JORGE LARA TRAINEE SCORES HER FIRST STAKES WITH ALEXANDER CASTILLO UP

 

 

VINTON, LA. – The rains came down hard during this year’s running of the $100,000 My Trusty Cat Stakes at Delta Downs on Friday night. But the weather did not slow down Terrell Jarrett, Jr.’s filly Tensas Candy, who used a perfect trip under jockey Alexander Castillo to snare the first stakes win of her career. The Jorge Lara trainee ran second in the Louisiana Jewel Stakes at Delta Downs on October 14.

The My Trusty Cat is a one-mile race for 2-year-old fillies competing at one mile and the early pace this year was set by Taylors Tap, who showed the way while clicking off the opening quarter mile in 23.97 seconds while running on a muddy track. Tensas Candy was content to lay off the pace in midpack while the heavy favorite Stellar Lady was last in a field five during the early going.

As Taylors Tap swung into the second turn she was confronted by Tensas Candy after going a half-mile in 48.59 and three-quarters in 1:14.20. The challenge was short lived as Tensas Candy grabbed the lead at the head of the lane before a threat came from Stellar Lady, who was gaining momentum quickly while closing ground to the inside of the eventual winner. The pair hit the finish line together in a photo finish, but it was Tensas Candy who got the decision by a half-length. It was another half-length back to Taylors Tap, who held on to third.

The final time for Tensas Candy in the My Trusty Cat was 1:42.26.

Tensas Candy has now won two of four career starts. She earned $60,000 for her win on Friday and now owns a bankroll of $93,800.

Bred in Louisiana by Curt Leake, Tensas Candy is a 2-year-old filly by Twirling Candy, out of the Into Mischief mare Mischievous Belle. She was purchased earlier this year at sale in Texas for $29,000.

Sent to the gate at odds of 5-1, Tensas Candy returned $12.20 to win, $3.40 to place and $2.20 to show. Stellar Lady paid $2.10 to place and $2.10 to show. Taylors Tap was worth $2.40 to show.

Delta Downs will close out the race week on Saturday with another nine-race program that starts at 4:55 pm. The featured race will be the $100,000 Jean Lafitte Stakes for 2-year-olds going one mile.

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

Delta Downs Racetrack Casino and Hotel, a property of Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE:BYD), features exciting casino action, live horse racing and fun 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.