Month: August 2021

Without Jazz Fest, Turf Ready for Fair Grounds Meet

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Jazz Fest annually leaves the Fair Grounds grass course in need of recovery.

The recent COVID-19-related cancellation of this fall’s New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival should leave full turf racing opportunities this fall and winter at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, according to Bernard Chatters, president of the Louisiana Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association.

Fair Grounds annually hosts the music festival, an event known as Jazz Fest, typically in the spring, drawing thousands onto its infield area and leaving its grass course in need of recovery. The event, a staple in New Orleans tourism, was canceled in 2020 due to COVID-19, and this year it was postponed until the fall before festival officials scrapped it Aug. 8, citing “exponential growth” of COVID-19 cases in the area. It is scheduled to resume next year from April 29-May 8.

 

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Horologist Goes Wire to Wire In Summer Colony At Saratoga

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by

 

There’s A Chance Stable, Medallion Racing, Abbondanza Racing, Parkland Thoroughbreds, Paradise Farms Corp. and David Staudacher’s Horologist made every pole a winning one in Sunday’s $120,000 Summer Colony, at Saratoga Race Course in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

A multiple graded-stakes winner – and the 2020 New Jersey-bred Horse of the Year – Horologist broke sharply under Junior Alvarado and never relinquished in the nine-furlong event for older fillies and mares that have not won a graded race in 2021.

Trained by Hall of Famer Bill Mott, Horologist set splits of :23.66, :47.34, and 1:11.77 with Gibberish tracking her early foot in second position over a good and sealed main track. The pacesetter took the field into the final turn with stalkers So Darn Hot and Gold Spirit inching closer with Gibberish failing to pester.

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Mo Tom, El Deal Represented by First Black-Type Winners

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Red River Farms’ freshman stallions had stakes winners Aug. 21 at Louisiana Downs.

 

Mo Tom  and El Deal , both freshman stallions standing at the Adcock family’s Red River Farms in Coushatta, La., were represented by their first black-type winners Aug. 21 at Louisiana Downs.

In the second race of the day, Wholelottamo  took the $50,000 Louisiana Cup Juvenile Fillies Stakes for Mo Tom, and two races later True Deal  eked out a victory in the $50,000 Louisiana Cup Juvenile Stakes to represent El Deal. Both 2-year-olds were bred in Louisiana by Cloyce Clark Jr.

 

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LOUISIANA CUP DAY FILLED WITH THRILLING FINISHES AND PRIDE FROM EACH OF THE WINNING CONNECTIONS

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Trainer Allen Landry Wins Two of the Six Features

 

Bossier City, LA – Temperatures rose into the upper 90’s Saturday afternoon at Louisiana Downs but excellent efforts were on display in each of the six black-type stakes on Louisiana Cup Day.

 

Wholelottamo with jockey Timothy Thornton aboard pulls away to win the 11th running of the Louisiana Cup Juvenile Fillies Stake at Louisiana Downs. Hodges Photography / Ann Switalski

Driving Finish By Wholelottamo in the $50,000 Louisiana Cup Juvenile Fillies

Stakes action began with the running of the $50,000 Louisiana Cup Juvenile Fillies. A very competitive field of eight accredited 2-year-old Louisiana-bred fillies entered the gate for the six furlong contest with a confident score by Wholelottamo.

 

Owned by Thompson Racing LLC, the daughter of Mo Tom made her Louisiana Downs debut after two starts at Lone Star Park. Tim Thornton, who is just one win away from his 2,500th career victory, guided the chestnut filly to the wire in 1:12.97, winning by a margin of 2 ½  lengths. Trainer Scott Gelner was not surprised at her victory, citing the tough company she faced in her June 5 debut.

 

“She ran against two really nice fillies in that race,” said Gelner. “One of them (Wicked Halo) won a Grade 2 at Saratoga. I have to give credit to my son (assistant trainer, JJ). He’s not here; he;s on vacation in the Bahamas!”

 

Early pacesetter Streak of Silver hung on for second under Lindey Wade, followed by Free Like a Girl and Buckely Bunny.

 

Bred by Cloyce C. Clark, Jr.,  Wholelottamo ($5.20) has now won two of her three starts and banked $57,925.

 

Net A Bear wins the 36th running of the Louisiana Cup Distaff at Louisiana Downs. Hodges Photography / Ann Switalski

Net a Bear Turned Back Five Rivals in the $50,000 Louisiana Cup Distaff

The first turf  stakes of the card, the $50,000 Louisiana Cup Distaff, drew six fillies and mares who traveled a mile and one-sixteenth over the Franks Turf Course. Due to heavy rain earlier this week, it was listed as good and proved no obstacle for Net a Bear.

 

The 5-year-old filly by Awesome Bet out of the Eddington mare Edacious Reality, owned by Maximo Lamarche and Federico Deltoro, was the 3-2 morning line favorite. The  multiple-stakes winner for breeders Lora Pitre and Elaine Carroll exited a victory in the $60,000 Opelousas Stakes at Evangeline Downs on July 2.

 

Tim Thornton patiently saved ground, tracking familiar foe Offspring in splits of :24.47; :49.51 and 1:14.18 before taking the lead and finishing in 1:45.01.

 

“She’s such a nice filly to ride,” said Thornton. “I have always ridden her with a game plan, but know she will be there when I call on her. I let her settle and when I called on her, she was game. Allen’s done a great job with her.”

 

Net a Bear (4.40) improved her record to seven wins from 25 starts. Her check for $30,000 increased her earnings to $352,070.

 

Oak Tree Stable’s Offspring completed the exacta with Fort Polk running third and Freda’s Smooth Air running fourth.

 

Jockey Joe Stokes guides True Deal to victory in the11th running of the Louisiana Cup Juvenile at Louisiana Downs. Hodges Photography / Ann Switalski

True Deal Resurgent in the $50,000 Louisiana Cup Juvenile

The fourth race of the afternoon was the $50,000 Louisiana Cup Juvenile for Louisiana-bred 2-year-old colts and geldings.

 

Morning line favoritism in the six furlong stakes went to Norman Stables LLC True Deal, a colt by True Deal out of the Big Brown mare Hilarious Brown. Although he did not leave the gates as the favorite, he would not be denied as he closed gamely under jockey Joe Stokes to win his first career stakes.

 

Sent off as the third choice in the nine horse field, True Deal (12.60) finished by a neck over Family Creed in a final time of 1:12.97.

 

Trainer Lonnie Briley has been pleased with efforts of his colt who is sired by leading first crop Louisiana stallion El Deal.

 

“I’ve liked him a lot,” said Briley. “He’s easy to train and doesn’t make any mistakes. His sire is by Munnings, so even though he ran well today, I think he can go faster and should do very well either stretching out or on the turf.”

 

The victory marked the second win for breeder Cloyce C. Clark Jr.Tambourine Star finished third behind Family Creed with longshot Son Carlos completing the superfecta.

 

Chu Chu’s Legacy wins the 42nd running of the Louisiana Cup Sprint at Louisiana Downs. Hodges Photography

Chu Chu’s Legacy Earns His Second Louisiana Cup Day Score Taking the $50,000 Louisiana Cup Sprint

Allen Landry’s Chu Chu’s Legacy is no stranger to success on statebred racing stakes days. He won the $50,000 Louisiana Cup Juvenile last year and turned back a very tough field of sprinters today as he captured the $50,000 Louisiana Cup Sprint.

 

It was the second 2021 Louisiana Cup victory for owner/trainer Landry, who was reached by phone following the win.

 

“He’s just amazing,” said Landry who purchased the colt for a modest $4,000 at the Equine Sales Mixed Sale. “I was a little leary of running him against older horses, but he does everything I have asked him to do.”

 

Rider Joe Stokes took control at the top of the stretch and drew off to finish 1 ½ lengths ahead of Scarlettsblackjack in 1:10.79.

 

“He broke well and sat behind the speed,” said Stokes. “When I asked him, he just responded. He’s a hell of a horse!”

 

Landry’s wife Sandra named the colt after Chu Chu Perez who worked for the couple as a groom, but passed away last year.

 

Monte Man, who won the 2018 Louisiana Cup Sprint, ran a game third under Gerard Melancon, followed by Half Again..

 

Sent off at odds of 7-1, Chu Chu’s Legacy paid $15.80 for the win, which was his sixth in ten starts. With today’s winner’s share of $30,000, his earnings stand at $206,350.     

 

Lindsey Wade aboard Carlea’s Dream wins the Louisiana Cup Turf Classic. Hodges Photography / Ann Switalski

Carlea’s Dream Splits Rivals in an Exciting $50,000 Louisiana Cup Turf Classic

The $50,000 Louisiana Turf Cup Classic an excellent group of turf specialists competing a mile and one sixteenth over the good turf course.

 

Carlea’s Dream, was installed as the 5-2 morning line choice, lived up to his billing for owner Carl Moore Management. Lindey Wade made the trip to Louisiana Downs to pilot the 4-year-old son of Lea out of the Corinthian mare Beat The Street. Bred by Time Will Tell LLC, Carlea’s Dream won in 1:44.37.

 

“It was so nice to come home and I am grateful to Karen for bringing me in to ride,” said Wade. “I knew this horse had it in him and could win a Louisiana-bred stakes.

 

The bay gelding had won two turf races this year in Texas. Trainer Karen Jacks said that he will stay in Louisiana and run in an upcoming turf stakes.

 

“He’s just like his name, a dream to train,” she said. “He loves the turf, like all horses sired by

Lea. His only two bad efforts were races taken off the turf.”

 

Britts a Closer, who broke his maiden on the Franks Turf Course last year, was in contention and held for second under leading rider Joel Dominguez. Mangelsen was third with Unrestricted completing the superfecta.

 

 

Strong Beauty with Carlos Marquez aboard wins the 39th running of the Louisiana Cup Filly and Mare Sprint. Hodges Photography / Ann Switalski

Strong Beauty Won Her First Stakes in the $50,000 Louisiana Cup Filly and Mare Sprint

Trainer Ron Faucheux had a full group of stakes entrants, but had to wait until the final feature of the day, the $50,000 Louisiana Filly and Mare Sprint, to visit the winner’s circle.

 

Strong Beauty,  owned by Golden Rock Thoroughbreds, defeated a  highly competitive group of distaffers, including defending champion Tin Roof Farms LLC’s Snowball, and LTBA champion 4-year-old filly Our Lost Love.

 

Ridden by Carlos Marquez, the daughter of Overanalyze, earned her first stakes score, closing from off the pace to win the six furlong contest in 1:11.69.

 

“We got her at the Fair Grounds and she has just continued to progress,”said Faucheaux. “She is now in her top form and I expect good things from her as we move forward. Carlos rode a perfect race. This was very exciting!”

 

Crescentcitypretty ran second, followed by Snowball and Dance Away.

 

Strong Beauty ($10.80) will be pointed to Louisiana Champions Day at Fair Grounds, according to her trainer.

 

Registration Still Open for the Annual Charity Golf Tournament

Louisiana Downs will host its annual Charity Golf Tournament at Northwood Hills Golf Club in Shreveport, Louisiana on Wednesday September 1.The event will benefit The Winner’s Circle Church and Chaplain Jimmy Sistrunk for his many programs to assist the Louisiana Downs racing community and backstretch workers.

 

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 personor $320 for a four-person team.  The fee includes green fees, golf cart, lunch, and Super Derby t-shirt/cap. Trophies will be presented to the first, second and third-place teams.

 

The deadline to enter is Wednesday, August 25th. 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.  For further information, please contact Jennifer Sokol at (318) 741-2512 or (318) 573-5830.

 

Louisiana Downs Live Racing Schedule

Live racing takes place Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday until the conclusion of the 2021 Thoroughbred meet on Tuesday, September 21. For more information on the 84-day racing season and special events, visit https://www.caesars.com/harrahs-louisiana-downs/racing.

DELTA DOWNS RELEASES STAKES SCHEDULE FOR 2021-22 THOROUGHBRED SEASON

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– 84-DAY MEETING GETS UNDERWAY WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 13 –

 

VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel today announced its 2021-22 Thoroughbred stakes schedule. The track will offer 26 stakes races during an 84-day season that runs from October 13 through March 5. The stakes schedule includes $2.275 million in total purse money.

 

This year’s stakes activity will kick off on opening weekend with a pair of added-money events. On Friday, October 15 the track will host the $100,000 Magnolia for Louisiana-bred fillies and mares and on Saturday, October 16 the $100,000 Gold Cup for Louisiana-bred 3-year-olds and upward will take center stage to close out the first week of racing.

 

The richest race day of the season will happen on Saturday, February 5 when Delta Downs hosts another edition of Louisiana Premier Night, which will offer a total of $895,000 in purse money for Louisiana-bred horses. The highlight of the evening will come in the $150,000 Louisiana Premier Night Championship for older horses. The most famous winner of the Championship was Star Guitar, who scored four consecutive victories in the race between 2009 and 2012 and later finished his career as the highest earning Louisiana-bred in history with over $1.7 million in purses won.

 

There will also be a couple of important simulcast dates to take note of during the upcoming season. This year’s set of 14 Breeders’ Cup races will take place on Friday, November 5 and Saturday, November 6. All the action from Del Mar in Southern California and can be watched and wagered on inside Delta Downs’ spacious OTB.

 

After Delta Downs’ opening weekend, the track will race each Wednesday and Thursday afternoon at 12:55 pm Central Time and each Friday and Saturday nights at 5:55 pm. Local race fans and simulcast enthusiasts will notice a major improvement to the track during nighttime race cards this year, as a new state-of-the-art lighting system is being installed prior to the start of the meet. Last year the track unveiled a brand new digital toteboard after Hurricane Laura that was a big hit among patrons.

 

To view the entire stakes schedule and to get more information about the upcoming season at Delta Downs, visit the track’s website at www.deltadownsracing.com. Fans can also get information on Facebook with the track’s page ‘Delta Downs Racing’ and on Twitter with the handle @deltaracing.

Delta Downs Racetrack Casino and Hotel, a property of Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE:BYD), features exciting fun, casino action, live horse racing and great dining experiences. Delta Downs is located in Vinton, Louisiana, on Delta Downs Drive. From Lake Charles, take Exit 7 and from Texas, take Exit 4.

Supplement Added for Texas Summer Yearling Sale

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The 2021 Texas Summer Yearling and Horses of Racing Age Sale will feature five supplemental hips, all added to the body of the catalog and available online in the interactive catalog at www.TTAsales.com. The Texas Thoroughbred Association will provide a supplement paper copy of these hips available at the sales pavilion before and during the sale. Additionally, the hips will automatically be updated and added into the Equineline catalog iPad app.

 

The supplement hips are:

  • Hip 13: B C by Midnight Lute out of Moneybru; consigned by Stuart Morris, Agent for Highclere, Inc.
  • Hip 85: Ch F by California Chrome out of Salty Mo; consigned by Craig Singer
  • Hip 117: B F by California Chrome out of Better Be Better; consigned by Craig Singer
  • Hip 185: Gr/Ro F by Cupid out of Colombe; consigned by KP Sales, Agent
  • Hip 243: DkB/Br F by Liaison out of Raffie’s Treasure; consigned by Ellen Caines, Agent
“We’re excited about adding these supplemented horses to our already diverse and strong group of yearlings for this sale,” Sales Director Tim Boyce said. “There’s been quite a bit of interest from prospective buyers this year, thanks in part to the breeders, owners and consignors who have entered quality yearlings. I am looking forward to getting the horses on the grounds at Lone Star Park and our sale on August 30.”

The supplement paper catalog will be available at and around the sale pavilion at Lone Star Park. The horses in the supplement are already added into the interactive online catalog available at www.TTAsales.com. Online bidding will be available for the sale, and the deadline to register for online bidding is Monday, August 23.

The sale will be held at Lone Star Park on August 30 at 10am CT and will be livestreamed on the sale website.

SPENDTHRIFT FARM’S B. WAYNE HUGHES PASSES AWAY

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B. Wayne Hughes died peacefully, Wednesday, August 18, 2021 in his home at his beloved Spendthrift Farm with loving family by his side.

The longtime horse racing visionary and leader – best known within the industry for returning Spendthrift to prominence – was 87.

Hughes had been one of the sport’s most influential figures of the 21st century, with wide-ranging contributions that will forever impact Thoroughbred breeding and racing. He purchased Spendthrift in 2004 and traded in his residence of California for a life on the farm in Lexington. Hughes quickly began restoring the historic brand and its land, renovating almost all the farm’s signature structures and returning Spendthrift as a viable commercial breeding operation.

In 2008, he stood his first four home-raced stallions led by emerging kingpin sire Malibu Moon, who passed away this May at the age of 24. Hughes would revolutionize the business relationship between stallion owner and mare owner through ground-breaking programs, most notably “Share The Upside” which he designed to bonus the breeder with a vested interest in a stallion. Under Hughes, Spendthrift’s slogan became “The Breeders’ Farm” and he operated under a motto heard often by those who worked with him: ‘Breeders are the backbone of our industry’.

“We have to take care of the breeder and level the playing field between stallion owner and breeder,” said Hughes, upon launching Share The Upside in 2010. “You have people here, they have a farm, they need to sell their foal, they need to have a chance of making money. I need to provide the best investment programs I can. Breeders participate in making these stallions, so they should be participating in the success, too.”

The inaugural stallion he offered through the Share The Upside program was his home-raced Grade One winner Into Mischief, who is now one of the most valuable horses in the world after a meteoric ascent to the top of the stallion ranks. Into Mischief is the reigning champion general sire in North America in 2019 & 2020 and is on a record-setting pace again in 2021.

Hughes also experienced his greatest successes as a racehorse owner with close relatives to Into Mischief. Beholder, a younger half-sister to the great sire, campaigned in Hughes’ famed quartered purple and orange colors to become one of only three female horses in history to be a four-time champion after taking Eclipse Award honors in 2012, 2013, 2015 & 2016. She was a three-time Breeders’ Cup champ and won 11 Grade Ones before retiring to Spendthrift where she currently resides as a broodmare.

After Beholder dominated males by 8 ¼ lengths in the 2015 Pacific Classic (G1) at Del Mar, Hughes said: “I’ve had a few good horses in the past, but she is the first horse that makes me feel lucky to be the owner. I’ve never had that feeling before. I think it’s called pride.”

Last year, Hughes, in his 50th year as a racehorse owner, achieved the single greatest feat in horse racing by winning the elusive Kentucky Derby (G1) with the three-year-old colt Authentic – a son of Into Mischief. Authentic had become the embodiment of the pioneer spirit of Hughes, whose innovative marketing 10 years prior had given Into Mischief the best opportunity to become a successful sire. Authentic also represented that spirit through MyRacehorse.com, an upstart online horse racing ownership company that Hughes boldly championed by offering anyone with $206 an equity-based microshare of his Kentucky Derby contender.

Nearly one year ago, Authentic won the Derby for Hughes, his partners and 5,314 every-day people who had bought in and came along for the journey. Authentic would go on to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) over older horses last November with Hughes in attendance at Keeneland to accept the trophy in the winner’s circle. It would be the colt’s final start before retiring to stud duty at Spendthrift and being named as North America’s ‘Horse of the Year’ for 2020.

Born Bradley Wayne in Gotebo, Oklahoma, Hughes was raised the son of a sharecropper. He moved to California as a child and was introduced to horse racing by his father who took him to Santa Anita Park for the first time as an 11-year-old. Hughes was renowned for having an unparalleled work ethic from a young age, starting a newspaper delivery route as a teenager to help pay for college. He served as an officer in the Navy and went on to graduate from the University of Southern California before achieving tremendous success in business, starting such companies as Public Storage and American Homes 4 Rent.

Shortly after retiring as CEO of Public Storage in 2002, he turned much of his focus to horse racing and campaigned his first champion racehorse in 2003 when 2-year-old colt Action This Day captured the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) at Hughes’ home track of Santa Anita. It would be his first of six Breeders’ Cup wins and six Eclipse Award wins.

Said Hughes after being honored as the 2020 Galbreath Award winner by the University of Louisville: “Thoroughbred horse racing has been a tremendous passion of mine ever since my father took me to the races as a young boy. It’s something he and I got to share together, and I’ve been fortunate to be able to make it a large part of my life and share it with so many that are dear to me. There are few thrills greater than what horse racing can provide, and it is our responsibility to do a better job of improving this great sport so that future generations can enjoy it as much as I have.”

To have known Wayne Hughes is to know he loved life, his country, USC and its football team, the horses, and his family. Following the death of his youngest son Parker in 1998, Hughes passionately committed himself to the curing of childhood Leukemia, ultimately accomplishing astonishing results in that area.

Hughes was preceded in death by his father William Lawrence, his mother Blanche, and his son Parker. He is survived by his wife Patricia, his son Wayne Jr. (Molly), his daughter Tamara Gustavson (Eric), his grandchildren Kylie Barraza (Pat), Skylar Hughes, Grant and Greer Gustavson, his sister Sue Caldwell and family, Frank, Bill, Allen, and a host of beloved cousins and friends.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the B. Wayne Hughes Fund at UK HealthCare, P.O. Box 34184, Lexington, KY, 40588.

FIRST CONDITION BOOK NOW AVAILABLE FOR OAKLAWN MEET

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The richest meet in the 118-year history of Oaklawn is set to begin on Dec. 3 and will feature maiden special weights for $84,000 and open allowances starting at $100,000. Overall, the 66-day season will offer purses between $45 million and $50 million.

Stall applications and the first condition book are now available at http://www.oaklawn.com/racing/horsemen/. Stall applications are due on Thursday, Oct. 21.

“Our slogan has been ‘A New Level of Racing’ the last few years and that’s exactly what we intend to deliver,” Oaklawn President Louis Cella said. “Our purses will be among the highest in the country between December and May, and the entertainment value we offer will be second to none. Our luxury hotel, spa and event center are fully open. The excitement heading into our live season has never been greater.”

Oaklawn plans to offer nine races per card, while racing on a Friday – Sunday basis with a few exceptions. There will be no racing Christmas week or Easter Sunday. Oaklawn will race Monday, Feb. 17, Presidents’ Day. Purses for claiming races will range between a minimum of $25,000 and $55,000 in book one.

In support of its top level of racing, Oaklawn previously announced, subject to regulatory approval, the prohibition of Clenbuterol or any other beta2-agonist within 120 days of a race. This restriction is part of Oaklawn’s ongoing commitment to enhancing the safety and integrity of its racing program.

Conducted by Industrial Labs, the presence of Clenbuterol and other beta2-agonist will be determined through blood, urine and hair follicle testing.

Oaklawn’s 2021-2022 season runs from Friday, Dec. 3 to Sunday, May 8. The schedule also features a total of 36 stakes worth $12,300,000, highlighted by the $1.25 million Arkansas Derby (G1), which received a $250,000 increase for 2022 and three $1 million stakes races – $1 million Rebel Stakes (G2), $1 million Oaklawn Handicap (G2) and $1 million Apple Blossom Handicap (G1).

Reservations for the Oaklawn Hotel during the 2021-2022 live meet can be made by visiting http://www.Oaklawn.com or calling 501-363-4625.

LOUISIANA DOWNS ANNOUNCES MANDATORY PICK 5 PAYOUT ON LOUISIANA CUP DAY SATURDAY, AUGUST 21

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Bossier City, LA – Louisiana Downs has received approval from the Louisiana State Racing Commission (LSRC) to offer a mandatory payout on their Pick 5 Wager, which will cover races three through seven on Louisiana Cup Day,  Saturday, August 21.

 

There will be carryover of $349,763 heading into Louisiana Cup Day. First post is 2:45 pm (Central) for the seven-race card which features six stakes for accredited Louisiana-breds with purses of $50,000 each.  The Pick 5, which is offered daily for a minimum wager of .50 cents, covers the following races:

 

Race 3     $50,000 Louisiana Cup Distaff

Race 4     $50,000 Louisiana Cup Juvenile

Race 5     $50,000 Louisiana Cup Sprint

Race 6     $50,000 Louisiana Cup Turf Classic

Race 7     $50,000 Louisiana Cup Filly and Mare Sprint

 

“We approached the racing commission last week when the Pick 5 carryover began to grow,” said David Heitzmann, Louisiana Downs Director of Racing. “Louisiana Cup Day is an exceptional showcase for Louisiana Thoroughbreds and offers black-type purses for the breeders as well as excellent wagering opportunities for our horseplayers. We look forward to a great afternoon!”

 

Louisiana Downs track announcer John McGary and regional racing publicist Martha Claussen will conduct a free handicapping seminar at 1:00 pm in the Inside Rail, located on the first floor of the grandstand. They will offer analysis and their selections for each of the races and Pick 5 on the Louisiana Cup Day card. In addition, contributing handicappers Rachel McLaughlin of Indiana Grand, NHC Hall of Fame champion Trey Stiles and Nick Tammaro, an eight-time NHC qualifier and morning-line oddsmaker, will share their Pick 5 tickets on Twitter.

 

QUALITY FIELDS ASSEMBLED FOR THE SIX LOUISIANA CUP DAY STAKES ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 21 AT LOUISIANA DOWNS

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 Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association (LTBA) Will Draw for Two Scholarships

 

Bossier City, LA – The annual Louisiana Cup Day at Louisiana Downs will take place  Saturday, August 21.  First post is 2:45 pm (Central) for the seven-race card which will feature six stakes for accredited Louisiana-breds with purses of $50,000 each.

 

The stakes action, which gets underway in the second race of the card, features a mix of multiple-stakes winning Louisiana champions and as well as a showcase for the rising stars of the Pelican state.  Here is a preview of the contentious Louisiana Cup stakes.

 

Charged Temp Leads the Field in the $50,000 Louisiana Cup Juvenile Fillies

Stakes action gets underway in the second race, the $50,000 Louisiana Cup Juvenile Fillies. Eight accredited 2-year-old Louisiana-bred fillies will compete at six furlongs.

 

Brittlyn Stable, Inc’s homebred Charged Temp makes her first start in Louisiana after breaking her maiden on July 10 at Monmouth Park and followed that with a sixth-place finish in the $75,000 Colleen B on the turf. Jose Camejo trains the daughter of Star Guitar, three-time Louisiana Stallion of the Year. She will break from the far outside post under 2020 leading Louisiana Downs jockey rider Joel Dominguez.

 

Also making her Louisiana debut will be Streak of Silver who won the $100,000 Texas Thoroughbred Futurity on July 10 at Lone Star Park. Owned by Carl Moore Management, LLC, the daughter of Graydar was bred in Louisiana by  Larry Romero & Cradle Song Farm. Trainer Karen Jacks retains the riding services of  Lindey Wade, who currently tops the jockey standings at Canterbury Park, to pilot the gray filly.

 

“She’s built like a 4-year-old gelding and has matured a lot,” said Jacks. “We think highly of this filly, who is classy and smart.”

 

Current Louisiana leading freshman sires will be well-represented in this feature with Gerald Bruno Jr.’s Free Like a Girl representing the state’s top ranked first-crop stallion El Deal. Trained by Chasey Deville Pomier, she will make her fifth start off a solid maiden-breaking score last month at Evangeline Downs.

Iron Fist, who ranks just below El Deal with four winners  this year, has sired two entrants in the field:  Iron Banner, trained by Brett Brinkman for owner Menard Thoroughbreds LLC and Buckley Bunny, bred and owned by Whispering Oaks Farm, LLC.  Trainer Steve Flint was impressed with her victory on June 5 at Evangeline Downs.

 

“She’s tough like (tennis superstar) Serena Williams,” said Flint of Buckley Bunny. “She showed dominance in her training, so much so, that I ran her against the boys in her first out. She hit the gate, but still won on a muddy track!”

 

Diego Saenz has the return call aboard Buckley Bunny at odds of 6-1.

 

Net a Bear and Offspring Renew Their Rivalry in the $50,000 Louisiana Cup Distaff

The first turf  stakes of the card, the $50,000 Louisiana Cup Distaff, drew seven fillies and mares who will travel a mile and one-sixteenth over the Franks Turf Course.

 

Net a Bear, a 5-year-old filly by Awesome Bet out of the Eddington mare Edacious Reality, owned by Maximo Lamarche and Federico Deltoro, is the 3-2 morning line favorite. She is also a multiple-stakes winner for breeders Lora Pitre and Elaine Carroll with victories in the 2019 Elge Rasberry at Louisiana Downs and Louisiana Champions Day Turf at Fair Grounds and most recently the $60,000 Opelousas Stakes at Evangeline Downs on July 2.

 

Trainer Allen Landry will give a leg up to Tim Thornton aboard the six-time winner who has earned $322,070 in 25 starts.

 

“I always remind people not to forget about Net a Bear,” stated Landry. “She is a quality mare who always puts on a good performance.”

 

Trainer Edward Johnston, who won the last two editions of the Distaff with Is Too reported that the daughter of Midshipman, who won seven races for Baronne Farms LLC,  is retired and in foal. However, he looks forward to a good effort from Offspring for breeder/ owner Oak Tree Stable. The 5-year-old mare by Into Mischief won the Red Camelia at Fair Grounds on March 6 as well as the Louisiana Legends Turf Distaff, which was run off the turf on June 5. Diego Saenz will guide the 2-1 second choice. Offspring and Net a Bear have faced each other four times this year and are tied with two wins each.

 

“It’s tough when some of these races come off the turf as she is better on the grass,” said Johnston. “She’s a very smart mare and Diego and I have had quite a bit of success together.”

 

Recent Louisiana Downs winners Fort Polk and My Little Jen are also among the contenders in the Louisiana Cup Distaff, which will run as the third race on the card.

 

 

True Deal Takes on Eight Rivals in the $50,000 Louisiana Cup Juvenile

The fourth race of the afternoon is the $50,000 Louisiana Cup Juvenile for Louisiana-bred 2-year-old colts and geldings.  A field of nine will compete at six furlongs on the main track.

 

Morning line favoritism goes to Norman Stables LLC True Deal, a colt by True Deal out of the Big Brown mare Hilarious Brown. He ran second in his Evangeline Downs debut on June 5 and won by three lengths in his second start one month later. Trainer Lonnie Briley teams with rider Joe Stokes for the colt’s first stakes appearance.

 

Whispering Hill Farms homebred Feisty Fist broke his maiden at first asking over a sloppy track on May 20 at Evangeline Downs. The gelded son of Iron First prepped for this with a bullet five furlong drill ten days ago and trainer Steve Flint is high on his juvenile.

 

“Winning on a sloppy track is one thing; that was a monsoon,” stated Flint. “He ran a very good race and with his pedigree, we know he can go further. His work (on August 6) was phenomenal. We look for a very good effort from him.”

 

The field also includes Autumns Strong Man, a colt by Strong Mandate, owned and bred by Autumn Hill Farms Racing Stables, Inc. He closed for a victory here on July 13 in a $22,000 maiden special weight for trainer Gary Husak. Jockey Emanuel Nieves has the call and will break from post position four. Tambourine Star will make his second career start for Brittlyn Stable, Inc. after running a game second on June 20 at Monmouth Park. The son of Star Guitar is trained by Jose Camejo and will be ridden by Joel Dominguez.

 

Post time for the Louisiana Cup Juvenile will be 4:03 pm (Central).

 

 

Trainer Ron Faucheaux Loaded for the $50,000 Louisiana Cup Sprint  

The $50,000 Louisiana Cup Sprint promises to be a very exciting race on several levels. The six furlong main track feature attracted 11 notable Louisiana-bred sprinters, including the ageless and very popular Monte Man.

 

Still going strong as an 8-year-old, the son of Custom For Carlos, bred by Val Murrell, is a multiple-stakes winner was claimed for just $5,000 by Ivery Sisters Racing. He has returned for the past three runnings of the Sprint, following his victory in the 2018 running of the race. He ran third last year and returns to Louisiana Downs with a record of 17 wins from 48 starts and $728,723 in earnings. Trainer Ron Faucheaux marvels at the staying power of the veteran.

 

“He’s still very consistent and even though his numbers may have regressed, he still has so much fight in him,” said Faucheaux. “He ran a huge race at Fair Grounds on Champions Day and his recent races haven’t taken a lot out of him.”

 

Jockey Gerard Melancon, who won his 5,000th career win on June 10 at Evangeline Downs, will guide the bay gelding at odds of 7-2.

 

Louisiana native Faucheux, who has been training since 2009, has three additional entrants in the Sprint.  Bertie’s Galaxy was the 2020 Louisiana Cup Spring runner-up for owner Allen Cassedy. The 5-year son of Greeley’s Galaxy won the $70,000 Louisiana Legends Sprint on June 5 at Evangeline Downs and an allowance prep three weeks later. Diego Saenz will ride.

 

“He won the Louisiana Legends very impressively and drew off to another nice win after that,” added Faucheaux. “I expect another good effort on Saturday.”

 

His other two entrants are Winalot Racing LLC’s  Half Again, a full brother to Ours to Run, who will make his stakes debut under Juan Vargas and Afleet Ascent, owned by Lane Cortez.

 

Owner/trainer Allen Landry has a very capable sprinter in Chu Chu’s Legacy, a son of Bind, who won the 2020 Louisiana Cup Juvenile and was an impressive winner in the $70,000 Cheval over a sloppy track on June 5 at Evangeline Downs. Jockey Joe Stokes continues a very successful association with Landry and will break from post six.

 

Landry’s wife Sandra named the colt after Chu Perez who worked for the couple as a groom and passed away last year. The modest $4,000 Equine Sales Mixed Sale purchase enters the Sprint with earning of $176,350 in nine starts.

 

 

Carlea’s Dream Faces 10 in Wide Open Edition of the $50,000 Louisiana Cup Turf Classic

The $50,000 Louisiana Turf Cup Classic attracted eleven runners going a mile and one-sixteenth over the Franks Turf Course. Several proven turf stakes winners are entered with a firm turf course expected for Saturday afternoon.


Carlea’s Dream, has been installed as the 5-2 morning line choice. Owner by Carl Moore Management,  the 4-year-old son of Lea out of the Corinthian mare Beat The Street was bred by Time Will Tell LLC and has won two turf races this year in Texas.  Trainer Karen Jacks looks forward to his debut at Louisiana Downs.

 

“He’s just like his name, a dream to train,” she said. “He loves the turf, like all horses sired by Lea. His only two bad efforts were races taken off the turf.  Lindey Wade had two days off from Canterbury Park, so we are lucky he will come in to ride for us.”

 

Other contenders include defending champion Budro Talking who closed gamely under Joel Dominguez. Owned by Jack Randall the 6-year-old son of Tale of Ekati, gave his trainer, former jockey Keith Austin his first stakes win as a conditioner. Gerald Perron’s homebred Grand Luwegee, who won the 2020 Louisiana Champions Day Turf at Fair Grounds. Maga Man makes his Louisiana Downs debut for owner/breeder Whispering Oaks Farm LLC and conditioner Steve Flint. Trainer Ron Faucheax will saddle Allen Cassedy’s  Mangelsenwho has won three of his last four turf starts and will take on stakes company under rider Carlos Lozada.

 

Defending Champion Snowball Returns in the $50,000 Louisiana Cup Filly and Mare Sprint

The $50,000 Louisiana Filly and Mare Sprint will close out Louisiana Cup Day with a field of 11 accomplished fillies.

 

It will be a very emotional victory for defending for the defending champion, Snowball due to the tragic and untimely passing of owner Matt Jeffrey of Tin Roof Farms LLC. He was in Canada visiting his parents earlier this month when he was stricken with a heart attack and passed away at just the age of 45. Snowball was a cherished member of the family with Jeffrey proudly explaining that his 8-year-old daughter Payton came up with her name as they spotted her at the 2017 Equine Sale of Louisiana Open Yearling Sale.

 

The daughter of Apriority has become an accomplished sprinter for trainer Sam Breaux, who has saddled the striking gray mare in 30 career starts. She added a sixth victory on May 14, winning the Evangeline Downs Distaff. Her career bankroll stands at $311,780. Regular rider Diego Saenz will ride the 3-1 favorite from post ten.

 

“This will be a very emotional race for his family,” said Breaux.  “Matt loved this horse. I wasn’t sure of running her due to the passing of Matt, but his wife, Pharaby, gave her blessing. ”

 

Our Lost Love will return for trainer Joey Foster. Bred and Tri-Star Racing LLC.  The 4-year-old daughter of Half Ours is just shy of  the $300,000 earnings mark with six wins from 16 starts. Named 2020 Louisiana Thoroughbred 3-Year-old Filly of the Year, she will break just inside of Snowball with Emanuel Nieves in the saddle.

 

“She’s happy and training well,” said Foster. “This is such a special filly to us; she never misses a check and shows up every time we lead her over.”

 

Brittlyn Stable LLC’s Crescentcitypretty brings a two-race win streak into the Filly and Mare Sprint. Joel Dominguez has the call aboard the 5-year-old Bernardini mare, who is trained by Jose Camejo. Whispering Hill Farm LLC’s QuikFast Nhurry defeated Snowball on Louisiana Premier Day at Delta Downs and is a strong contender for trainer Steve Flint and rider Gerard Melancon.

 

Louisiana Cup Day Festivities

Racing fans of all ages are invited to enjoy the festivities offered Saturday at Louisiana Downs. Family-friendly activities include two bounce houses and a water slide. Culinary delights and refreshments from some of the most popular Food Trucks of the Bossier City-Shreveport area, including Geaux Eat Randy (Funnel Cake, Corn Dogs, Tea, and Lemonade), Cotton Candy, Angelo Deli and No Teeth BBQ, will be set up on the track apron.

 

There will also be a live national anthem performance by Teddy Grover at 2:15 pm.

 

Handicapping Preview Show Begins at 1:00 pm

Louisiana Downs track announcer John McGary and regional racing publicist Martha Claussen will team up for a pre-race handicapping preview at 1:00 pm in the Inside Rail, located on the first floor of the grandstand. They will offer analysis and their selections for each of the races on the Louisiana Cup Day card. The seminar is free and open to all racing fans.

 

 

Scholarship Drawings Offered on Louisiana Cup Day

The Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association will award two (2) scholarships, each valued at $1,000 on Louisiana Cup Day.

 

The drawings will take place between the fourth and fifth races. Students must register in person between 1:45 p.m. and 2:45 p.m.at the designated registration booth.

The requirements for the scholarship are as follows:

 

Must be a college student enrolled full-time for Fall 2021.

Must be in good standing with the college or university.

Must be present at the drawing location to win.

Must have university ID number or Social Security number.

The scholarship will be deposited directly into the student’s account at the college or university. The student is asked to know the name and address of the college that they are attending.

 

 

About 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.