 betting favorite, prevailed after a stirring stretch drive with Yes Gorgeous to win by a neck in a final time of 1:24.41.

It is the first career stakes victory for Seaside Amour and her third win overall from five starts. The $30,000 first-place purse increases her lifetime earnings to $73,790. She was bred in Louisiana by the owner, Stewart Mather Madison, and ridden to victory by Colby Hernandez.

Seaside Amour paid $7.20 to win, $4.40 to place and $3 to show. Yes Gorgeous returned $4 to place and $3 to show, while Blue Suade Guitar paid $3.20 to show.

 

Shantel Lanerie, 42, Dies; Wife Of Jockey Corey Lanerie, Mother Of Brittlyn, Waged Courageous Battle Against Cancer

Corey and Shantel Lanerie, with their daughter Brittlyn, at the Survivors Parade on Kentucky Oaks Day at Churchill Downs

Shantel Lanerie, the beloved wife of Churchill Downs’ 15-time champion jockey Corey Lanerie and devoted mother of their 10-year-old daughter Brittlyn, passed away late Friday afternoon at Norton Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Louisville, Ky. She was 42.

Shantel Lanerie was diagnosed with Stage 1 breast cancer earlier this year and had been undergoing chemotherapy treatments to battle the disease. She was admitted to the hospital Thursday to treat what was diagnosed as sepsis – a severe infection – and underwent emergency surgery that evening, according to family friend Gary Palmisano. Sadly, her courageous fight ended Friday.

Raised in Cecilia, La., Shantel was the daughter of a trainer and met her future husband when he began riding at Evangeline Downs in Opelousas, La. in 1991. They were married April 11, 1997.

After dominating the Texas and Louisiana horse racing circuits, Corey and his wife moved to Kentucky in the spring of 2005 and took up residence in Louisville’s Lake Forest community.

While watching her husband ride, Shantel held various positions at the track primarily before their only daughter Brittlyn was born in early 2008. She worked as a tab writer with the clocker at Lone Star Park, a mutuel clerk at Fair Grounds and a photographer’s assistant at Churchill Downs.

As Corey’s success reached new heights with the first of 15 Churchill Downs riding titles at the 2012 spring meet, Shantel and Brittlyn were often spotted and recognized in the Churchill Downs’ winner’s circle while sporting wide smiles and the most stylish fashion.

Additionally, Shantel was famously known around the racetrack for her hospitality and delicious Cajun cooking as she often whipped up memorable meals for family and friends after the races and on “dark days” at their Louisville home.

“The Churchill Downs family is devastated by the sudden passing of Shantel Lanerie,” said Churchill Downs racetrack president Kevin Flanery. “This is a very sad day. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Corey, Brittlyn, family members and numerous friends as they endure this extremely difficult time. Please keep them in your thoughts and prayers.”

After being diagnosed with breast cancer earlier this year, Shantel was one of 144 women that walked in the always-stirring Survivors Parade on Kentucky Oaks Day at Churchill Downs and a video that told her story was shown throughout Churchill Downs on the Big Board.

Jockeys wore pink “Fight With Shantel” bands around their legs on Kentucky Oaks Day. Those bands somberly returned during Friday’s racing program at Churchill Downs.

In addition to Corey and Brittlyn, Shantel is survived by her mother and father, Katie and Riley Hebert; brother Rylan Hebert; and mother-in-law and and father-in-law Debbie and Gerald Lanerie.

At the time of Shantel’s passing, the family was surrounded by members of the Churchill Downs jockey colony, including Robby Albarado, Brian Hernandez Jr., Ricardo Santana Jr., Julien Leparoux and Samuel Camacho Jr.

A memorial service in Louisville and funeral in Louisiana is pending.