Category: 2023

WINSTAR FARM’S SPEIGHTSTOWN EUTHANIZED

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Speightstown - Louis Reinagel photo
Speightstown – Louis Reinagel photo

WinStar Farm’s Speightstown, Eclipse Award-winning Champion Sprinter of 2004 and one of North America’s most prolific and most versatile sires, had to be euthanized on Friday, Dec. 8, due to foot issues from old age, the farm announced today. Speightstown, a Taylor Made/WinStar stallion, was 25 years old.

“Speightstown was a foundational sire for WinStar and helped stamp our legacy as a sire-making farm,” said Elliott Walden, president, CEO, and racing manager of WinStar Farm. “I want to thank Larry McGinnis and his team for all the love and care they gave “Speighty” as he was lovingly called. They helped him through three colic surgeries, and he had none in the last 13 years. His progeny ran on dirt, turf, six furlongs to 1 ¼ miles, and they always showed their grit. Like with any family member, he will be truly missed. We are fortunate to have his son Nashville in the shedrow, and we look forward to seeing Speightsown’s legacy continue through him, and as a broodmare sire.”

WinStar’s longtime Stallion Manager Larry McGinnis said, “We’ve been through a lot together in the last 19 years. We’ll miss our friend.”

A 1998 son of Gone West, Speightstown possessed a commanding presence that was evident right from the start. An outstanding physical specimen—handsome, compact, and muscular—Speightstown was a $2 million yearling sold out of the Taylor Made Sales Agency consignment at the 1999 Keeneland July Sale of Selected Yearlings. Equipped with brilliant speed and a heart to match, Speightstown went on to be crowned a champion on the racetrack. All told, he won 10 of 16 lifetime starts, placed in four others, and amassed earnings of $1,258,256 for owners Eugene and Laura Melnyk and trainer Todd Pletcher.

Speightstown’s signature win came in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) at Lone Star Park in 2004, where he polished off a competitive field at age six, getting six furlongs in a blazing 1:08.11 under John Velazquez. The impressive victory earned Speightstown Champion Sprinter honors at season’s end. In addition to the Breeders’ Cup Sprint in his championship season, Speightstown won the Alfred G. Vanderbilt H. (G2)—registering a 117 Beyer Speed Figure and equaling the track record for six furlongs in 1:08.04—the True North Breeders’ Cup H. (G2), the Churchill Downs H. (G2), and finished third in the Vosburgh S. (G1).

What made his championship season even more remarkable was what Speightstown overcame in his racing career leading up to that point. Injuries limited Speightstown to just one start at two in 2000. He returned and won four of seven starts at age three. Off nearly two years, he resumed his racing career in 2003, winning an allowance race in his first start since finishing second in the Amsterdam S. (G2) in 2001. He followed that win with a runner-up effort in the Jaipur H. in his only other outing that year.

Speightstown’s accomplished racing career was a prelude to establishing an enduring legacy as an influential stallion at WinStar. A sire of sires, Speightstown was a regular fixture among the ranks of leading stallions. In 2013, Speightstown was the leading sire in North America by number of stakes wins with 36, higher than Kitten’s Joy, War Front, Harlan’s Holiday, and Giant’s Causeway.

From 16 crops of racing age, Speightstown has sired 26 Grade 1 winners on every surface, from six furlongs to 1 ¼ miles all over the world. He is represented by 228 black-type horses, 138 black-type winners, 65 Graded stakes winners, and he has more than $154 million in progeny earnings. Speightstown is one of only three active sires to win a Breeders’ Cup race and sire multiple Breeders’ Cup winners—colt and filly, dirt, and turf. His Breeders’ Cup winners are Tamarkuz, winner of the 2016 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) and Sharing, winner of the 2019 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf (G1).

Among Speightstown’s lifetime leading earners are Grade 1 winners Charlatan, winner of the Arkansas Derby (G1) and Malibu S. (G1) and an earner of $4,047,200; Mozu Superflare (3,704,317); Olympiad, a five-time Graded stakes winner in 2022 who bankrolled $3,027,560; Switzerland ($2,359,052); and Reynaldothewizard ($2,210,790), etc. Speightstown is also represented by Canadian champions Lady Speightspeare, Essence Hit Man, who was named Champion Sprinter in 2011 and 2012, Bold Script, and Italian champion Farmah.

While Speightstown was a champion sprinter and sired numerous top sprinters, he also sired horses that excelled over a route of ground such as Travers S. (G1) winner Golden Ticket, and Jockey Club Gold Cup S. (G1) winners Haynesfield and Olympiad. Top turf runners include the likes of Force the Pass, winner of the 2015 Belmont Derby Invitational S. (G1), 2013 Hollywood Derby (G1) winner Seek Again, and Lord Shanakill, winner of the Group 1 Prix Jean Prat in France in 2009.

In 2023, Speightstown is the sire of 106 winners, eight black-type winners, and 21 black-type horses. He is represented by Prince of Monaco, winner of the Del Mar Futurity (G1), Switzerland, a Graded stakes winner this year at age nine, and stakes winners Gold Sweep, Chiseler, Ultimate, Dean’s List, and Otago.

Poised to carry on his legacy, Speightstown’s sons are distinguishing themselves at stud, and are led by Munnings, currently the seventh-ranked General Sire of 2023. Nashville, the speedy stakes winner and new track-record setter at Keeneland (six furlongs in 1:07.89), will carry on his sire’s line at WinStar Farm with first foals arriving in 2024. As a broodmare sire, Speightstown is the sire of 451 dams of 1,383 named foals of racing age with 1,011 runners (73%), 698 winners (50%), and 68 stakes winners topped by 2021 Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) winner Aloha West ($1,507,290).

Bred in Kentucky by Aaron and Marie Jones, Speightstown is produced from the Storm Cat mare Silken Cat, Champion 2-Year-Old Filly in Canada.

Correction: 2024 Gormley Stud Fee $2,500

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2024 Stud Fee for Gormley is $2,500 

The Louisiana Horse Stallion Register incorrectly lists the stud fee for Gormley as $1,500. The correct 2024 fee for Gormley is $2,500. Louisiana Horse sincerely apologizes for any confusion.

Please See Corrected Stallion Register Page for Gormley below

 
Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association louisianabred.com
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Louisiana’s Best Enter to Add Next Chapters, New Battles on Champions Day

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  • Tumbarumba’s Class Clashes with Touchuponastar’s Commanding Speed in Classic
  • West’s Band of “G” Siblings Return To Find Wilson’s Barn Targeting Fillies and Mares Features
  • Advances for Saturday’s Nine Louisiana Champions Day Stakes Totaling $850,000 in Purses 

New Orleans, La (Dec. 7, 2023) – Saturday, Dec. 9 marks the 33rd edition of Louisiana Champions Day at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, and all six stakes winners from Louisiana Championships Preview Weekend are entered. They’ll face familiar foes looking to avenge opening weekend’s loss and fresh runners from across “The Boot.” The intrastate rivals will line up in the gates of one of the nine stakes, all racing for a share of the $850,000 combined purse total.

Louisiana Champions Day will pick up on several storylines which began over opening weekend’s six stakes. But the most anticipated race introduces a new showdown into the mix: Touchuponastar versus Tumbarumba. Both bred by Coteau Grove Farm, both graded-stakes placed, the two will battle for the first time in Saturday’s $150,000 Louisiana Champions Day Classic, as Set-Hut’s Touchuponastar looks to run it back after his dominant performance in the 2022 edition.

The $50,000 Louisiana Champions Day Ladies Starter kicks off Saturday’s 13-race card with a revised noon CT post time. Three 50-cent Pick 5s with 15% takeout will be offered beginning in Race 1, Race 4, and Race 9. The non-jackpot, $1 Pick 6 with 15% takeout will begin in Race 8 with the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Turf.

Tumbarumba’s Class Clashes with Touchuponastar’s Commanding Speed in Louisiana Champions Day Classic

A field of six 3-year-olds and up entered the 33rd running of the $150,000 Louisiana Champions Day Classic. Two of them are prize fighters who have thrown their La-bred weight around across the stateline, as Touchuponastar and Tumbarumba will rumble in the Bayou on Saturday–their first-ever meeting and only the second time each racehorse has attempted the Classic distance of 1 1/18 miles.

For the past eighteen months, no Thoroughbred in Louisiana has been able to keep up with the commanding speed of Set-Hut’s Touchuponastar. Trained by Jeff Delhomme, the 3-5 morning line favorite has nine wins from 12 starts, including the 2022 Classic, and has never finished out of the money. Facing open company for the first time last May at Lone Star in the Steve Sexton Mile (G3), Frosted Grace proved too much, but last out on Nov. 3, the 4-year-old son of Star Guitar defeated out-of-state rivals including Miles D and Five Star General in the $100,000 Delta Mile.

Touchuponastar’s main rival Tumbarumba has done nothing but face open company throughout his sophomore campaign. In the care of conditioner Brian Lynch, Amerman Racing’s son of Oscar Performance has proven his class across Kentucky. Beating the likes of Scotland, Damon’s Mound, and Denington when winning allowance races at Churchill Downs, Keeneland, and the Ellis Park Derby, Tumbarumba also proved he has a champion’s heart, dueling victoriously time and again through the final stages of those races.

“He loves to get engaged,” Lynch said. “He seems to always find more.”

In September’s Oklahoma Derby (G3), Tumbarumba stretched out to 1 1/8 miles and finished third, in front of Raise Cain, Cagliostro, and Hit Show, but a head shy of How Did He Do That.

“He can get the mile and one-eighth,” Lynch said. “He showed that there in the Oklahoma Derby. He fought hard to the wire there. He can duplicate something like that at least. We’re hoping for no rain. (Tumbarumba) wasn’t a big fan of the off track at Ellis this summer and I see they’re calling for some on Saturday.”

Scheduled as Race 5 with a 2:00 p.m. post time, here is the complete field for the Louisiana Champions Day Classic from the rail out (with jockey, trainer, and morning line odds): 1. Touchuponastar (Tim Thornton, Jeff Delhomme, 3-5); 2. Behemah Star (Jose Guerrero, Shane Wilson, 8-1); 3. Bayou Jam (CJ McMahon, Jonah Fuselier, 30-1); 4. Tumbarumba (Florent Geroux, Brian Lynch, 2-1); 5. Cosmic Train (Gerard Melancon, Jerry Delhomme, 20-1); 6. Mangum (Corey Lanerie, Jeff Delhomme, 6-1).

West’s Band of “G” Siblings Return To Find Wilson’s Barn Targeting Fillies and Mares Features

After finishing a game second in each of the three opening day stakes, Patricia West’s band of half-sibling fillies have unfinished business, as A G’s Charlotte, Olivia G, and Tommie G are entered on Louisiana Champions Day at Fair Grounds. But Shane Wilson’s barn is locked in, stocked up, and ready to barrel past Saturday’s statebred foes.

It was almost déjà vu on opening day of the 2023-2024 meet at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. Saddling the second-place finisher in each of the three filly stakes, Patricia West nearly repeated the success which came a year prior. Opening day 2022 she took the $75,000 Big World (renamed the John Valene for 2023) with A G’s Charlotte, then scored the natural double when Norah G won on debut. But tough racing luck spelled out troubled or pace-compromised trips for each of Thomas Galvin’s homebred stakes fillies out of the Indygo Shiner mare Adrianne G.

“It was good. It could’ve been great,” West said. “If we could have had just a touch better luck, it could’ve been different.”

On Saturday, West’s band of fillies will have a chance to top her impressive 2022 opening day double, as the Louisiana Champions Day races they’re entered in line up for a shot at the natural triple. Each with a purse of $100,000, the Distaff is carded as Race 9, the Ladies Sprint as Race 10, and the Lassie as Race 11.

Besides the newly-minted millionaire Free Like a Girl, who is cross-entered in the Distaff and the Ladies Sprint, West’s trio will be challenged by the formidable Brittlyn Stable homebreds in the latter two contests as trainer Shane Wilson entered both Ova Charged and Spirited Beauty in the Ladies Sprint and Clearly a Test in the Lassie.

A G’s Charlotte Distaff Repeat Hinges on Revenge

Looking to reign victorious on a second Louisiana Champions Day, Thomas Galvin’s A G’s Charlotte will defend her $100,000 Distaff title against seven 3-year-old and up fillies and mares going 1 1/16 miles. But the Mo Tom 4-year-old will have to get the better of D and S Stables’ Vale Male who seized the day when no other runner was sent to the front in opening day’s Valene Memorial.

“Maybe we should’ve gone to the lead last time,” West said. “There will be a little more speed in this race. But more distance will help her out.”

Since removing blinkers earlier in the year, A G’s Charlotte has two wins and three seconds from six races.

“I think she is the same with or without blinkers,” West said. “She runs the way she runs.”

Scheduled as Race 9 with a 4:00 p.m. post time, here is the complete field for the Louisiana Champions Day Distaff from the rail out (with jockey, trainer, and morning line odds): 1. Wholelottamo (Florent Geroux, Jayde Gelner, 10-1); 2. Free Like a Girl (Vicente Del-Cid, Chasey Pomier, 3-1); 3. Star Moment (Corey Lanerie, Bret Calhoun, 4-1); 4. Cheapskate Diva (Carlos L. Marquez, Joseph Felks, 15-1); 5. A G’s Charlotte (Marcelino Pedroza Jr., Patricia West, 5-2); 6. Fort Polk (Emanuel Nieves, Pat Mouton, 12-1); 7. Vale Male (James Graham, James Hodges, 6-1); 8. Sabra Tuff (Brian Hernandez Jr., Dallas Stewart, 9-2).

Second to Many, Olivia G Tasked with Outsprinting Ova Charged

Galvin and West will have a chance at another natural double, but this time with siblings, as Olivia G enters the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Ladies Sprint looking to turn the tables on the newly-minted millionaire Free Like a Girl.

“Free Like a Girl only beat us by 3/4-length,” West said. “We couldn’t get out of traffic until the quarter pole. If she could’ve gotten through, that would’ve been interesting.”

A talented and honest filly, the 3-year-old Oliva G racked up five place-finishes before breaking her maiden in October at Delta Downs. Four of her eight career starts were in stakes, including the Doris Hebert on opening day, her first time racing with the confidence of a win under her belt.

“I’ve always had confidence in Olivia G, since last year,” West said. “Both in Norah G (3-year-old stablemate) and her, but the question was always who was better between the two. Now I’m back to my original confidence (in Olivia G).”

Fellow Ladies Sprint foes Beleout, Free Drop Maddy, and Miss Priority exit the Hebert where they finished third, fourth, and sixth, respectively.

To be the Ladies Sprint champion you’ve got to beat the Ladies Sprint champion, and that title decidedly belongs to Ova Charged. Brittlyn Stable’s star filly has won the last two editions of this race, and she enters for a third alongside her stablemate Spirited Beauty. Both trained by the current meet-leader Shane Wilson, and both working lights out.

“The rain last week messed up our schedule just a bit,” Wilson said. “I wanted to work her on Sunday, come back the following Sunday, and then race 6 days later. It rained and rained so we skipped that one and came back with one solid work last Wednesday. She went (5 furlongs) in a minute and some change, galloped out in 1:12.”

Ova Charged will be making her first start from Wilson’s barn. Having mopped the floor over the past two years with any statebred filly who would face her, the 5-year-old Star Guitar mare tried La-bred males at Fair Grounds last March only to finish fourth. She headed to Keeneland in April for her subsequent race, but failed to pass the open company acid-test, finishing seven lengths back in sixth.

“(Ova Charged) came out of the race at Keeneland with some small issues so they kicked her out and gave her a little break,” Wilson said. “She’s been bulletproof since she’s been back.”

In her one prior start with Wilson, the 5-year-old Star Guitar mare Spirited Beauty tried blinkers for the first time and failed to factor in August’s Louisiana’s Cup Filly and Mare Sprint at Louisiana Downs.

“Spirited Beauty is a beautiful horse. She’s tall, wide, long, a gorgeous filly,” Wilson said. “She didn’t break well from the gates the last couple of times she raced, so we just stopped, let her get away from the track and get her mind straight. She’s come back with two bullet workouts. She should compliment Ova Charged very well because she’ll be coming with her run at the end where Ova will be pressing the pace.”

Scheduled as Race 10 with a 4:30 p.m. post time, here is the complete field for the Louisiana Champions Day Ladies Sprint from the rail out (with jockey, trainer, and morning line odds): 1. Free Drop Maddy (CJ McMahon, Bret Calhoun, 12-1); 2. Olivia G (Marcelino Pedroza Jr., Patricia West, 6-1); 3. Basalt Street (Jareth Loveberry, Gary Scherer, 8-1); 4. Ova Charged (Jose Guerrero, Shane Wilson, 3-1); 5. Free Like a Girl (Vicente Del-Cid, Chasey Pomier, 5-2); 6. Snowball (Brian Hernandez Jr., Samuel Breaux, 10-1); 7. Spirited Beauty (Corey Lanerie, Shane Wilson, 8-1); 8. Beleout (Rey Gutierrez, Courtney Dandridge Jr., 6-1); 9. Miss Priority (Gerard Melancon, Paul Duhon, 20-1); 10. Speedy Dudette (Aubrie Green, Joe Duhon, 20-1).

Wilson Grades Clearly A Test 100% Ahead of Lassie

In the finale of the three Louisiana Champions Day fillies and mares affairs, trainers Shane Wilson and Patricia West’s fillies will have more than just each to worry about, as 13 juveniles are signed on to six dirt furlongs in the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Lassie.

Having broken her maiden even though not fully cranked last out in the Donovan L. Ferguson, the 7-2 morning line favorite Clearly a Test will lay it all on the line this time and likely benefit from her outside draw in post No. 11.  Compromised by her rail draw after breaking towards the back in the Ferguson, Jose Guerrero guided Clearly a Test through a full field of traffic to have her positioned at the top of the stretch for a clear run to the wire.

“I wasn’t sure she was fit enough for (the Ferguson),” Wilson said. “I got one 3/8ths and two halves in her ahead of that one. It worked out when she didn’t break well and Jose had to sit behind horses and wait, he just swung her out and made one 3/8ths run with her. She’s a big strong filly and now that she has one race in her, we have to lead her to the track, lead her back. She went to the gates this morning and boy she was mad when she came out of the gates and didn’t get to run.”

Though entering her third stake, Thomas Galvin’s Tommie G is still a maiden. Overcoming a tough break from the gates herself, the last piece of Patricia West’s “G” puzzle ran well to finish second in the Ferguson. The half-sibling of A G’s Charlotte and Olivia G also showed her talent when finishing third in the Louisiana Jewel in her race prior.

Scheduled as Race 11 with a 5:00 p.m. post time, here is the complete field for the Louisiana Champions Day Lassie from the rail out (with jockey, trainer, and morning line odds): 1. Ready for Thunder (Edgar Morales, Chasey Pomier, 30-1); 2. Sarah’s Court (Gerard Melancon, Allan Kanfer, 15-1); 3. Emily’s Bullet (Vicente Del-Cid, Chasey Pomier, 10-1); 4. Tommie G (Marcelino Pedroza Jr., Patricia West, 10-1); 5. Tap Galore (Jareth Loveberry, Jayde Gelner, 8-1); 6. Accommodate Eva (Brian Hernandez Jr., Dallas Stewart, 8-1); 7. Undercover Girl (Corey Lanerie, Brad Cox, 4-1); 8. Guitar Solo (Joel Dominguez, Allen Landry, 9-2); 9. Lightofmaine (CJ McMahon, Bret Calhoun, 20-1); 10. She Smiled At Me (Thomas Pompell, Brett Brinkman, 12-1); 11. Clearly a Test (Jose Guerrero, Shane Wilson, 7-2); 12. One Line Ruler (Tim Thornton, Carrol Castille, 15-1); 13. Astrology Girl (Aubrie Green, Andrea Ali, 30-1).

Classic Cross-entered Behemah Star Likely to Opt for Turf, Who Took the Money

Whether it be in the Classic over the $100,000 Turf, cross-entered Behemah Star will have to take on the Pelican State’s foremost surface specialist on Louisiana Champions Day. Touchuponastar is ready and waiting to defend his Classic title. Allied Racing Stables Who Took the Money gives his best late kick across the sod, and he has back-to-back Turf titles to prove it. Winless as a 5-year-old, what does Behemah Star have? A new pilot in Jose Guerrero, a hot barn with Shane Wilson, and an excellent turf effort to build from.

“I’m leaning towards the Turf,” Wilson said. “He ran a big number at Evangeline on the turf. We’re in this to win, and you can’t beat Touchuponastar. Tumbarumba looks tough, too.”

This will be Behemah Star’s fourth start since Brittlyn Stable began transferring horses to Wilson’s barn. Since last year’s Classic, Behemah has lost to Touchuponastar four times, but since joining Wilson it has been Set-Hut’s other standout, Mangum who has got the best of Behemah twice. Last out in the Jacob V. Morreale, Mangum scored the upset with an up-close stalking trip more in line with what Wilson was hoping for his entry, who lagged behind and then ran into trouble trying to close in the homestretch.

Whichever race his connections choose, on Saturday Behemah Star will receive the services of a new rider, Jose Guerrero. Already with six wins, Guerrero came to Fair Grounds this year to be first call for Wilson, who currently leads all trainers with the same six wins.

“Jose won over 100 races with us the last two summers between Evangeline and Louisiana Downs,” Wilson said. “Just out of our barn. Me and him, we come back and watch replays of the horses who are riding today. We study the program and make a plan and go out there and win races.”

Winless from two turf attempts, both at the Turf’s 1 1/16 miles distance, Behemah Star drew post No. 7 and was assessed with 8-1 odds in the morning line.

Scheduled as Race 8 with a 3:30 p.m. post time, here is the complete field for the Louisiana Champions Day Turf from the rail out (with jockey, trainer, and morning line odds): 1. Silver Galaxy (Gerard Melancon, Paul Duhon, 10-1); 2. Budro Talking (Corey Lanerie, Sturgis Ducoing, 9-2); 3. Sonya Knows Better (CJ McMahon, Jonah Fuselier, 30-1); 4. Real City Speed (Ben Curtis, Jayde Gelner, 6-1); 5. Woods N Water (Thomas Pompell, Lee Thomas, 3-1); 6. Regal Kingdom (Jareth Loveberry, Graham Motion, 8-1); 7. Behemah Star (Jose Guerrero, Shane Wilson, 8-1); 8. Who Took the Money (Deshawn Parker, Bret Calhoun, 9-5).

Thomas’ Dynamic Duo Return In Contentious, Full-field Sprint 

Trainer Lee Thomas’s dynamic sprinting duo Mike J and Langs Day will look to run a high low offensive attack against Bron and Brow as a full field of fourteen clash in the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Sprint.

Piloted by James Graham in the Larry D. Robideaux, Keith Plaisance’s deep closer Langs Day attempted to make an out-of-the-clouds move to be first across the wire after falling more than 15 lengths back. He missed by a thin lip.

“I love watching him run,” Thomas said. “He almost had it last time. James said he’ll get the timing worked out.”

Sent off as the top choice in the same race, Robin Lane Thoroughbreds’ Mike J took the opposite route. An all-out, guns-blazing speedster, suited well by his regular rider Aubrie Green, Mike J scorched the earth on the lead in the Robideaux, while dueling with Scooteria, and was able to hang on for fourth. The Sky Mesa 4-year-old always runs his race and never quits, evidenced by his eight in the money finishes at the Sprint’s 6-furlong distance.

“We loved having the rail with him last time but Scooteria came after him and applied the pressure,” Thomas said. “But we don’t mind the 11-hole for Saturday. He doesn’t need to run straight out of the gate. He’ll be able to cut across from there to find his spot and save ground.”

Drawn to the far outside of the contentious field of 14, Gary Barber’s forward yet tactical Bron and Brow was made the 7-2 morning line favorite. Not having raced since finishing seventh in an open company allowance in July at Ellis Park, the 5-time winner trained by Mark Casse will have to overcome the post with the services of Rey Gutierrez.

“He had a nice summer, finishing five lengths back from Hoist the Gold at Ellis,” David Carroll said, Casse’s assistant trainer on the grounds. “They didn’t do us any favors with the post draw. It’s a tough assignment.”

The 32-1 winner of the Robideaux, Autumns Strong Man enters the Sprint in top form for trainer and owner Gary Husak. With his winning pilot Angel Suarez at home healing his dislocated elbow, the 4-year-old will be piloted by Jose Riquelme. Another major contender is Set-Hut’s Jacob V. Morreale winner, Mangum. Cross-entered in both the Sprint and the Classic, after winning routing in the Morreale his trainer Jeff Delhomme said they wanted to see how he measured against Who Took the Money and Behemah Star, but he was leaning towards the sprint for his star 3-year-old on Championship Day.

Scheduled as race 12 with a 5:30 p.m. post time, here is the complete field for the Louisiana Champions Day Sprint from the rail out (with jockey, trainer, and morning line odds): 1. Hooray Austin (David Cohen, Sean Alfortish, 12-1); 2. Langs Day (James Graham, Lee Thomas, 6-1); 3. Allnight Moonlight (Ben Curtis, David Terre, 12-1); 4. Unified Report (Brian Hernandez Jr., Dallas Stewart, 20-1); 5. Helaire (Emanuel Nieves, Pat Mouton, 20-1); 6. Scooteria (Jose Guerrero, Shane Wilson, 15-1); 7. Autumns Strong Man (Jose Riquelme, Gary Husak, 12-1); 8. Highland Creek (CJ McMahon, Bret Calhoun, 6-1); 9. Brian’s Iron Mike (Tim Thornton, Allen Landry, 15-1); 10. Fiesty Fist (Gerard Melancon, Carrol Castille, 30-1); 11. Mike J (Aubrie Green, Lee Thomas, 8-1); 12. Jax Man (Jaime Torres, Sam David Jr., 12-1); 13. Mangum (Corey Lanerie, Jeff Delhomme, 5-1); 14. Bron and Brow (Rey Gutierrez, Mark Casse, 7-2).

El Dinero Looks for Clean Trip Facing Spinning Aces in Juvenile

After taking blows from his foes out of the gates in the Joseph R. Peluso, Tav Enterprises’ El Dinero produced a last to first rail rally to win the second stake of his young career by a length. Three of El Dinero’s Peluso rivals enter the looking to find the upper hand. Of his eight foes in Saturday’s $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile, there’s only one the Patrick Devereux Jr’ trainee has not faced, and that’s Mike Diliberto’s 5-2 morning line favorite, Spinning Aces. owned by  Lynne Boutte and trained by Allen Landry, the gelded son of Hard Aces has two wins in three lifetime starts, including his last-out Jean Lafitte score by a neck. That was going 7 furlongs in the slop at Delta Downs. Nine juveniles will go 6 furlongs on Saturday in Race 7, hoping to assert themselves atop the division.

Scheduled to go off at 3:00 p.m., here is the complete field for the Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile from the rail out (with jockey, trainer, and morning line odds): 1. Good and Stout (CJ McMahon, Carrol Castille, 4-1); 2. Prodigy Paradise (Corey Lanerie, Bret Calhoun, 12-1); 3. Sounds Like Power (Deshawn Parker, Jayde Gelner, 12-1); 4. Rising Koto Star (Aubrie Green, Gary Husak, 20-1); 5. Hymn for Carlos (Vicente Del-Cid, Chasey Pomier, 20-1); 6. El Dinero (James Graham, Patrick Devereux Jr., 5-1); 7. Stovall (Rey Gutierrez, Samuel Breaux, 8-1); 8. Strong Promise (Florent Geroux, Jayde Gelner, 3-1); 9. Spinning Aces (Joel Dominguez, Allen Landry, 5-2).

Five Ladies Starters Look to Deny Thetruthisthetruth

Greg Hunter’s Thetruthisthetruth enters the $50,000 Louisiana Champions Day Ladies Starter having won eight of her last nine races. Five older fillies and mares signed on to face the 2-1 morning line favorite, as they try to put an end to the Orrin Cogburn trainee’s four-race win streak.

Written for 5 1/2 furlongs across the main track, post time is noon for the Louisiana Champions Day Ladies Starter. Here is the complete field from the rail out (with jockey, trainer, and morning line odds): 1. Track Smart (Joel Dominguez. Isai Gonzalez, 3-1); 2. For Real Alice  (Vicente Del-Cid, Floyd Pitzer, 9-2); 3. Serape (Thomas Pompell, Brett Brinkman, 5-1); 4. Myfriendsawinner (Marcelino Pedroza Jr. Jonas Gibson, 4-1); 5. Thetruthisthetruth (Jansen Melancon, Orrin Cogburn, 2-1); 6. Blessed Anna (Jaime Torres, Jonas Gibson, 6-1).

Broberg Enters Blockade In Dixie Street’s Starter Encore 

Karl Broberg entered two in the $50,000 Louisiana Champions Day Starter, including the 5-2 morning line favorite, Bootsie’s Galaxy. Together with stablemate Hail State, the End Zone Athletics-owned duo make up one-third of the field of six older males who will go 5 1/2 furlongs on the dirt track.

Vanessa Motta’s Dixie Street entered looking to win this race for the second year in a row. Though the 6-year-old has not been able to run back to the 93 Brisnet Speed figure he earned when winning the 2022 edition, the Sean Alfortish trainee has won five of his eight races since that effort.

Slated as Race 3, post time is 1:00 p.m. Here is the complete field for the Louisiana Champions Day Starter from the rail out (with jockey, trainer, and morning line odds): 1. Charli Michael (Ben Curtis, David Terre, 8-1); 2. Bootsie’s Galaxy (Rey Gutierrez, Karl Broberg, 5-2); 3. Dixie Street (Jaime Torres, Sean Alfortish, 7-2); 4. Sharp Charlie (Joel Dominguez, Jorge Lara, 3-1); 5. Hail State (Tim Thornton, Karl Broberg, 8-1); 6. Izzy’s Baby Boy (Vicente Del-Cid, Juan Larrosa, 7-2).

 

NORTH AMERICAN BREEDERS’ CUP STALLION NOMINATION DEADLINE CLOSES DECEMBER 15

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$100 Deposit is Due with Nomination for 2024 Breeding Season

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 5, 2023) ― The Breeders’ Cup issued a reminder today that all North American stallion nominations to the Breeders’ Cup program for the 2024 breeding season are due by Friday, Dec. 15 at 11:59 p.m. ET. A $100 (USD) initial payment must accompany the nomination form at the deadline.

All stallions standing in North America are eligible to be nominated to the Breeders’ Cup program on an annual basis. The nomination fee is equal to the advertised stud fee, but not less than $1,000 (USD). Following the receipt of the initial $100 deposit, Breeders’ Cup will send quarterly invoices to the individual nominators through the remainder of the breeding season. New stallions have 90 days from their first cover to be nominated.

All foals sired by a nominated Breeders’ Cup stallion are eligible for nomination to the Breeders’ Cup program in their year of birth for a one-time fee of $400 by Oct. 15 or by payment of a $1,500 late fee by Feb. 28 of the following year.

Breeders’ Cup Limited has administered Thoroughbred racing’s most significant international program for over 40 years. During this time, the Breeders’ Cup has allocated purses and awards in excess of $900 million to owners, foal nominators, and stallion nominators through the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In, the Dirt Dozen Bonus Series, and the $31 million Breeders’ Cup World Championships.

A Breeders’ Cup stallion nominator will earn Nominator Awards when any of their progeny finishes first through fourth in a Breeders’ Cup World Championships race regardless of whether or not those foals were nominated to the program.

For more information and to nominate online visit members.breederscup.com.

ABOUT BREEDERS’ CUP

Breeders’ Cup Limited administers the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, Thoroughbred racing’s year-end Championships, as well as the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In, which provides automatic starting positions into the Championships races through an 80-race series hosted by 11 countries, and the U.S.-based Dirt Dozen Bonus Series. The Breeders’ Cup supports and operates under the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA), which, for the first time, establishes a national, uniform set of rules applicable to every Thoroughbred racing participant and racetrack. HISA seeks to enhance the safety of both horse and rider and to protect the integrity of the sport to the benefit of all racing participants, fans, and bettors.

The 2023 Breeders’ Cup World Championships, consisting of 14 Grade 1 Championship races, and $31 million in purses and awards, were held Nov. 3-4 at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, California. The Championships will return to the West Coast in 2024 with Del Mar in Del Mar, California, set to host Nov. 1-2. The Championships will be televised live by NBC Sports. Press releases appear on the Breeders’ Cup website, BreedersCup.com. You can also follow the Breeders’ Cup on social media.

Clear Creek Stud to Host Stallion Presentation, Saturday, December 16

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Clear Creek Stud is holding their annual Stallion Presentation Saturday, December 16th from 10:30 am until 2:00 p.m., at their farm in Folsom, Louisiana.

Several Louisiana legislators as well as thoroughbred industry dignitaries will be on hand to speak and visit with guests. Louisiana Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner, Dr. Mike Strain; Louisiana Attorney Generel-elect Liz Murrill; Louisiana State Senator, Beth Mizell (R.-Dist. 12); Louisiana State Senator, Sharon Hewitt (R.-Dist. 1); and notable St. Tammany Parish businessman Peter Egan; are a few of the lawmakers and leaders who are planning to attend. This is an opportunity for horsemen and women to share ideas and concerns with each other as well as political leaders across the state.

The highlight of the day will be the presentation of Clear Creek Stud’s 2024 stallion roster.  Clearly Now (Horse Greeley-Bend, by Arch) is a multiple graded stakes winning millionaire. Clearly a Test  became his first black-type stakes winner capturing the $75,000 Donovan L. Ferguson Mem. Stakes on Fair Grounds opening weekend. Proven sire Custom For Carlos (More Than Ready-Meadow Oaks, by Meadowlake) is the #2 leading sire of Louisiana-breds for 2023, and the only advertised stallion standing in Louisiana who has a Grade 1 winner (Big World) to his credit. The only full brother to two-time Horse of the Year, California Chrome, Faversham (Lucky Pulpit-Love the Chase, by Not for Love) has moved to Clear Creek for the 2024 breeding season. Imperial Hint (Imperialism-Royal Hint, by Lahint) is a multi-millionaire, four time Grade 1 Stakes Winner and record setting sprinter. His first crop sold well at the 2023 yearling sales and will be running in 2024. Mr. Money (Goldencents-Plenty O’Toole, by Tiznow), a Grade 1 placed multiple graded Stakes Winner is one of only two sons of Goldencents at stud anywhere. His first crop are yearlings of 2023, and they are exceptional. Star Guitar (Quiet American-Minit Towinit, by Malagra) completes the 2023 stallion roster. Unequivocally the best Louisiana-bred runner in history, Star Guitar is a perennial leading sire in Louisiana. With seven crops to run, he has an impressive 43 stakes horses to date including three graded stakes horses.

A catered buffet  lunch will be provided starting at 11:30, with the stallion presentation beginning at 12:00 noon. A family friendly event, there will be pony rides, Santa Claus and many children activities to entertain younger visitors.

 

Clear Creek Stud Stallion Presentation
Saturday, December 16, 2023
10:30 a.m. till 2:00 p.m.

Opening Ceremony 11:00 a.m.
Buffet 11:30 a.m.
Stallion show 12:00 noon

Entertainment
Special Guest Speakers
Including State Officials, Representatives from
the Racing Commisssion and HBPA
Door Prizes and more

11591 Hwy 1078
Folsom, LA 70437

James Graham Scores 3,000th Career Win on Sunday at Fair Grounds

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James Graham celebrates 3000th win.

New Orleans, La (Dec. 3, 2023) – On Sunday in Race 2, jockey James Graham won his 3,000th career victory, piloting Big Chief Racing and Rocker O Ranch’s Vortex for trainer Keith Desormeaux at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. Coming into the 2023-2024 meet, Graham was ten away from the milestone. He wasted no time closing the gap, winning ten races over 9 cards, including stakes victories in the Claiming Crown Tiara and Iron horse, as well as the John Valene and Joseph Peluso over opening weekend.

“It’s quite emotional actually,” Graham said. “I came here in 2002 and all I ever wanted was a shot. I wish my mom was still alive to see this. Thank you to everybody who has ever put me on a winner throughout my whole career. This is all because of you guys. Thank you to my wife. If it wasn’t for her,  I wouldn’t be where I am. Fair Grounds has been good to me over the years. I’ve made a lot of friends and lost a lot of friends. Racing is a life and we are all a big family. Thank you to everybody.”

Hailing from Dublin, Ireland, Graham attended jockey’s school and worked for four years as an apprentice, recording one win in his native Ireland before launching his career in the U.S. His first victory came at River Downs on July 1, 2003 aboard B.J. Star for trainer Allan Shapoff in just his 12th mount. Later that year his first Fair Grounds victory came aboard High Octave for trainer Ronny Werner. Graham has gone on to win 1,340 local races and stands tall as the third winningest rider at Fair Grounds since 1986, behind Ronald Ardoin and Robby Albarado.

“This is special for me doing it (at Fair Grounds),” Graham said. “My career took off here. When I first got here in 2003 and started riding, this is the meet that got the ball rolling for me. Look at the guys I started riding with here. Gerard (Melancon), Robby (Albarado), Shane Sellars, E.J. Perrodin–I got educated here. I’ve got a couple more goals at this track that I want to accomplish, so I’m banging on the door and I’m young, fit and healthy.”

Over his career, the 44-year-old has four local riding titles, and won many of the track’s most prominent stakes. Graham has won over 47 graded stakes, and 13 of those have come at Fair Grounds, including victories aboard 135-1 shot Ive Struck a Nerve in the 2013 Risen Star (G2), 28-1 shot Call Me Midnight in the 2022 Lecomte (G3), and 7-1 shot Ron the Greek in the 2010 Lecomte (G3). Ive Struck a Nerve and Call Me Midnight were both trained by Desormeaux.

“Keith has been very good to me since I started my career,” Graham said. “We’ve had a lot of luck. He’s always been a big supporter. I think he’s a brilliant horseman. Thank you to all the horsemen. All I ever wanted was a chance. To have a chance. And these guys gave me a chance.”

Having had three mounts in the Kentucky Derby, Graham’s best finish was aboard Lone Sailor in 2018 when he crossed the line in eighth for trainer Tom Amoss. One of Arlington Park’s all-time winningest jockeys, Graham earned his first graded stakes victory in the 2004 Arlington Breeders’ Cup Oaks (G3). With five grade ones to his name, Graham’s most recent came aboard 27-1 longshot Two Emmys in the 2021 Mr. D., affectionately known as “the last Arlington Million.”

Upon winning his 3,000th race, Graham has amassed $111,328,888 in career earnings from 22,095 mounts. In Graham’s 19th season at Fair Grounds, it is his first year being represented by agent Doug Bredar.

 

December Calendar of Events from the LTBA

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DECEMBER CALENDAR OF EVENTS FROM THE LTBA

Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association would like to share the following list of dates of interest to Louisiana horsemen and women.

Brought to you by Whispering Oaks, and Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association. Click images link to more information
Dec 2

  •  Claiming Crown, New Orleans Fair Grounds
  •  Louisiana Champions Day Entry Day

Dec 8

    • LTBA Board of Directors Meeting, 1:00 p.m., HBPA Main Office, Gentilly Blvd., New Orleans
    • Louisiana Champions Day Gala, 7-10 p.m., Jefferson Orleans South
  • The Magic City Classic, New Orleans Fair Grounds
  • Kudzu Juvenile, New Orleans Fair Grounds

Dec 9

  •  33rd Annual Louisiana Champions Day, 9 stakes for Louisiana Bred Thoroughbreds,  New Orleans Fair Grounds, 1st Post 12:00 noon.
  • Louisiana Champions Day, Race Central, 12:00 noon through last race, New Orleans Fair Grounds, Black Gold Room. Lunch is served beginning at 1pm. No Reservations Re-quired. First come first served.
  • Scholarship Drawings; LTBA and Fair Grounds are drawing for six $1,000 scholarships for current college students. Must be present to win.

Dec 15

  • Anyone with information about Louisiana Breds winning outside of North America, please contact Roger Heitzmann (Roger@louisianabred.com)

Dec 22-25

  • LTBA Office closed for Christmas Holidays

Dec 24

  • Christmas Eve

Dec 25

  • Christmas Day

Dec 23

  • Road To The Derby Kickoff Day: Tenacious Stakes, Richard R. Scherer Memorial Stakes, Blushing KD Stakes, Gun Runner Stakes, Untapable Stakes, Buddy Diliberto Memorial Stakes, Sugar Bowl Stakes, Letellier Memorial Stakes, New Orleans Fair Grounds

Would you like to sponsor a newsletter? Reach more than 2,500 readers.

Please contact Linda 504-460-5518, linda@louisianabred.com or Roger 504-947-4676, roger@louisianabred.com for cost and availability.

Do you have a date pertaining to Louisiana-breds that you would like included in an upcoming calendar? Please contact Linda 04-460-5518, linda@louisianabred.com or Roger 504-947-4676, roger@louisianabred.com for consideration.

Any questions or need more info call

Roger A. Heitzmann III, Secretary/Treasurer

Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association

504-947-4676
Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association louisianabred.com
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Texas December 2023 Election, Racing and Accreditation Deadlines

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IMPORTANT TTA DEADLINES APPROACHING 

 

TTA BOARD OF DIRECTORS DEADLINE

December 15, 2023 is the deadline for RECEIPT of ballots in the election of directors to serve 3-year terms (2024 – 2026). Ballots received after that date cannot be counted. Mail your ballot in today!

ACCREDITATION DEADLINES

1) December 31, 2023 is the deadline for accrediting yearlings (foals of 2022) at the TTA member rate of $200 ($250 for non-members). The fee to accredit foals of 2022 AFTER December 31, 2023 but by December 31, 2024 is $750 for TTA members ($800 for non-members).

2) Be sure that mares that will foal in Texas in 2024 are Texas accredited and that ATB race fillies have been converted to breeding stock before they foal to automatically be eligible for ATB breeder awards. You may email the mare’s name to me and I will verify the status. The fee to accredit a mare before she foals is only $75 (TTA member rate). NOTE: If a mare is not accredited before she foals, the only way to be eligible for ATB breeder awards on that foal is to pay a supplemental mare accreditation fee in the amount of $150 (TTA member rate) during the same year of foaling.

 

RACING DEADLINES

December 31, 2023 is the deadline to:

1) Nominate eligible foals of 2023 to the Texas Stallion Stakes Series for $100.

2) Nominate eligible foals of 2022 (not previously nominated) to the Texas Stallion Stakes Series for $500.

3) The Texas Thoroughbred Association is pleased to continue the Texas Thoroughbred Association Futurity with purses of $150,000 for each division and introduce the new Texas Thoroughbred Association Derby and Oaks, with purses of $100,000 each.

All foals of 2022 that passed through the ring in the 2023 Texas Summer Yearling Sale or are consigned to and subsequently pass through the ring at the 2024 Texas 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale are eligible for these races.

There are no nomination or sustaining payments to be made. All eligible Sales Graduates may simply pay the entry and start fee in the track racing office at the appropriate time.

ATB Berth Entries: For every horse that passed through the ring at the 2023 Texas Summer Yearling Sale, each consignor and each buyer will receive a non-transferable berth into either division of the race. Any Thoroughbred foal of 2022 is eligible to be sold in the sales and nominated to the Futurity, Derby or Oaks. Additional berths must be filled with an Accredited Texas-bred Thoroughbred foal of 2022 that did not pass through the ring at the 2023 Texas Summer Yearling Sale. Berth horses must be declared to the Texas Thoroughbred Association by December 31, 2023 with a one-time payment of $150. Once a berth horse is designated, ownership of that horse may be transferred with the horse still remaining eligible for the appropriate division of 2024 Texas Thoroughbred Sales Futurity and the 2025 Texas Thoroughbred Derby or Oaks.

4) Nominate accredited stallions that will be standing in Texas in 2024 to the Texas Stallion Stakes for the 2024 breeding season.

Remember: Foals by stallions nominated to the Texas Stallion Stakes need not be foaled in Texas nor be Accredited Texas-breds to be eligible for the Texas Stallion Stakes Series.

All deadline dates are email, fax or postmark dates.

Forms are available at http://texasthoroughbred.com/texas-bred/forms/.

Please contact me with any questions.

Thank you,
Ed Berg
Racing/Accreditation Manager
Texas Thoroughbred Association
192 Cimarron Park Loop, Suite A
Buda, TX 78610
(phone) 512-458-6133
(fax) 512-453-5919
e-mail: edberg@texasthoroughbred.com

DELTA DOWNS TO LOWER TAKEOUT TO 12% ON ALL PICK 4 AND PICK 5 WAGERING POOLS

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THE NEW LOWER TAKEOUT RATE WILL BEGIN ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13

 

VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel today announced that it will lower the takeout rate on all Pick 4 and Pick 5 waging pools from 25% to 12% beginning Wednesday, December 13. The new rate will be in effect through the end of the season, Saturday, February 24.

The lower takeout rate will mean more money returned to racing fans that hold winning tickets each night. The track offers a pair of Pick 4’s and Pick 5’s on each live program. The Early Pick 5 begins on the first race each night, and the Late Pick 5 takes place on the final five races. The Early Pick 4 starts on the second race and the Late Pick 4 covers the final four races on the card.

Live racing takes place this season each Wednesday through Saturday night beginning at 5:05 pm through December 30, with the exception of Monday, December 18 through Thursday, December 21. During that week the track will host daytime race programs starting 12:55 pm before the Christmas holiday.

For more information about racing at Delta Downs, including a detailed schedule, post times, and stakes dates, visit the track’s website at www.deltadownsracing.com. Fans can also get information throughout the season with our social media accounts. The Facebook page is found at ‘Delta Downs Racing’, and the track’s Twitter (X) handle is @deltaracing.

Delta Downs Racetrack Casino Hotel, a property of Boyd Gaming Corporation, is the premier racing and gaming entertainment venue in Vinton, LA. Named “America’s Best Horse Racing Track” by readers of USA TODAY 10Best, Delta Downs features a six-furlong oval track, 15,000 square feet of casino space and more than 1,500 of the most popular slot machines. Amenities include two restaurants, chart-topping entertainment at the Delta Event Center and the FanDuel Sportsbook.

Ninety Entered in Saturday’s 25th Claiming Crown Championship at Fair Grounds, Representing 25 States and Canada

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  • One of six on the card from trainer Joe Sharp, Money Supply granted favoritism in the $200,000 Jewel
  • Maker and Diodoro barns arrive in droves, enter seven each looking to continue Claiming Crown success
2/18/2023 – Two Emmys with James Graham aboard pulls away from the field to win the Grade III Fair Grounds Stakes at Fair Grounds. Hodges Photography / Lou Hodges, Jr.

 

 

New Orleans, La (Nov. 28, 2023) – Thoroughbred racehorses from all over the country will be arriving at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots this week, as 90 horses who have raced in 25 different states and Canada in 2023 have been entered in the Dec. 2 Claiming Crown. The breeding programs of 11 different states will be represented, including Louisiana, Kentucky, Florida, Illinois, Washington, New Jersey, Arkansas, New York, Ohio, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania.

Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the eight-race championship pits the nation’s top claiming-level horses against each other as they battle for their share of $1 million in purses. The Claiming Crown races are conducted under starter-allowance conditions, meaning they are restricted to horses that have competed at least once for a certain claiming level or cheaper during a designated time frame.

At seven entries apiece, trainers Mike Maker and Robertino Diodoro lead all barns. Maker’s cadre is led by the United Nations (G1) winner Therapist, one of four stablemates entered in the 12-horse $150,000 Claiming Crown Emerald at 1 1/16 miles on turf. The Steve Sexton Mile winner Frosted Grace (G3) is the highlight of Diodoro’s trio in the 1 1/8-miles $200,000 Jewel. Stabled at Fair Grounds, Joe Sharp means business with six entries, including Money Supply, the favorite of nine entered in the Jewel.

First post for Saturday’s 11-race program is scheduled for 12:45 p.m (all times Central). The Claiming Crown races begin in Race 3 with the $75,000 Ready’s Rocket Express (1:45 p.m.) and conclude with the $200,000 Jewel (Race 10, 5:15 p.m.).

********

In Sharp’s Care, Money Supplies’ Form Earns Jewel Favoritism

The star of Joe Sharp’s six entries on the day, Money Supply has been given top billing in Saturday’s marquee event, the $200,000 Claiming Crown Jewel at 1 1/8 miles for 3-year-olds and up.

Saturday’s 25th annual Claiming Crown Day will feature eight races for hard-knocking horses from across the nation. Returning to Fair Grounds for the first time since 2011, it is the second straight year that the series will be hosted by a Churchill Downs Inc. property, as the 2022 races were held at the company’s flagship track in Louisville.  First post is 12:45 p.m. and the featured Jewel will go as Race 10 of 11 at 5:15 p.m.

As the 5-2 favorite, Jordan Wycoff’s 4-year-old colt by Practical Joke was claimed from Chad Brown last August at Saratoga. In Sharp’s care, Money Supply finished second going the Jewel-distance at Saratoga, then won his next two races, both coming at Churchill Downs. Facing first-level allowance competition in his most recent victory, Money Supply finished open lengths ahead of next-out winner Arro Smash and the ever-promising 3-year-old Banishing.

Entering three of the nine entries, trainer Robertino Diodoro looms over the field with the second, third, and fourth choices in the morning line. At 3-1, Flying P Stable’s Saqeel leads the Diodoro trio. Over the 5-year-old’s 2023 campaign, he is six-for-eight in the money with three wins, most recently scoring in a first-level allowance at Churchill Downs.

Of the nine entries, only JD Thoroughbreds and Joey Keith Davis’ All West has won at the Jewel-distance of 1 1/8 miles. Trained by Chris Hartman, the 7-year-old’s last win came going 9 panels in a first-level allowance level on April 30 at Oaklawn Park earlier this year. All West is cross-entered in the 6-furlong Rapid Transit Starter.

Here is the complete field for the Claiming Crown Jewel in order of post positions (with jockey, trainer, and morning line):

  1. All West (Mitchell Murrill, Chris Hartman, 8-1)
  2. Money Supply (Jareth Loveberry, Joe Sharp, 5-2)
  3. Saqeel (Francisco Arrieta, Robertino Diodoro, 3-1)
  4. King’s Ovation (Ricardo Santana Jr., Robertino Diodoro, 4-1)
  5. Frosted Grace (Rey Gutierrez, Robertino Diodoro, 7-2)
  6. Biloxi (Alex Castillo, Ronnie Ward, 20-1)
  7. First Glimpse (David Cohen, Jose Camejo, 20-1)
  8. Bright Spark (James Graham, George Leonard III, 30-1)
  9. Luigi’s Spirit (Corey Lanerie, Rodolfo Sanchez-Salomon, 15-1)

********

Multiple Graded Stakes Winner Therapist Leads Maker’s Four Emerald Entries

The Claiming Crown “couch” awaits eleven turf routers as multiple graded stakes winner Therapist enters the $150,000 Emerald.

Run at 1 1/16 miles on turf, the Emerald will go as Race 9 of 11 with a post time of 4:45 p.m. First post Saturday is 12.45 p.m.

Before Michael Dubb’s 8-year-old son of Freud won the Pan American (G2) and the United Nations (G1), he was dropped in for a tag on three different occasions between September and December of 2022. Each time he was claimed. Dubb and trainer Mike Maker saw Therapist’s latent abilities to run longer distances and pulled the trigger on Dec. 30 for $50,000.

However traumatic it could be for other connections to see the New York-bred millionaire in a race reserved for “blue collar” Thoroughbreds, solace can be found in the fact that Therapist struggles to get 1 1/16 miles, having only two wins in 15 tries. Florent Geroux will bring the 9-5 morning line favorite out of gate 11.

Déjà vu awaits anyone who peruses the field, as Mike Maker has three other entries besides Therapist. The four-headed monster includes Tiberius Mercurius, who has fired blanks at the Emerald distance but has established form which rivals the field; the 5-year-old synthetic specialist Race Craft who has one win on grass; and the front-runner Tatanka, who will make his first start from Maker’s barn after September’s claim.

Here is the complete field for the Claiming Crown Emerald in order of post positions (with jockey, trainer, and morning line):

  1. Firewater Jake (Marcelino Pedroza Jr. George Leonard III, 20-1)
  2. Race Craft (Ricardo Santana Jr., Mike Maker, 5-1)
  3. More Ice (Emanuel Nieves, Joey Foster, 20-1)
  4. Bizzee Channel (Jareth Loveberry, Joe Sharp, 10-1)
  5. Sonny Smack (Leandro Goncalves, Valorie Lund, 20-1)
  6. Tatanka (James Graham, Mike Maker, 10-1)
  7. Runway Magic (Jaime Torres, Joe Sharp, 20-1)
  8. Tiberius Mercurius (Rey Gutierrez, Mike Maker, 6-1)
  9. Ocelot (Corey Lanerie, Karl Broberg, 9-2)
  10. Leave It to Kitten (Luan Machado, Kathy Jarvis, 12-1)
  11. Therapist (Florent Geroux, Mike Maker, 9-5)
  12. Duke of Carthania (Mitchell Murrill, Yovani Munoz, 30-1)

********

Emboldened Like a Saltshaker Streaks into $100,000 Rapid Transit

After battling every step of the way when victorious going 3/4 mile at Churchill Downs in his most recent start, Like a Saltshaker looks to continue his dominance in the $100,000 Rapid Transit Starter.

The 6-furlong Rapid Transit will go as Race 8 of 11 with a post time of 4:15 p.m. First post on Saturday is 12:45 p.m.

Claimed in May by trainer Brittany Vanden Berg, the 5-year-old owned by Marisco Brothers Racing has taken a new step forward in each of his last three races. Tabbed at 9-5 in the morning line, the 9-time winner at the Rapid Transit distance will reunite with Chris Emigh and make his initial move from post 9.

With eight of the eleven entered projected to be prompting the pace, the 7-year-old Solidify could be picking up the pieces late. Owned and trained by Juan Cano, the late-kicking sprinter tried stakes company to no avail in July at Ellis Park. More recently he defeated starter-allowance ranks going 6 furlongs in October at Keeneland and followed that up with two in the money finishes at Churchill, solidifying his position as the 9-2 morning line second choice.

Here is the complete field for the Rapid Transit Starter in order of post positions (with jockey, trainer, and morning line):

  1. Peso in My Pocket (Olaf Hernandez, Yovani Munoz, 20-1)
  2. Pure Panic (Luan Machado, Eric Foster, 6-1)
  3. All West (Mitchell Murrill, Chris Hartman, 6-1)
  4. Faithful Ruler (Jareth Loveberry, James Watkins, 10-1)
  5. Startdfromdabottom (Edgar Morales, John Ennis, 8-1)
  6. Big Rowdy Dan (Ricardo Santana Jr., Rodolfo Sanchez-Salomon, 15-1)
  7. Desert Ruler (Rey Gutierrez, Enrique Amado, 15-1)
  8. Solidify (Yoel Navas, Juan Cano, 9-2)
  9. Like a Saltshaker (Chris Emigh, Brittany Vanden Berg, 9-5)
  10. Twirling Roses (James Graham, Eduardo Rodriguez, 20-1)
  11. Richiesonaroll (Emmanuel Giles, Jose G. Rodriguez, 10-1)

********

Overdrawn Field Ensures Metzen Memorial to Be a Mad Dash for Cash

Overdrawn with 14, the $150,000 Canterbury Tom Metzen Memorial will see 12 sprinters make a mad dash for cash over the Stall-Wilson turf course.

Carded as Race 7 of 11, the Canterbury Tom Metzen Memorial is scheduled to run at 5 1/2 furlongs on turf. First post for Saturday’s Claiming Crown Day is 12:45 p.m. and the Canterbury Tom Metzen Memorial will go to post at 3:45 p.m.

Several of the 3-year-old and up entrants made a sizable move forward when recently switching to grass, maybe none more so than the 3-1 morning line favorite Mischievous Rogue. Southern Comfort Stables’ 5-year-old ended 2022 facing claiming ranks on dirt and synthetic, but around that time he was gelded and with that equipment change, came new form. In 2023 trainer William Cowans began running Mischievous Rogue through his allowance conditions, and in all seven races he has finished in the money, including winning two turf sprints in Kentucky running the fastest speed figures of his career. Aboard for four of his five lifetime wins, Luan Machado comes to New Orleans with Mischievous Rogue.

Last June, Michael Sorrels’ Atta Party made his first start on the sod a winning one. Since then he has not lost, most recently scoring the upset at Remington Park in September to seal the deal on 2-for-2 turf sprint perfection. Up for his unveiling on the lawn, Angel Suarez will take the reins of the Arkansas-bred, aiming for his fourth score piloting the 4-year-old Martin Villafranco trainee.

Sent off at 44-1 at Keeneland when debuting on grass in his last start, Zoombie shot to the lead and never looked back. The second win of Shagbark Farm’s 4-year-old campaign, Zoombie’s turf heroics produced his fastest speed figure by double-digits. Trainer Ryan Walsh looks to keep the good thing going in the Metzen. Drawn on the rail and made 12-1 in the morning line, Zoombie will receive the services of Corey Lanerie.

Here is the complete field for the Canterbury Tom Metzen Memorial in order of post positions (with jockey, trainer, and morning line):

  1. Zoombie (Corey Lanerie, Ryan Walsh, 12-1)
  2. Mischievous Rogue (Luan Machado, William Cowans, 3-1)
  3. Shimmer Me Timbers (Francisco Arrieta, Robertino Diodoro, 5-1)
  4. Tilted Towers (Chris Emigh, Brittany Vanden Berg, 8-1)
  5. Rebel Posse (Rey Gutierrez, Rodolfo Sanchez-Salomon, 15-1)
  6. Smithwick’s Spice (Florent Geroux, Douglas Nunn, 20-1)
  7. Bring Me a Check (Jareth Loveberry, Patrick Reynolds, 9-2)
  8. Atta Party (Angel Suarez, Martin Villafranco, 8-1)
  9. Mister Chairman (Ben Curtis, Gilbert Ecoffey, 30-1)
  10. Counterstrike (Edgar Morales, John Ennis, 10-1)
  11. Cotton (Ricardo Santana Jr., Joseph Saffie Jr., 8-1)
  12. Bodenheimer (Leandro Goncalves, Valorie Lund, 12-1)
  13. AE: Tough Charlie (Aubrie Green, Lee Thomas, 12-1)
  14. AE: Ship It Red (Leandro Goncalves, Valorie Lund, 20-1)

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Time for Trouble Aims for Iron Horse Repeat

Sporting his Claiming Crown champion’s belt, Time for Trouble travels to New Orleans as 7-2 logical choice of thirteen entered in the $75,000 Iron Horse Kent Sterling Memorial.

The 1 1/16-mile Iron Horse will go as Race 6 of 11 with a post time of 3:15 p.m. First post is 12:45 p.m.

After Time for Trouble won the 2022 Iron Horse, trainer Jeff Hiles entered him in four marathon-distance stakes, including three graded turf contests. But it was the lone dirt stakes which produced the 6-year-old gelded son of English Channel’s best performance, finishing second to Next. Three for five at the 1 1/16 miles Iron Horse distance, Thorndale Stable and Jeff Hiles’ reigning champion will be piloted by James Graham.

Drawing to the far outside, Clay Sides’ Proverb enters fresh for trainer Joseph Saffie Jr. Ricardo Santana Jr. is named to ride and after winning four of five races since being claimed by Saffie, including three 7-furlong sprints, the break will be crucial for a horse who has done his best running on or near the lead.

Here is the complete field for the Iron Horse Kent Sterling Memorial in order of post positions (with jockey, trainer, and morning line):

  1. Casey’s Memory (Alex Birzer, Lane Johnston, 15-1)
  2. Moment (Mitchell Murrill, Elias Lopez, 15-1)
  3. Nordic Light (Corey Lanerie, Brad Cox, 12-1)
  4. Time for Trouble (James Graham, Jeff Hiles, 7-2)
  5. Scooter’s Boy (Tyler Bacon, Gilbert Ecoffey, 30-1)
  6. Knight’s Cross (Florent Geroux, Thomas Van Berg, 8-1)
  7. Toma Toda (Brian Hernandez Jr., Steve Asmussen, 12-1)
  8. On a Spree (Rey Gutierrez, Robertino Diodoro, 9-2)
  9. Missed the Boat (Jose Luis Rodriguez, Niccolo Troiani, 20-1)
  10. Mau Mau (Jose Guerrero, Shane Wilson, 20-1)
  11. Coach Adams (Nik Juarez, Dan Ward, 6-1)
  12. Willy the Cobbler (Francisco Arrieta, Robertino Diodoro, 15-1)
  13. Proverb (Ricardo Santana Jr., Joseph Saffie Jr., 4-1)

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Wrapping Up Sensational 2023 Perhaps Tonight Tabbed atop Tiara Nine

The 2023 campaign for TEC Racing’s Perhaps Tonight (Ire) is bookended by 6th-place finishes, but it’s what happened in between that earned her 3-1 morning line favoritism against eight older fillies and mares in the $150,000 Claiming Crown Tiara.

Carded for 1 1/16 miles on turf, the Tiara will go as Race 5 of 11 with a post time of 2:45 p.m. First post Saturday is 12:45 p.m.

With five wins and one second-place finish in eight races, the Sir Prancelot mare will seek to carry that form into the 1 1/16 miles Tiara when making her first start walking over from Tom Amoss’ barn. With two local works and one previous second-place try across the Stall-Wilson turf course, perhaps the 5-year-old will feel at home enough to tackle what appears to be a very evenly-matched group of turf females.

With recent wins at Saratoga and Kentucky Downs, Freddy Lewis Jr.’s Strong Odor has come into her own as a 6-year-old for trainer Mike Maker. Last out she finished sixth against allowance ranks at Keeneland. She entered the 2021 Claiming Crown Distaff Dash with similar form and finished ninth. Tabbed at 4-1 and drawing just outside the favorite in post 8, Strong Odor will be joined in the gates by her stablemate Anatolian, a surface-versatile 4-year-old by Not This Time.

Douglas Self’s 4-year-old Swoonatra returns to her home state after being claimed for $20,0000 at Gulfstream Park in October. Trainer Joey Foster will saddle the front-running Louisiana-bred for the first time and give a leg up to Emanuel “The Sensation” Nieves.

Here is the complete field for the Claiming Crown Tiara in order of post positions (with jockey, trainer, and morning line):

  1. Dana’s Beauty (Jaime Torres, Joe Sharp, 8-1)
  2. Yankee Dollar (Jareth Loveberry, Marcus Vitali, 9-2)
  3. Anatolian (James Graham, Mike Maker, 8-1)
  4. Enchanted Nile (Mitchell Murrill, Chris Hartman, 12-1)
  5. Annie’s Song (Francisco Arrieta, Shawn Davis, 8-1)
  6. Indicia (Reynier Arrieta, Heather Irion, 12-1)
  7. Perhaps Tonight (Ire) (Edgar Morales, Tom Amoss, 3-1)
  8. Strong Odor (Rey Gutierrez, Mike Maker, 4-1)
  9. Swoonatra (Emanuel Nieves, Joey Foster, 6-1)

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Samarita Stands in the Way of a Second Glass Slipper for Invaluable

Having won the 2022 Glass Slipper at Churchill Downs, Invaluable will need to turn the tables on the scorching hot Samarita to defend her crown.

Run at one-mile, the Glass Slipper will go as Race 4 of 11 with a post time of 2:15 p.m. First post is 12:45 p.m.

Forgotten Man Racing and Dominic Damiano’s Invaluable will be making only her second start for trainer Joe Sharp, who claimed her for $25,000 from Mike Maker in September. Jareth Loveberry gets the call and will look to maneuver the 4-1 morning line 6-year-old from the two hole against a field of ten females going Fair Grounds’ two-turn, short-stretch dirt mile.

Finishing a dozen lengths behind Samarita last out going 7 furlongs at Keeneland, the equalizer for Invaluable could be the distance. Made the 9-5 top choice by Mike Diliberto, Samarita enters the Glass Slipper on a 6-race winning streak but the sprint-specialist is unproven going one mile.  The 4-year-old filly is owned and trained by Jose G. Rodriguez. Emmanuel Giles comes to town to ride.

Here is the complete field for the Glass Slipper in order of post positions (with jockey, trainer, and morning line):

  1. Xylophone (Mitchell Murrill, Chris Hartman, 10-1)
  2. Invaluable (Jareth Loveberry, Joe Sharp, 4-1)
  3. Hot Dame (Jose Luis Rodriguez, Irene Alba-Hernandez, 12-1)
  4. Samarita (Emmanuel Giles, Jose G. Rodriguez, 9-5)
  5. Girl Thirsty (Alex Castillo, Ronnie Ward, 30-1)
  6. Choctaw Bingo (Florent Geroux, Mike Maker, 10-1)
  7. Hashtag Lucky (Rey Gutierrez, Rodolfo Sanchez-Salomon, 10-1)
  8. Northern Diamond (Edgar Morales, Thomas Van Berg, 10-1)
  9. My Good Fortune (Corey Lanerie, Chris Hartman, 8-1)
  10. Pens Street (Francisco Arrieta, Robertino Diodoro, 5-1)

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Concrete Glory Looks for Revenge on Caramel Chip in Rapid Transit

Many of the twelve older males entered in the $75,000 Ready’s Rocket Express have faced each other before and have a score to settle in Saturday’s 6-furlong dirt sprint.

The Ready’s Rocket Express was carded as Race 3, the first Claiming Crown event on the 11-race program. Post time for the six-furlong dash is 1:45 p.m. with the first race scheduled at 12:45 p.m.

Big Frank Stable’s Concrete Glory has been a revelation as a 4-year-old. Including the $6,250 affair where he was claimed by trainer Joseph Saffie Jr., the gelded son of Bodemeister has five wins in six races by over 20 lengths in total. The one blemish came at the hands of his Express foe, Caramel Chip.

As a 5-year-old, Bianco Stable’s Caramel Chip has made the most of his $10,000 starter allowance, winning six of thirteen races after being blanked the year prior. Morning line oddsmaker Mike Diliberto saw this rematch coming, making these two rivals the top choices in the morning line with Concrete Glory getting the nod at 5-2 over the Jose D’Angelo trainee.

Built Wright Stables’ Elle’sbigseacret and Beverly Park, the third and fourth-place finishers from the 2022 Claiming Crown Express are entered looking for another paycheck. Last year’s poster child of the claiming ranks, Beverly Park’s history-making 15th win of 2022 came on Dec. 31, 2022 at Fair Grounds. Both are trained by Raymond Glinter Jr.

It wouldn’t be a true Louisiana Claiming Crown without an entry from trainer Shane Wilson. In 226 starts over the past five years, Wilson has won with 22% of horses making their first and second start with the barn after a claim. Dawn and Scotty Robin transferred High Cruise into Wilson’s barn over the summer, and if Wilson can return the 11-time winner to top form, then the 8-1 morning line would be a gift. Wilson will leg-up Jose Guerrero who will look to get the jump on the field from post 6.

Here is the complete field for the Ready’s Rocket Express in order of post positions (with jockey, trainer, and morning line):

  1. Optimal Courage (Deshawn Parker, Angel Miguel Silva, 8-1)
  2. Classic Bet (Jose Riquelme, Isai Gonzales, 10-1)
  3. Caramel Chip (Florent Geroux, Jose D’Angelo, 4-1)
  4. Motion to Strike (Rey Gutierrez, Robert Falcone Jr. 15-1)
  5. Concrete Glory (Ricardo Santana Jr., Joseph Saffie Jr., 5-2)
  6. High Cruise (Jose Guerrero, Shane Wilson, 8-1)
  7. Elle’sbigseacret (Jaime Torres, Raymond Glinter Jr., 15-1)
  8. Junior Bug (Francisco Arrieta, Thomas Van Berg, 9-2)
  9. Wrath (Serafin Carmona, Gilbert Ecoffey, 50-1)
  10. Breaking News (Mitchell Murrill, Hugo Rodriguez, 15-1)
  11. Beverley Park (Marcelino Pedroza Jr., 12-1)
  12. Magic Castle (Jareth Loveberry, Joe Sharp, 15-1)