Breeding Shed
Keeping the Membership informed, LTBA President Warren J. Harang, III
Month: February 2023
HISA Opponents Seek National Injunction
HISA officials downplay move, say Congress’ amendment has addressed concerns.
An amended complaint filed in a Louisiana federal court names a host of new states and other entities seeking a national injunction against oversight of important areas of horse racing by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority.
The case referenced originally was filed by the states and racing commissions of Louisiana and West Virginia, the Louisiana Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association and others. A preliminary injunction issued by Judge Terry Doughty of the U. S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana led to a halt of rules enforcement in the two named states by HISA and the Federal Trade Commission.
According to the amended complaint, four other states are now involved in the lawsuit: Arkansas, Mississippi, Nebraska, and Oklahoma. Pari-mutuel racing is held in all of those states except Mississippi. In addition to the racing commissions of Louisiana and West Virginia, new plaintiffs include the Oklahoma Racing Commission and Nebraska Racing and Gaming Commission. Although the state of Arkansas is named in the case, the Arkansas Racing Commission is not a plaintiff.
STALL APPLICATIONS FOR 2023 EVANGELINE DOWNS THOROUGHBRED SEASON DUE BY FEBRUARY 14
THE 84-DAY SEASON BEGINS ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5
OPELOUSAS, LA –The 2023 Thoroughbred season at Evangeline Downs will kick off on Wednesday, April 5. The race meet will feature 84 days of racing, running on a Wednesday through Saturday schedule and concludes on August 26. First post is scheduled for 5:30pm Central time.
Stall applications for horsemen are due by Tuesday, February 14. Horsemen interested in an application can visit the track website at www.evdracing.com and click on the Horsemen’s Info tab. The racing office can be contacted directly at 337-594-3000.
The 2023 stakes schedule begins on April 14 with the running of the Acadiana Stakes for 3-year-old fillies. The following night will feature the Lafayette Stakes for 3-year-olds. Both races are contested over the distance of six furlongs and have a purse of $60,000. May features a couple of stakes during the week of the Kentucky Derby. The EVD Distaff, for 4-year-old and up fillies and mares, will take place on Friday, May 5, with the EVD Classic on Saturday, May 6. Both races will be run over the distance of one mile and each offers a purse of $60,000.
The highlight of each race meet at Evangeline Downs is Louisiana Legends Night. Taking place on Saturday, June 3, the card will include six stake races for Louisiana-bred runners. Each stake race will have a purse of $75,000. Fan favorites Net a Bear and Free Like a Girl were among the winners last year.
A couple of turf stakes on the schedule are the Opelousas Stakes on Friday, June 30 and the John Henry Stakes on Saturday, July 1. The Opelousas, for 3-year-old and up fillies and mares, and the John Henry, for 3-year-olds and up, will each have a purse of $60,000.
The final month of the racing calendar will have a couple of stakes weekends. The Friday, August 4 card will include the $60,000 Spotted Horse, a stake for 3-year-old and up fillies and mares. The $75,000 Evangeline Mile, for 3-year-olds and up, will be contested Saturday, August 5. Louisiana-bred 2-year-olds will take center stage on closing weekend with the D.S “Shine” Young Futurities. The filly division will be run on Friday, August 25, with the colts and geldings division on the final night of the meet, August 26, each with a purse of $60,000. All of the stake races on the calendar will run for a guaranteed purse.
For more information on Evangeline Downs, visit the track’s website at www.evdracing.com. Evangeline Downs information can also be found on Twitter @EVDracing and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/EvangelineDownsRacing.
Evangeline Downs Racetrack Casino and Hotel, a property of Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE:BYD), features exciting casino action, live horse racing, the Fan Duel Sportsbook and fun dining experiences. Evangeline Downs is located in Opelousas, Louisiana, off I-49 on Cresswell Lane at Exit 18.
Texas Casino Legislation Gives Licensing Edge To Racetracks
Texas State Rep. Charlie Geren (R-Fort Worth) on Friday filed House Joint Resolution 97 that would authorize casino gaming at seven destination resorts across the state and require license applicants be limited to racetrack associations or designees of those associations.
The legislation seeks to amend the Texas Constitution and give Texans the opportunity to vote on the issue this November. State Sen. Carol Alvarado (D-Houston) previously filed a similar resolution in the Senate.
If passed and approved in a statewide vote, the casinos would be regulated by a newly created Texas Gaming Commission. Geren projects the casinos would create tens of thousands of jobs, billions of dollars in economic development through tourism, and billions more in tax revenue to state and local governments.
Sam Houston Race Park Puts Simulcasting On Hold
The Houston track steps back from announcement to resume simulcasting Feb. 3.
On the day Sam Houston Race Park intended to resume interstate simulcasting, the Houston racetrack took a step back and has put that plan on hold citing the need for a legal review of the “many complexities” surrounding recent court action and law amendments by Congress related to the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority.
“We have determined more time is needed to fully evaluate the many legal complexities surrounding recent court decisions and the HISA amendment enacted by Congress at the end of last year,” said a statement released by Sam Houston Feb. 3.
The decision to resume simulcasting followed a Jan. 31 ruling by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals that denied a request by HISA and the Federal Trade Commission to reverse a decision that the HISA is facially unconstitutional. The appellate court had Nov. 18 reversed a decision of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas that had upheld the constitutionality of the HISA after it was challenged by the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, multiple state HBPA affiliates, the State of Texas, and the Texas Horse Racing Commission. Since the initial Fifth Circuit ruling, Congress amended the language of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act to include “clarifying language” that shores up the FTC’s oversight of HISA.
TOUCHUPONASTAR DOMINATES IN THE $150,000 LOUISIANA PREMIER NIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP AT DELTA DOWNS
FREE LIKE A GIRL SURPASSES $800,000 IN EARNINGS WHILE WINNING THE DISTAFF
VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs hosted its richest program of the season on Saturday evening as the 20th edition of Louisiana Premier Night took center stage. The 12-race program featured 10 stakes races and $980,000 in total purse money for Louisiana-bred horses.
The featured race on the program was the $150,000 Louisiana Premier Night Championship. The favorite, Touchuponastar did not disappoint in the race, winning easily under jockey Tim Thorton, who notched a pair of wins on the rich program.
Touchuponastar, who is owned by retired NFL quarterback Jake Delhomme’s Set Hut Stables and trained by Jeff Delhomme, was expected to set the pace in the 1 1-16-mile test for 4-year-olds and up, but an early lead was not in the cards as Brian’s Iron Mike shot to the front in the initial strides after Touchuponastar stumbled when the gates opened.
Thornton appeared to struggle with his mount early after a rough start, but he settled down and angled off the rail entering the first turn of the two-turn race. The opening quarter mile was clicked off in 23.65 seconds by Brian’s Iron Mike while Thornton guided his mount into a stalking position onto the backstretch. When the half-mile was reached in 47.47, Brian’s Iron Mike was feeling the pressure from Touchuponastar and eventually gave way to the eventual winner, who clicked off a rapid time of 1:12.89 for three quarters.
Turning for home the outcome was never in doubt, as Touchuponastar increased his lead and cruised to a final winning margin of 2-1/2 lengths over late runner Behemah Star, while recording a final time of 1:45.53. Ballinonabudjet wound up third, another three lengths behind the runner-up.
After the race, Thornton raved about Touchuponastar, whom he has ridden in all but one of his seven career starts.
“He’s a class act; does everything you ask of him,” stated the winning rider. “He stumbled out of the gate, but I was never worried.”
Touchuponastar has now won four consecutive races and five-of-seven starts overall. He banked another $90,000 for the win on Saturday and his earnings now stand at $253,100.
Bred in Louisiana by Coteau Grove Farms, Touchuponastar is a 4-year-old gelding by Star Guitar, out of the Lion Heart mare Touch Magic. He was purchased for $15,000 as yearling.
Sent off at odds of 6-5 by the fans, Touchuponastar returned $4.40 to win, $2.80 to place and $2.10 to show. Behemah Star was worth $3.20 to place and $2.60 to show. Ballinonabudjet paid $2.80 to show.
In other action on Louisiana Premier Night, Free Like a Girl won the $125,000 Distaff under jockey Pedro Cotto, Jr. for trainer Chasey Deville Pomier. The multiple graded stakes placed 4-year-old filly notched her 11thwin from 23 career starts in the race for owners Gerald Bruno, Jr., Carl J. Deville, Chasey Deville Pomier and Jerry Caroom. The $75,000 winner’s paycheck raised Free Like a Girl’s lifetime bankroll up to $829,878.
Race favorite Bron and Brow used a rail-skimming trip up jockey Rey Gutierrez to claim victory in the $100,000 Sprint. The Mark Casse trainee was well behind the leaders early in the five-furlong affair but found a seam on the inside of leader Takes Two to Tango in the stretch before drawing clear to win easily. Bron and Brow, a 4-year-old by Gormley, is owned by Gary Barber and has now won five-of-11 starts while earning $284,670.
Alpine Mist made her stakes debut a winning one in the $100,000 Starlet on Louisiana Premier Night. Under jockey Vicente Del Cid, Alpine Mist pulled the upset at odds of 11-1 for owner/breeder Melissa Cantacuzene and trainer J. Luis Garcia. Alpine Mist, a 3-year-old filly, is now a perfect three-for-three in her career and has earned $108,600.
The $100,000 Prince wasn’t without controversy this year as Allied Racing Stables’ gelding Jack Hammer made it to the wire first in the one-mile test for 3-year-olds but had to survive a jockey’s objection from C. J. McMahon, who rode runner-up Marks Promise. The objection was eventually disallowed, and the W. Bret Calhoun trainee was declared the official winner. Jack Hammer is now undefeated in his three-race career and banked $60,000 for his victory on Saturday night. His fledgling bankroll now stands at $157,755.
This year’s $100,000 Matron featured a dramatic photo finish between Snowball and Ova Charged, who hit the finished line together. After the image was examined by the placing judges, the tote board displayed a dead heat for the win.
Snowball’s effort earned her the eighth victory of her career from 47 overall starts. The 7-year-old mare has now won $470,370 for owner Tin Roof Farms, LLC and trainer Sam Breaux. Snowball was ridden to victory by jockey Vicente Del Cid.
Ova Charged, who was sent off was the heavy favorite while on a five-race winning streak, was ridden by jockey Jose Rodriguez. The Jose Camejo trainee is owned by Brittlyn Stables, Inc. Ova Charged has only suffered defeat once in her nine-race career, and that was in a graded stakes race at Belmont Park in July of 2021. Ova Charged has now earned $364,600 during her stellar career.
The biggest upset of the night came in the $60,000 Gentlemen Starter as Kevin Delahoussaye’s Freedomfi wore down pacesetter Doctor Leo in the stretch of the 1 1/16-mile event. Going off at odds of 31-1, the Glenn Delahoussaye trainee was ridden to victory by Tim Thornton. Freedomfi is now six-for-47 during his career, and he has earned $253,847.
The Mark Hibdon owned and trained D’wild Muffin took the $50,000 Bon Temps Starter under jockey Alex Birzer. The 9-year-old mare has now won six-of-16 career starts and has a bankroll of $114,704. Her local record at Delta Downs now stands at five wins and three seconds from 12 trips to the starting gate.
This year’s $60,000 LAPN Ladies Starter went to Zydeco Music under jockey Rey Gutierrez. The Shane Wilson trainee used a front-running trip to lead all the way before holding off a late challenge by A Wish for Madelyn, who made it close at the wire in the one-mile affair. Owned by Richard Anthony Tompkins, Zyedeco Music has now won 10-of-28 career starts and banked $204,440.
The final race on the card was the $50,000 Ragin Cajun Starter and it was won by Vanessa Motta’s Dixie Street under jockey Tracy Hebert for trainer Sean Alfortish. Dixie street went from last to first in the five-furlong sprint and has now won nine-of-33 career starts. He earned $30,000 for his win and now has a bankroll of $219,520.
Delta Downs has three weeks left in its 2022-23 season. The track will move to a 5:20 pm post time each Wednesday through Saturday until closing night on February 25.
For more information about racing at Delta Downs visit the track’s website at www.deltadownsracing.com. Fans can also get information about through Facebook by visiting the page ‘Delta Downs Racing’. The track’s Twitter handle is @deltaracing.
Rushie’s first foal – a filly – is born in Florida!
Scott, Louisiana USA – February 3, 2023 — Blue Star Racing is proud to announce the arrival of Rushie’s first foal – a filly out of Julia’s Pride (Proud Citizen / Lucy Valentine, by Langfuhr) – bred by Jay Goodwin, Susan Montanye, and Andy Pickerell. Born in Florida, the filly arrived January 31, 2023.
“We couldn’t be more pleased to congratulate the breeders on a really spectacular Rushie filly. She looks to have his powerful shoulder and plenty of leg – which is exactly what we were hoping Rushie would pass along to his progeny,” said Dex Comardelle of Blue Star Racing. “This is a great start to the season.”
Florida-bred Rushie began his stallion career at Pleasant Acres Stallions in 2022 and is now standing at Blue Star Racing in Scott, Louisiana for the 2023 breeding season at $4000 live foal. The Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association provides a lucrative breeding incentive program, making it very attractive to breeders outside its borders, as well as within the state.
From the first crop of Liam’s Map, Rushie won the 2020 G2 Pat Day Mile S. and placed in other graded races, including the G1 Santa Anita Derby and G2 Blue Gras S. His sire, Liam’s Map(Unbridled’s Song / Miss Macy Sue, by Trippi) is a two-time G1 winner of more than $1.3 million. The Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner had six wins and two 2nds from eight starts with a total of six triple-digit Beyer Speed Figures – topping his career with 114 Beyers in his G1 Woodward and G1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile victories. Rushie’s 1st dam, Conquest Angel(Colonel John / More Oats Please, by Smart Strike) was a $300,000 OBS April two-year-old in training purchase. She is by multiple G1 winner millionaire Colonel John (Tiznow / Sweet Damsel, by Turkoman).
The new filly is out of Julia’s Pride (Proud Citizen / Lucy Valentine, by Langfuhr) – a $90,000 two-year-old in training purchase at OBS. The filly’s 2nd dam – Lucy Valentine – is a multiple stakes-placed mare who was in the money 8 out of 9 starts.
For more information on about Rushie and Breaking Lucky and Blue Star Racing, call Dex Comardelle at 985-791-6546 or email: bluestarracingla@gmail.com. Blue Star Racing is located 1627 Renaud Drive, Scott, Louisiana 70583
Fair Grounds Meet Leaders Halfway Through
- Risen Star Possibles Curly Jack and Two Phil’s lead this week’s notable workouts
New Orleans, La (Feb. 2, 2023) – The 80-day meet at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots hit the halfway mark last Thursday, Jan. 26. Here is an overview of the storylines so far. (Note: all stats cover racing through Sunday, Jan. 29).
Two trainers are having an especially remarkable meet, as Bret Calhoun leads all with 26 wins in 87 starts (30%) and Brad Cox is currently in second with 21 first-place finishes, accounting for 42% of his starters.
Cox’s success in the Derby and Oaks prep races accounts for five of those wins, taking the Lecomte (G3), Silverbulletday, Gun Runner, Sugar Bowl, and Letellier.
Three jockeys have risen to the top with Rey Gutierrez leading all with 37 wins. Jareth Loveberry is in 2nd with 34 wins. Both Gutierrez and Loveberry joined the colony last year, finished in the top ten, and are now vying for their first riding title at Fair Grounds. 4-time title winner James Graham sits in third with 33 wins; he’s fighting to make it three years in a row on top.
Godolphin leads the owners with 9 wins in 19 starts (47%). 15 of their runners have finished in the top three (79%). Lothenbach Stables is in second with 8 wins.
Though they don’t have the barns to compete for the titles, here are two of the trainers who deserve recognition for their success in the first half of the meet. Patricia West has racked up 7 wins in 24 races, including her first stakes victory coming on opening day when A G’s Charlotte won the inaugural Big World Stakes. Justin Jeansonne, too, has sent out live runners left and right, winning with eight of them from 34 runners.
The race is on for the apprentice title, and with 13 total Brianne Culp has the 5-win advantage over Sofia Barandela and Treylon Albert.
Returning to the colony this year, Florent Geroux and Corey Lanerie both picked up where they left off when it comes to their winning ways. Geroux, who scored his 2,000th career North American victory here last week, has won 34% of his mounts and Lanerie 21%.
With three sprint stakes wins at the meet – in the Thanksgiving Classic, the Scherer, and the Kenner – the Keith Desormeaux-trained Surveillance leads all horses with $225,000 in earnings. Older router Happy American is 2 for 2 at the current stand, winning both the Tenacious and the Louisiana (G3) for Neil Pessin.
For Louisiana-breds, no one has been more impressive than Touchuponastar, stretching out for the first time to win the Louisiana Champions Day Classic. But the sprinter Bron and Brow deserves mention for backing up his allowance win with a game victory in the inaugural Gary Palmisiano Stakes.
Work tab (notable morning workouts from the past week at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots)
Thursday, Feb.2
Working in company, Curly Jack fired a bullet for trainer Tom Amoss. The Iroquois-winner ran down two stablemates while breezing 5 furlongs in :59.80.
“It’s the work I was looking for with what we were trying to accomplish (having him work in company),” said Amoss.
Curly Jack is pointed to the Risen Star (G2) on Feb. 18.
Last seen in the Silverbulletday, Forest Chimes breezed 4 furlongs in :48.40 for trainer Jason Barkley (6th best of 59 at that distance). No race has been circled yet for this impressive lightly-race filly.
Exiting the Lecomte (G3), a race in which he pulled up late, the Steve Asmussen-trainee Echo Again reappeared on the work tab, clocking 4 furlongs in 1:02.60 (13th best of 18).
Wednesday, Feb. 1
After finishing second in the Lecomte (G3), trainer Larry Rivelli sent Two Phil’s out to breeze 4 furlongs on Wednesday morning with Jareth Loveberry aboard. He went :50.40, the 24th best of 46. Two Phil’s is pointed to the Risen Star (G2) on Feb. 18.
Not having raced since breaking his maiden at Saratoga in August, Disarm posted his fourth local workout on Wednesday. The 3-year-old colt, who could target Louisiana Derby Preview Day on Feb. 18, covered 5 furlongs in 1:01.60 (5th best of 21).
Monday, Jan. 30
A winner on debut for trainer Steve Asmussen, the 3-year-old colt First Defender breezed 5 furlongs in 1:01.40, the best at that distance compared to three workers total.
Texas Once Again Allows Simulcasting Signal Exports
By Daniel Ross
On the back of Tuesday’s decision in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals denying a motion by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) Authority for that court to vacate its recent opinion that the law is unconstitutional, the Texas Racing Commission (TXRC) has reopened the door for Texas tracks to beam their signals out-of-state, with Sam Houston set to begin this Friday.
Last year, the TXRC argued that it was statutorily barred from joining HISA, and because the enabling federal legislation gave the HISA Authority regulatory jurisdiction over the interstate simulcasting of races, the commission prohibited Texan tracks from exporting their signals.
DELTA DOWNS HOSTS 2023 LOUISIANA PREMIER NIGHT ON SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4
NEARLY $1 MILLION IN TOTAL PURSE MONEY TO BE AWARDED TO LOUISIANA’S BEST THOROUGHBREDS DURING 12-RACE PROGRAM
VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs is getting set for the richest race day of the season on Saturday when Louisiana’s most talented racehorses will vie for nearly $1 million in total purse money on Louisiana Premier Night. The annual event features 10 stakes races on a 12-race program that kicks off at 4:50 pm. This will be the 20th renewal of Louisiana Premier Night.
In addition to thrilling action on the racetrack, fans will also be treated to a Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association Last Fan Standing Handicapping Contest with cash prizes awarded to the top five finishers; a special drawing for two (2) $1,000 Louisiana college scholarships, also sponsored by the LTBA; and an appearance by expert handicapper and national horse racing personality Martha Claussen, who will co-host the simulcast show along with track announcer Don Stevens.
The feature race on Saturday will be the $150,000 Louisiana Premier Night Championship for older horses competing at 1-1/16 miles, which will be the 11th race on the card. This year’s headliner attracted a field of nine headed by Set-Hut, LLC’s Touchuponastar (3-1 morning line favorite), who will be ridden by jockey Tim Thornton. The Jeff Delhomme trainee enters the event on a three-race winning streak and most recently defeated four other Championship runners in the Louisiana Classic at Fair Grounds on Champions Day, December 10.
The LAPN Championship field also includes top earner Who Took The Money (7-2), who won the $100,000 Gold Cup at Delta Downs earlier this season; Highland Creek (6-1), who won the Boyd Rewards Stakes at Delta Downs on December 30; Behemah Star (9-2), who finished second to Touchuponastar in the Louisiana Classic; and defending race champion Langs Day (6-1).
The overwhelming morning line favorite on the entire program is Brittlyn Stable’s 5-year-old mare Ova Charged, who will go postward in the $100,000 Louisiana Premier Night Matron at five furlongs. Installed at odds of 3-5 in the program, Ova Charged is a graded stakes placed runner who enters the night on a five-race winning streak, the last four of which were in stakes company. Jockey Jose Luis Rodriguez will get a leg up on the mare from trainer Jose Camejo.
The top earner on the entire program Saturday will try to win her second consecutive Louisiana Premier Night race when Free Like a Girl goes to the post in the $125,000 Distaff. The Chasey Deville Pomier trainee won last year’s Starlet as a 3-year-old and has been graded stakes placed multiple times since that effort. Overall, the 4-year-old daughter of El Deal has banked $754,878 on 10 wins from 22 starts. Jockey Pedro Cotto, Jr. will pilot Free Like a Girl, who is the 5-2 morning line favorite for the race.
In addition to the many local horsemen taking part in Louisiana Premier Night, there will also be nationally prominent trainers who will saddle horses on the program. They include Brad Cox, Karl Broberg, W. Bret Calhoun and many others.
Listed below are all 10 Louisiana Premier Night stakes races for 2023 in program order.
Race # Purse Stakes Distance Age
3 $60,000 LAPN Ladies Starter 1 mile 4yo & up FM
4 $50,000 LAPN Bon Temps Starter 5 furlongs 4yo & up FM
5 $60,000 LAPN Gentlemen Starter 1-1/16 miles 4yo & up
6 $100,000 LAPN Prince 1 mile 3yo
7 $125,000 LAPN Distaff 1 mile 4yo & up FM
8 $100,000 LAPN Matron 5 furlongs 4yo & up FM
9 $100,000 LAPN Starlet 1 mile 3yo Fillies
10 $100,000 LAPN Sprint 5 furlongs 4yo & up
11 $150,000 LAPN Championship 1-1/16 miles 4yo & up
12 $50,000 LAPN Ragin Cajun Starter 5 furlongs 4yo & up
For more information about Louisiana Premier Night and the remainder of Delta Downs’ season, which runs through February 25, visit the track’s website at www.deltadownsracing.com. Fans can also follow the track on Facebook and Twitter.
Delta Downs Racetrack Casino & 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 off Interstate 10, and from Texas take exit 4.
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