OPELOUSAS, LA – Entering the final evening of the Thoroughbred season at Evangeline Downs, the only race for meet-end honors still in doubt was the jockeys’ race. A three-way battle between Colby Hernandez, Tim Thornton and Diego Saenz came to a dramatic conclusion as Hernandez won the penultimate race of the season aboard Tenpins Tempo to clinch the title by two over Saenz, who had three wins on the last night to tighten the race significantly. Saenz was able to pass Thornton for second place in the standings with that hat trick, as Thornton went winless on the evening.
The complete top 10 jockeys’ standings were: Colby Hernandez (95 wins), Diego Saenz (93), Tim Thornton (91), Gerard Melancon (51), Thomas Pompell (37), Carlos Quinones (34), Paulina Ramirez (32), and a three-way tie for eighth with Gerardo Mora, Chris Rosier and Kevin Smith at 26 wins each.
Karl Broberg had his textbook dominant season at Evangeline Downs, winning the trainers’ race with 68 victories from 216 starts for a winning percentage of 31%. Broberg had a total of 138 in-the-money results with 40 seconds and 30 thirds for a top three percentage of 64%. The runner-up in the standings, Ron Faucheux, also had an outstanding season and had a better winning percentage than Broberg of 32%, scoring 36 wins from 113 starts. His in-the-money results also included 29 seconds and 21 thirds, giving Faucheux a top three percentage of 76%.
The complete top 10 trainers’ standings were: Karl Broberg (68 wins), Ron Faucheux (36), Eduardo Ramirez (30), Brett Brinkman (28), Dale White, Sr. (23), Corale Richards (22), a tie for seventh between Sam Breaux and Lee Thomas at 21 wins and a tie for ninth between Sam David, Jr. and Scott Gelner at 20 wins.
Broberg was also part of the leading owners’ standings, as his partnership with Matt Johanson, End Zone Athletics, Inc., won the title handily with 43 wins from 128 starts for a winning percentage of 34%. Owner-trainer Dale White, Sr. was the runner-up in the standings with 14 wins.
The complete top 10 owners’ standings were: End Zone Athletics, Inc. (43 wins), Dale White, Sr. (14), Wayne T. Davis (13), Elite Throoughbred Racing, LLC (12), Red Rose Racing (11), Whispering Oaks Farm, LLC (10), Cynthia Sharp and Corale Richards (9), a tie for eighth between Ming Yan Ng and Norman Stables, LLC at eight wins and a tie for tenth between Brittlyn Stable, Inc. and Sandy Badeaux and Dale White, Sr. at seven wins each.
Live racing at Evangeline Downs will resume with the beginning of the 46-night American Quarter Horse season on Friday, September 27. Post time for the season will be 5:35 pm Central Time. The $1,000,000 LQHBA Louisiana Million will take place on Saturday, December 7 and the $100,000-added Evangeline Downs Futurity and $50,000-added Evangeline Downs Derby will highlight the closing night program on Saturday, December 14.
For more information on racing at Evangeline Downs, visit the track’s website at www.evdracing.com. Evangeline Downs’ Twitter handle is @EVDRacing and the racetrack is also accessible on Facebook at www.facebook.com/EvangelineDownsRacing.
About Evangeline Downs
Evangeline Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel is owned by Boyd Gaming Corporation, a leading diversified owner and operator of 22 gaming entertainment properties located in Nevada, New Jersey, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. Boyd Gaming press releases are available at www.prnewswire.com. Additional news and information can be found at www.boydgaming.com, or www.evangelinedowns.com.
Louisiana native, Robby Albarado, who suffered a fractured wrist in a June 23 spill at Churchill Downs, will resume riding races Aug. 31 on the opening-day card of the Runhappy Meet at Kentucky Downs. Albarado has the mount on the Wayne Catalano-trained Well Spent in the $500,000 Exacta Systems Juvenile Fillies. The jockey will ride Sunday at Ellis Park.
Albarado, who was the regular rider of 2003 Horse of the Year Mineshaft and 2007-08 Horse of the Year Curlinsaid, “I’ll be ready this weekend, but I want to make sure I’m really ready for when Churchill Downs starts. The wrist is good. This is the longest I’ve ever been out with an injury; it’s been 10 weeks. And it wasn’t the fracture. I had a fracture, but it healed right up after four weeks. It’s the ligaments in your hand. But for the most part, it feels good.
“I got on a horse at my farm two weeks ago, galloped him a couple of days in a row and said, ‘Man, I’m ready to go to the track and work horses.’ And it felt good. That’s all you need: to get on horses to get ready. It doesn’t matter what you do at the gym or exercise therapy. There’s nothing better than getting on horses.”
Albarado has won 5,185 races and $218 million in purses in a career that began in 1990.
Randy Romero, the strong-willed Louisiana jockey who parlayed “Ragin’ Cajun” fearlessness as a bush-track phenom into a Hall-of-Fame career highlighted by a gentlemanly demeanor and dramatic victories aboard championship distaffers, died the night of August 28, according to published reports. He was 61 years old.
Romero’s deft, sure-handed horsebacking skills were eclipsed only by his reputation for having rock-solid spiritual faith in the face of numerous on- and off-track adversities. For decades he courageously battled liver and kidney troubles. In mid-June of 2019 Romero disclosed that he was receiving hospice care after doctors deemed him too weak to undergo further surgeries.
Will be Honored with the Frank L. Brothers Stake on the September 7th Super Derby Card
Bossier City, LA – Harrah’s Louisiana Downs will present Super Derby 40 on Saturday, September 7. The marquee event of the 2019 Thoroughbred meet will feature seven stakes, highlighted by the Grade 3, $300,000 Super Derby.
Frank L. Brothers. Photo courtesy of Donna Barton Brothers.
However, one other noteworthy feature will be the inaugural running of the $60,000
Frank L. Brothers stakes. The mile and one-sixteenth turf contest was renamed this year to play tribute to the esteemed Louisiana native and conditioner who won a record nine training titles at Louisiana Downs.
“Frankie” as he is known in the industry, grew up in New Orleans.
“My father was an electrician and we had a family tradition of attending the races at Fair Grounds on Thanksgiving Day and then going home for dinner,” he explained.
His father’s profession was not in the stars for Brothers; it was racing that inspired him. Brothers worked for the late Jack Van Berg, starting at the bottom cooling horses, gradually working his way up to one of the barn’s assistant trainers. After a ten year affiliation with Van Berg, with much thought, and greater trepidation, he went out on his own.
“It was the scariest thing in the world,” admitted Brothers. “I had support from some very good owners, including Al Stall, Sr. John Franks and Mike Rutherford.”
Brothers shared that when he first began at Louisiana Downs, he had 12-16 horses in his barn. The number swelled considerably with his success in Shreveport where he won over 800 races and nine consecutive training titles from 1980 -1988.
In a career that spanned from 1974 to 2009, Brothers saddled 10,440 Thoroughbreds, winning 2,349 races and over $48.9 million in purses. He won the 1991 Preakness and Belmont with Hansel and developed the careers of graded stakes winners Pulpit, First Samurai, Dansil, Madcap Escapade, Arch and Secret Hello.
Brothers acknowledges the importance of his Louisiana roots and tenure at Louisiana Downs.
“Louisiana Downs was the place to be,” said Brothers.owner “The purses were good and I won my first training title there. We were very fortunate with the number of races offered.”
Brothers won the 1998 Super Derby with the Kentucky-bred Arch, owned by Claiborne Farms and Adele B. Dilschneider.
“When he was first starting out, he worked well, but didn’t ‘wow’ you,” explained Brothers. “He won his first race and we took him to Florida. We had options, but decided on the Super Derby. Shane Sellers, who rode quite a few for me, had another commitment, so Corey Nakatani, who had ridden for me before, got the victory.”
Winning the Super Derby meant a great deal to Brothers.
“There were two races in Louisiana I really wanted to win: the Super Derby and the Louisiana Derby,” he added. I was able to win the Louisiana Derby with Mighty. Both will always be special for me.”
One other Louisiana runner who stood out for Brothers was a filly named Monique Rene. The Louisiana-bred daughter of Prince of Ascot, was foaled in 1978 and won 29 of her 45 starts for owner John Franks.
“She had no pedigree, but just loved to run,” stated Brothers. “She laid it on the line every time she went to the racetrack.”
Brothers retired as a trainer ten years ago. His operation had expanded to Kentucky, where he won training title at both Churchill Downs and Keeneland. He loved his horses, but moving three to four times a year and the daily grind required to run a top racing operation, were key factors in his decision.
Life these days is very good for the 73-year-old Brothers, who remains involved in the industry as a blood stock agent and advisor. He has been married to former jockey and television racing broadcaster Donna Barton Brothers for 21 years. The couple resides in Louisville and also has a condo in Saratoga Springs.
“She’s great,” he proudly stated. “The best thing that ever happened to me!”
Brothers was inducted into the Fair Grounds Racing Hall of Fame in 1991 and in 2015, was the first Thoroughbred trainer to be inducted into the Louisiana Sport’s Hall of Fame.
“We were very pleased to name a stakes in honor of Frankie Brothers,” said David Heitzmann, Director of Racing at Harrah’s Louisiana Downs. “He had a tremendous legacy at Louisiana Downs, winning nine consecutive titles, and getting the respect from his owners, fans and fellow horsemen for the way he cared for each of his horses.”
Brothers will not be on hand to present the trophy to the winning connections of the stakes named in his honor due to his bloodstock and yearling sale obligations. However, the acknowledgment from Harrah’s Louisiana Downs meant a great deal to the acclaimed horseman.
“It’s quite an honor and I appreciated the call from David,” said Brothers. “I’m forever grateful for my time at Louisiana Downs, the number of races I was able to win and the wonderful horses and owners that made such an impact on my career.”
Nominations for the Super Derby Card Closed on August 24
Nominations have closed for Super Derby Day, which will take place on Saturday, September 7.Thecard, with a special post time of 12:00 pm (Central, will include seven stakes, highlighted by the Grade 3, $300,000 Super Derby.
The Super Derby program will feature seven stakes, leading up to the Grade 3, $300,000 Super Derby, for 3-year-olds going a mile and one-sixteenth on the main track. The Super Derby closed with 24 nominations, and included potential entrants from horsemen Brad Cox and Steve Asmussen, who have won the last two editions of the stakes.
Cox, who won the 2017 Super Derby (run on the turf) with Mr Misunderstood, has Night Ops, Crafty Daddy and Marquee Prince under consideration. Night Ops, owned by Steve Landers Racing is a son of Warriors Reward, who ran second in the Oaklawn Park Invitational, and most recently, third in the Ellis Park Derby. Lucky Seven Stables’ Crafty Daddy, sired by Scat Daddy, began his career at Fair Grounds and competed two graded stakes at Arlington Park, finishing fourth in the Grade 1, $500,000 Secretariat on August 10. Marquee Prince won the Black Gold Stakes earlier this year at Fair Grounds for owners Rick, Donna and Jeff Awtrey.
Asmussen, is currently the second-leading money earning trainer in North America. He won last year’s Super Derby with Limation for owner Michael Langford and has nominated three horses. Rotation, a colt by Tapit, bred and owned by Winchell Thoroughbreds, LLC was the favorite in the $60,000 Super Derby Prelude here on August 3, but stumbled out of the gate, then gamely battled to complete the superfecta. Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC also bred and owns another Tapit colt, Wicked Indeed, who ran fourth in both the Grade 3 LeComte at Fair Grounds and Sunland Derby at Sunland Park. The Hall of Fame conditioner has also nominated Vangilder, a stakes winner at Albuquerque for owner Chuck Hovitz.
Trainer Al Stall, Jr, who has won three previous editions of the Super Derby, is considering testing stakes company for the first time with Adele B. Dilschneider‘s homebred Rescind. The lightly raced son of Blame broke his maiden and won a $19,000 allowance here on August 12.
Ellis Park Derby champion Gray Magician, trained by Peter Miller, is another interesting nominee. The son of Graydar ran second in the UAE Derby (G2) before competing in the 2019 Kentucky Derby. He was bred in Kentucky by Twin Creeks Farm, whose founder, Steve Davison is an attorney and business owner in Ruston, Louisiana. Gray Magician has banked $738,710 in 11 starts for the ownership group of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Gary Barber and Wachtel Stable.
Leader of Men, owned by Walpole Racing LLC won the $60,000 Super Derby Prelude and is on track to run in the Super Derby. Trevilion, owned by Tigertail Ranch, who ran second and Paynt Battle for Norman Stables, LLC, are also under consideration.
The Super Derby, which had its first running in 1980 has a rich history. The illustrious list of past champions includes four Kentucky Derby winners, four Preakness Stakes winners, five Belmont Stakes winners and seven Travers Stakes winners. Six previous Super Derby entrants have won the prestigious Breeders’ Cup Classic and three Super Derby winners, Tiznow, Sunday Silence and Alysheba have been voted the Eclipse Award as Horse of the Year, the industry’s highest award.
The draw for Super Derby Day will take place on Saturday, August 31. The featured stakes are:
$60,000 Frank L. Brothers 3 YO & Up 1 1/16 miles (T)
$60,000 River Cities 3 YO & Up F&M 1 1/16 miles (T)
$60,000 Happy Ticket 2 YO Fillies One Mile (T)
$60,000 Sunday Silence 2 YO One Mile (T)
$300,000 SUPER DERBY (G3) 3 YO 1 1/16 miles
$60,000 A. L. (Red) Erwin 3 YO LA-Bred One Mile (T)
$60,000 Elge Rasberry 3 YO Fillies, LA-Bred One Mile (T)
Rachel McLaughlin Will be Onsite for Super Derby 40
Rachel McLaughlin, racing production manager and on-air talent at Indiana Grand, also one of the Caesars Entertainment horse racing properties, will make an appearance at Harrah’s Louisiana Downs on Saturday, September 7 for Super Derby 40. She and racing publicist Martha Claussenwill divide paddock previews and post-race stakes interviews as well as offering selections for the entire card. McLaughlin will also meet and greet fans at the track’s simulcast OTB.
“Now that Louisiana Downs and Indiana Grand are part of Caesars Entertainment, we have utilized Rachel’s handicapping expertise each week with our Super Tuesday Pick 4 wager,” said Eric Halstrom, Harrah’s Louisiana Downs Vice President of Operations. “She has a tremendous following on social media and will be a welcome addition to our Super Derby 40 team.”
Super Derby Festival 40 Golf Tournament Set for August 29
On Thursday, August 29, the Super Derby Festival 40 Charity Golf Tournament will be held at Northwood Hills Golf Club in Shreveport, Louisiana.
The event will benefit Chaplain Jimmy Sistrunk and The Backside Benevolence Fund, which provides assistance to the Louisiana racing community and backstretch workers. It serves as one of the special events saluting the annual Grade 3, $300,000 Super Derby, the marquee race of the Louisiana Downs Thoroughbred season, which takes place on Saturday, September 7.
Sign in for the event’s Four Person Scramble kicks off at 10:00 a.m. with tee off at 10:30 a.m. The fee is $80 per person or $320 for a four-person team. The fee includes green fees, golf cart, lunch, and Super Derby t-shirt/cap.
Attendees can register in person in the Louisiana Downs Racing office, or by mail. Checks should be payable to The Backside Benevolence Fund and mailed to: Jennifer Sokol, Harrah’s Louisiana Downs, 8000 East Texas Street, Bossier City, Louisiana, 71111.
Wiener Dog Races Return on Labor Day
Harrah’s Louisiana Downs will present a fun-filled Labor Day program with live Thoroughbred races and the always popular Wiener Dog Races on Monday, September 2. The fun starts at 11:00am. The first Wiener Dog race begins at 12pm with the Championship Race at approximately 2:00 pm. There will also be race heats for children. Proceeds to benefit K9 Karma Service Dogs. Families can enjoy a children’s area including a petting zoo (free admission) located on the Racing Apron. Face Painting will be available for an additional charge. Also, Food Trucks from across the region will be serving up great local bites for purchase.
Super Derby Festivities Set for Saturday, September 7
Several promotions and special events are planned for Super Derby 40 so that both racing fans and families will have an enjoyable afternoon at the racetrack.
Watch and wager on the Super Derby Card in the air-conditioned comfort of the Harrah’s Club. An All You Can Eat Buffet offering for $39.99 per person will be available, beginning at 11:00 am. Reservations are strongly encouraged and can be made by calling 318-752-6367. An upscale buffet, thee Super Derby 40 in the Sky, will also be available for $49.99 per person. Reservations are required: 318-752-6367.
At 10:30 am, a Jockey Meet and Greet and Autograph Signing will take place in the Harrah’s Louisiana Downs main entrance area. A photo of the riders will be available for $5.00 with the proceeds to benefit the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund(PDJF).
Louisiana Downs track announcer John McGary and regional racing publicist Martha Claussen will team up for a pre-race handicapping preview at 11:00 am in the Inside Rail, located on the first floor of the grandstand. They will offer detailed analysis of the Grade 3, $300,000 Super Derby as well as their selections for each of the races on the Super Derby card.
Also beginning at 11:00 am, a Children’s Area will open on the Racing Apron. Face Painting is available for an additional charge. Children can join in the fun with the Super Derby Stilt Walkers and Hula Hoop Stars! Food Trucks from across the region will be serving up great local bites for purchase.
Also at 12:00 pm, registration begins for the Super Derby Ladies Hat Contest. Hats will be judged in three categories: Spirit of Louisiana, Classic and Most Original. The winners will receive $100 cash.
The Food Truck Face-Off will take place after the 3rd race. Competitors will have five minutes to scarf down some of the yummiest foods available for purchase on the Racing Apron. Seven popular local celebrities and three participants from the crowd will compete to win, not only bragging rights, but $250 in cash.
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.
Texas Yearling Sale Records Big Jumps in Average and Gross
The Texas Summer Yearling and Mixed Sale held Monday at Lone Star Park concluded with strong gains in average and gross receipts, signaling that the recent passage of legislation could be having a positive impact on the industry. The sale was sponsored by the Texas Thoroughbred Association and Lone Star Park.
In the yearling session, 42 of 65 head sold for a total of $506,000, which was an increase of 22.1% from last year when 44 of 82 sold for $414,300. This year’s average came in at $12,048, up 28% from last year’s $9,416. The median this year dropped to $5,000 from $7,750. Buybacks at this year’s sale were 35.4% compared to 46.3% last year.
“Even with a smaller catalog this year it’s encouraging that we were able to increase the gross sales along with a big surge in the average,” said Tim Boyce, sales director. “With as much as $25 million annually expected to be added to the Texas racing program thanks to the bill that was passed, that can only do good things for this sale and for the entire Southwest region in the coming years.”
Hip 61, a Louisiana-bred colt by champion Shanghai Bobby, topped the sale with a $115,000 bid from Summer Grove Farm. Consigned by Clear Creek Stud LLC, agent, the March 5 foal is out of the winning Cobra King mare Viva Vega, who has produced eight winners including stakes winners Southern Dude and Viva Vegas.
Hip # 61, Louisiana-bred Shanghai Bobby-Viva Vega colt.
While the sale-topper was bred in Louisiana, the next three highest-priced horses were all Texas-breds by leading Texas stallion Too Much Bling. Tops among the Texas-breds was Hip 42, a colt consigned by Benchmark Training Center, agent, and sold for $60,000 to Anton Kubacak. He is out of the multiple stakes-producing Devil His Due mare Red Thread.
In the mixed portion of the sale, 13 of 17 head sold for a total of $33,100. Show Me the Bling, a winning and Grade 3-placed daughter of Too Much Bling, topped the mixed session, going to CJ Thoroughbred for $14,000. Benchmark Training Center, agent, consigned the 11-year-old broodmare who sold in foal to Alternation.
Next up on the Texas sale calendar is the Texas 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale. It will be held in the spring of 2020 at Lone Star Park with a date to be announced soon.
3rd Free Indeed
Midshipman-Flashy Prize
Breeder: J. Adcock & Neal McFadden (LA)
Owner: Carl J. Deville and Jerry Bruno
Trainer: Carl J. Deville
Jockey: Kerwin D. Clark
OPELOUSAS, LA – The featured event on Saturday night at Evangeline Downs was the $50,000 Evangeline Downs Prince for 2-year-old colts and geldings. X Clown was the king of the evening after sitting last early on and rolling past the rest of the field to score not only his first career stakes win, but also the first career stakes win for his jockey, Tyler Woodley. X Clown ran the six furlongs in a final time of 1:11.73 over the main track listed as good.
X Clown was allowed to settle in last in the field of six as the even-money favorite, Scotty Boy, and Elusive d’Oro dueled through solid fractions of 22.29 seconds for the quarter-mile and 45.75 seconds for the half. That speed battle took its toll on the pacesetters as Woodley guided X Clown to the outside around the turn and took aim at the leaders. X Clown was able to wear down Elusive d’Oro and prevailed by three-quarters of a length, while Scotty Boy faded to last.
X Clown was sent off at odds of 3-1 and returned $8.20 to win, $3.60 to place and $2.80 to show. Elusive d’Oro paid $3.40 to place and $2.20 to show, while Free Indeed paid $6.40 to show.
X Clown was bred in Louisiana by Michael and Cynthia Villar. The 2 year-old-gelding is owned by Set Hut, LLC of Jake Delhomme and trained by Jerry Delhomme. He is by Jimmy Creed and is out of the Invasor mare, Evening Muse. He is now two for three in his career and the $30,000 first-place purse increases his lifetime earnings to $59,400.
Live racing at Evangeline Downs will resume on Wednesday night with a nine-race program. Post time on Wednesday will be 5:50 pm Central Time.
For more information on the Thoroughbred season at Evangeline Downs, visit the track’s website at www.evdracing.com. Evangeline Downs’ Twitter handle is @EVDRacing and the racetrack is also accessible on Facebook at www.facebook.com/EvangelineDownsRacing.
EQUINE SALES COMPANY is looking forward to the upcoming 2019 Consignor Select Yearling Sale to be held on September 5, 2019, at our facility located at 272 Harry Guilbeau Road, Opelousas, Louisiana.
Although I have not spoken to all consignors, some of the larger consignors including, Clear Creek Stud, Oakridge Farm, 4M Ranch, Red River Farm and Select Sales, have said that this is the best overall consignment, including physicals, that they have brought to Equine Sales Company.
If you have questions regarding entries into this sale, please call Sales Director, Foster Bridewell, for an evaluation and inspection of your yearlings, weanlings, broodmares or racing prospects.
Please Join Us at Sale Party!!
Supporting a Great Cause
“Horses and Heroes was created in partnership with multiple equine related organizations across the state of Louisiana to generate awareness of the
$2 Billion Dollar economic impact the Horse industry has for the state each year; all while raising funds for local First Responders to purchase lifesaving equipment, enabling them to better serve the communities in which they operate”
Mobile Bay with jockey Edgar Prado aboard wins the 36th running of the Grade II $400,000 Super Derby at Louisiana Downs. Hodges Photography / Lou Hodges, Jr.
Two-time Accredited Louisiana Bred Horse of the Year, Mobile Bay, who stood his first season at stud for a complimentary fee to approved mares at Carrol Castille’s Whispering Oaks Thoroughbred Farm will remain at Castille’s Carencro breeding facilty for the 2020 breeding season for a fee of $2,500 live foal stands and nurses.
Mobile Bay, a 2012 dark bay or brown son of Lone Star Special out of Tranquility Bay, ran from ages three to six, hitting the board in 21 of 29 lifetime starts. He won eleven stakes, often showing speed in route races of 1 1/16 to 1 1/8 miles, including the G2 Super Derby, open company stakes such as the Sunland Park Handicap, the Maxxam Gold Cup and the Zia Park Derby, as well Louisiana Bred Stakes including the Louisiana Champions Day Classic at the Fair Grounds twice. He placed in another five stakes including the G3 Oklahoma Derby. His Lifetime earnings of $1,246,440 rank him 4th among all-time Leading Accredited Louisiana Bred Runners. A multiple Accredited Louisiana Bred Champion, Mobile Bay was named 2015 3YO Colt or Gelding and Horse of the Year, 2016 Older Male and Horse of the Year, and 2017 Older Male. Mobile Bay is owned by Irwin Olian’s Tigertail Ranch and was trained for his entire career by popular local favorite Victor Arceneaux.
“He is a gorgeous, imposing individual standing 17 hands, weighing 1300 pounds, with textbook conformation.” says Olian. “Mobile Bay has the capacity to hold his own physically against any stallion in the country. His sire Lone Star Special has the rare quality of moving up his mares. I expect Mobile Bay will move up his mares significantly as well. Both represent the best of the Unbridled sire line and I believe will serve to establish a new branch of that line.”
Owner Irwin Olian offered free breeding in 2019 to to attract a large book of mares to enable Mobile Bay to compete as a sire at the national level, and to show his appreciation for the thrills and excitement that Mobile Bay has given him and the horse’s many fans in Louisiana and elsewhere, as well as to give something back to breeders in the Louisiana breeding program in gratitude for all the benefits.
Mobile Bay was very well received in his first year at stud, covering some 30 quality mares. His first crop will arrive in 2020.
Franklin Delano Rowell – July 20, 1933 – August 9, 2019
Frank left this earth for his heavenly home Friday, August 9. Frank is proceeded in death by his parents, William and Mary Rowell of Dallas, Texas. Also, two brothers James W. Rowell of Irving, Texas and Charles Rowell, who died as a child in Dallas, Texas. Two sisters, Margaret Wightman, and Mary Frances Hester both of Athens, Texas. A stepson, Clinton Wayne Hargis, of the Woodlands, Texas.
He is survived by his wife Barbara, a son, Raymond Diehl and his wife Susan of Brownwood, Texas, a daughter Debbie Burkhart and her husband Glester of Kempner, Texas and a daughter Darlene Neely and her husband Jack of Marshall, Texas. A daughter Lynn Wellborn of Denton, Texas. A step daughter, Kathryn Stevens of Azle, Texas. Nephew James W. Rowell Jr. and his wife Susan. Many grandchildren, great grandchildren, relatives and friends.
Frank was born in Dallas, Texas but lived in many places, finally retiring to Arnaudville, Louisiana where he bred and raced Thoroughbred Race Horses in Arkansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, New Jersey, Oklahoma, and Texas. He currently resided in The Woodlands, Texas since 2011. Frank joined the US Army July 27, 1948 at the age of 15 years old. He commanded troops in Japan and Korea. Served his country with the B Battery 31st FABN, 7th Infantry Division – US Army.
Frank had a successful business career and created several prosperous entrepreneur business enterprises. Among them Vice President, Technical Films Inc., and Manager of the Media Division of the US Postal System. Successful business ventures included, Restaurant owner and operator, Owner and executive of a construction business, housing contractor, and most recently owner and breeder of thoroughbred race horses. He respected and honored business partners, nephew James W. Rowell Jr. and Ernie Longoria.
Frank will be laid to rest 11:15 AM, Friday, August 16 at the Dallas – Fort Worth National Cemetery, 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, Texas 75211.
Young was a rodeo champion and successful trainer for 30 years.
Veteran Louisiana trainer Troy James Young, 58, died at his home in Opelousas Aug. 16, according to his family.
Born in Crowley, La., Young got introduced to horses through his father, Lee, who grew up on a livestock and crop farm in St. Landry Parish. Lee Young trained Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds at Evangeline Downs and Delta Downs and built Louisiana Stud for C.T. Fuller of Pennsylvania. Louisiana Stud was sold in the 1980s and later reopened as Copper Crowne.
Troy Young inherited his father’s riding talent and won cutting horse titles at the National High School Rodeo Finals in 1976 and 1977, competing against riders from 31 states and two Canadian provinces. Young also won championship titles in calf roping, team roping, and earned several all-around cowboy titles. His rodeo career extended into college, where he attended McNeese State University on a rodeo scholarship.
Like his father, Young found his way to the racetrack. He won 22 races his first year as a licensed trainer in 1984 and finished in the money in 44% of his starts.
Hero’s Countess in 1988 would become the first of 56 stakes winners he would campaign during 30 years as a trainer. His other top performers included grade 3 winner Dickey Rickey, Rebel Stakes winner B.J.’s Delta Pro, seven-time stakes winner Doctor Mike, and Leslie’s Love, who won six stakes on dirt and turf. Young also trained One Brick Shy, who would win the inaugural Claiming Crown Jewel Stakes at Canterbury Park in 1999 and later win the Louisiana Champions Day Turf Stakes.
In all, Young won 865 (17%) races and placed in an additional 1,448. He would retire from racing in 2013 with $15,789,018 in purses. He left racing to manage the family’s Indian Hills Country Club, which was started by his father.
Young’s family said he enjoyed family cookouts and gatherings, hunting, fishing, dancing and watching football with family and friends. He is survived by his children, Tyler James Young of Lafayette, La., Meghan Leigh Young Duplantis and husband Chase Henry Duplantis of Arnaudville, La., Kaitlin Young LeBlanc and husband Oliver John LeBlanc, IV of Church Point, La.; mother, Shirley Leger Young of Grand Coteau; the mother of his children, Hester A. Young; his brother, Marty Young of Grand Coteau; sisters, Lea Ann Young Bullara and husband Dean of Opelousas, LA and his sister, Shirlene Young of Lafayette; and five grandchildren.
The family requests donations be made to St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital, which has been the beneficiary of a charity golf tournament held annually at Indian Hills.
You must be logged in to post a comment.