LOUISIANA-BRED SUPER FILLY NOW FOUR-FOR-FOUR AT DELTA DOWNS

 

 

VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs hosted the first stakes race of its 2022-23 Thoroughbred season on Friday night and the fans in attendance were treated to a stellar performance by Free Like a Girl, who kept her local record perfect at four-for-four with a victory in the featured $100,000 Magnolia Stakes. The 3-year-old filly was ridden to victory by Pedro Cotto, Jr.

Coming into the race off two consecutive runner-up efforts in graded stakes company, Free Like a Girl stalked the early pace in the seven-furlong test for Louisiana-bred fillies and mares set by Winning Romance, who went the opening quarter mile in 23.37 seconds. At the half-mile point Noneya took a short lead stopping the clock in 47.68, but the advantage was short lived as Free Like a Girl swept to the front while three wide.

In the homestretch Cotto gave the Chasey Pomier trainee the gentlest of reminders as she held Winning Romance at bay to win the Magnolia by 1-1/2 lengths. Snowball finished third, another six lengths behind the top pair. The final running time for the winner was 1:25.92. Each race on the program was contested over a fast track.

Free Like a Girl, who is owned by Gerald Bruno, Jr., Carl Deville, Chasey Deville Pomier and Jerry Caroom, has now won nine-of-18 career starts overall and she earned $60,000 for her Magnolia score on Friday. Her total bankroll now stands at $662,128.

Bred in Louisiana by Kim Renee Stover & Lisa Osborne, Free Like a Girl is a bay filly by El Deal, out of the Flashy Bull mare Flashy Prize.

Sent to the gate as the overwhelming favorite of the fans at odds of 1-9, Free Like a Girl paid $2.20 to win, $2.10 to place and $2.10 to show. Winning Romance returned $3.40 to place and $2.40 to show. Snowball was worth $3 to show.

Delta Downs will close out the opening week action on Saturday with another nine-race program headed by the $100,000 Gold Cup stakes for Louisiana-breds. The card kicks off at 4:55 pm.

For more information about the new season, visit the track’s website at www.deltadownsracing.com. Fans can also get information on Facebook and Twitter.