Category: Allen Landry

THE DRAW FOR LOUISIANA CUP DAY WILL TAKE PLACE ON SATURDAY, JULY 30

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Solid Nominations for the Six Stakes for Louisiana Thoroughbreds

 

Bossier City, LA – The momentum is building for Louisiana Cup Day on Saturday, August 6 at Louisiana Downs with post time set for 1:45 pm (Central). Plenty of activities are planned for the day that salutes Louisiana Thoroughbreds. Seven races will be contested including six stakes, all with purses of $67,000. The draw for the six features on Louisiana Cup Day will take place on Saturday, July 30. The stakes are as follows:

$67,000 Louisiana Cup Juvenile                    2 YO LA-Bred                        5 ½ furlongs

$67,000 Louisiana Cup Juvenile Fillies          2 YO Fillies LA-Bred             5 ½ furlongs

$67,000 Louisiana Cup Filly & Mare Sprint  3 YO & Up F&M, LA-Bred  Six furlongs

$67,000 Louisiana Cup Sprint                        3 YO & Up LA-Bred              Six furlongs

$67,000 Louisiana Cup Turf Classic              3 YO & Up LA-Bred              1 1/16 miles (T)

$67,000 Louisiana Cup Distaff                      3 YO & Up F & M LA-Bred  1 1/16 miles (T)

Trainer Allen Landry Pointing Five Including Net a Bear to Cup Day

Each of the Louisiana racetracks host  a stakes day saluting Louisiana Thoroughbreds. Last Saturday, was Louisiana Legends Night at Evangeline Downs. One very familiar Louisiana-bred mare, Net a Bear did not disappoint as the favorite in the $75,000 Turf Distaff.  With Tim Thornton aboard, the 6-year-old daughter of Awesome Bet made her usual late run and drew off tin the one-mile turf stakes, winning by 1 ¼ lengths.

Bred by Lora Pitre and Elaine Carroll, Net a Bear is owned by Maximo Lamarche and Federico Deltoro and trained by Allen Landry.Since she began her career in 2018, the bay mare, versatile on turf or dirt, has won 12 of her 33 lifetime starts and following the victory at Evangeline Downs, upped her earnings to $615,970.  Her first stakes win came at Louisiana Downs when she captured the 2019 Elge Rasberry and she was a convincing winning last year in the Louisiana Cup Distaff.  Remarkably, Net a Bear has been a stakes winner at each of the four Louisiana racetracks and will defend her title in the Louisiana Cup Day Distaff.

“She’s tough as hell,” said Landry. “Even when she gets in trouble, she gets clear and gives it her all. She just has an incredible turn of foot!”

He likes his chances with Vodka Gimlet for owner Ellen Epstein in the Louisiana Cup Turf Classic and feels that World War IV Racing’s Ranch Water is poised for a good effort in the Louisiana Cup Juvenile.

“He won his first time out, despite breaking in the air and getting shuffled back” explained Landry. “When he circled the field and came running, we thought he had something special.”

Landry has been prominent on Louisiana Cup, with victories by Chu Chu’s Legacy in the $50,000 Louisiana Cup Juvenile and Rodney Verret’s Laughingsaintssong who won the Louisiana Cup Day Sprint in 2019 and 2020.

“We just ran him for a tag on July 25,” said Landry. “He’s getting older, but ran a game third.”

But no chance of Landry dropping Net a Bear anytime in her racing career.

“We plan on running her through the end of the year and then she will be pointed to her second career as a broodmare,” he stated.

 

Free Like a Girl to Return in the Louisiana Cup Filly & Mare Sprint

2021 Louisiana Thoroughbred  Breeders Association (LTBA) Champion 2-year-old filly Free Like a Girl will return to Louisiana Downs on Cup Day to run in the six-furlong Louisiana Cup Filly & Mare Sprint.

Her unique story began when she was in foal to a mare named Flashy Prize. Retired jockey Kim Renee Stover and her sister, Lisa Osborne  were able to purchase the mare for just $500. She foaled at Stover’s farm in Starks, Louisiana on February 24, 2019.

Free Like a Girl was sent to Carl Deville and his daughter, Chasey Deville Pomier and began her racing career for owner Gerald Bruno, Jr., running second in open company at Lone Star Park.

On July 9 at Evangeline Downs, Free Like a Girl notched her first win. Pedro Cotto, Jr. had the call and has remained her rider to date. Despite a poor break in the $50,000 Louisiana Juvenile Fillies on August 21 at Louisiana Downs, in which she spotted her rivals by ten lengths,  she rallied for third. Free Like a Girl sparkled in the  $60,000 D.S. Shine Young Futurity on September 21 at Evangeline Downs and won back-to back stakes at Delta Downs. She dominated nine rivals in the $100,000 Louisiana Jewel on October 22 and scored another impressive victory one month later in the $100,000 My Trusty Cat Stakes.

Her final two starts of 2021 came at Fair Grounds where she ran second in the $100,000 Louisiana Lassie on Champions Day. But she left no doubt as to who was best 2-year-old filly the $109,600 Louisiana Futurity. The bay filly quickly took command, extending her lead andcrossing the wire of the six furlong feature by 6 ¼ lengths in a final time of 1:11.11.

Free Like a Girl began her 3-year-old campaign on February 5 with a gate-to-wire romp on Louisiana Premier Day at Delta Downs, winning the $100,000 Starlet by four lengths. Her connections sent her to Oaklawn Park where she ran fourth in the Grade 3, $300,000 Honeybee on February 26 to the much heralded Secret Oath.

“There were people who disagreed with her running outside of Louisiana, but she deserved a chance,” said Stover. “We were not embarrassed.”

After winning the $75,000 Louisiana Legends Soiree at Evangeline Downs, Free Like a Girl ran a credible third in the $225,000 Iowa Oaks (G3) on July 9 at Prairie Meadows.

Free Like a Girl has won seven of her 14 starts and has already banked $423,873 for owners  Gerald Bruno, Jr; Carl J, Deville; Chasey Deville Pomier and Jerry Caroom.

“She came out of the race well and we are looking forward to running her at Louisiana Downs,” said Stover.

 

Louisiana Cup Day Festivities

Racing fans of all ages are invited to enjoy the festivities offered on August 6 at Louisiana Downs.

Family-friendly activities on the trackside apron include live music, inflatable bounce houses and water slides, face painting, and much more! Also, enjoy tasty bites from the city’s best food trucks. And don’t forget to claim your FREE $5 wager while you are there!

Handicapping Preview Show Begins at Noon on Cup Day

Louisiana Downs track announcer John McGary and regional racing publicist Martha Claussen will team up for a pre-race handicapping preview at 12:00 pm in the Inside Rail, located on the first floor of the grandstand. They will offer analysis and their selections for each of the races on the Louisiana Cup Day card. The seminar is free and open to all racing fans.

Scholarship Drawings Set for Louisiana Cup Day

The Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association (LTBA) will award two (2) scholarships, each valued at $1,000, during the event.

The drawings will take place after the fifth race. The races begin at 1:45 p.m. and the student must be there to register between 12:45 p.m. and 1:45 p.m. at the designated registration booth. The requirements for the scholarship are as follows:

Must be a college student enrolled full-time for Fall 2022.

Must be in good standing with the college or university.

Must be present at the drawing location to win.

Must have university ID number or Social Security number.

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

Trainer, Jockey and Owner Leaderboard

As of July 27, Shane Wilson, who was honored as 2021 Louisiana Down leading trainer, continues to top his fellow conditioners with 35wins and an impressive 64% in the money stat. Joey Foster and Greg Tracy have both saddled 20 winners with Hall of Fame conditioner Steve Asmussen in fourth place with 15 wins.

Last year’s leading jockey Carlos Lozada moved into a tie for first place in the jockey standings with Jose Guerrero. Both riders have won 55 wins since the meet began on May 7. Joel Dominguez and Alexander Castillo are tied for third with 21 wins each. Vincente Del-Cid follows with 19 wins.

Emanuel Nieves was injured two weeks ago and underwent successful surgery on July 25 to repair his broken right arm. He was in third place with 29 victories prior to the spill. We wish him a speedy recovery!

Wayne T. Davis is the leading owner with 13 wins to date. Greg Tracy is second with 10 top finishes and End Zone Athletics, Inc. Asmussen and Elite Thoroughbred Racing LLC are tied for third with six wins each.

The 2022 Thoroughbred meet at Louisiana Downs began on May 7 with live racing each Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday. The 84-day live racing season will conclude  on September 27.

About Louisiana Downs

Located near Shreveport in Bossier City, Louisiana, Louisiana Downs opened in 1974 and is now owned by Rubico Acquisition Corporation. With annual Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing seasons, the track is committed to presenting the highest quality racing programs paired with its 150,000 square foot entertainment complex offering casino gambling, dining and plasma screen televisions for sports and simulcast racing.

NET A BEAR RALLIES IN FINAL YARDS TO WIN THE $60,000 OPELOUSAS STAKES

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ALLEN LANDRY TRAINEE PICKS UP SECOND STAKES VICTORY OF THE SEASON

 

Net A Bear edges Lady Valentine to take the Opelousas Stakes. Coady Photography.

 

OPELOUSAS, LA –Racegoers enjoying the Family Night activities at Evangeline Downs witnessed Net a Bear pick up another stakes victory in the $60,000 Opelousas Stakes on Friday night.  The Allen Landry trainee was a winner of the Louisiana Legends Turf Distaff in her most recent start.  The one-mile race for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up, originally scheduled for the turf, was contested over a main track rendered sloppy by persistent afternoon rains.

Lady Valentine was away sharpest from her inside post and set out to an early lead, with Splenda Gail and favored Quin Ella in close pursuit.  Net a Bear and jockey Tim Thornton were away in good order and settled into stride towards the back of the field of seven runners.  Lady Valentine was allowed to set comfortable fractions of an opening quarter-mile in 24.07 and a half-mile in 47.81.  Moving into the far turn Quinn Ella edged forward past Splenda Gail to put some pressure on Lady Valentine, while Net a Bear was steadily gaining on the leaders while saving ground with an inside trip.

Through six furlongs in 1:12.92, Quinn Ella moved to the lead at the top of the lane outside of Lady Valentine.  Net a Bear was angled out from the rail to the middle of the track to commence her stretch winning drive.  In the final sixteenth of a mile, Lady Valentine had battled back to retake the lead from Quinn Ella but was not able to hold off Net a Bear in the final yards.  Net a Bear’s winning margin was a neck over Lady Valentine, with Quinn Ella another 1-1/2 lengths back in third.  The running time for the mile was 1:39.52.

Owned by Maximo Lamarche and Federico Deltoro, Net a Bear earned $36,000 for the victory.  The win is the 13th from 35 career starts and increased her lifetime earnings to $651,970.

The 6-year-old mare was bred in Louisiana by Lora Pitre and Elaine Carroll.  Sired by Awesome Bet, the bay mare is out of the Eddington mare Edacious Reality.

Net a Bear returned $6.10 as the slight second-choice in the wagering to win, $3.80 to place and $2.20 to show.  Lady Valentine was worth $8.20 to place and $3.40 to show.  Quinn Ella paid $2.60 to show.

Live racing resumes on Saturday with a 5:30pm first post.  The featured event is the $60,000 John Henry Stakes.  The Evangeline Downs Thoroughbred season runs on a Wednesday thru Saturday schedule until August 27.

Net a Bear Reasserts Her Dominance Winning Red Camelia

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Net A Bear with jockey Colby Hernandez aboard wins the 46th running of the $60,000 Red Camelia Stakes at Fair Grounds. Hodges Photography / Lou Hodges, Jr.

Formful Fort Polk doesn’t give an inch, but settles for second

New Orleans, LA (March 5, 2022) In a workmanlike performance, Maximo Lamarche and Frederico Deltoro’s Net a Bear bested her three rivals in the 46th running of the $60,000 Red Camelia Stakes, reasserting her claim yet again as the top Louisiana-bred mare. A versatile 6-year-old who keeps getting better, Net a Bear is now perfect from three starts in 2022. Always ready and willing for trainer Allen Landry, Net a Bear followed up a dirt score in the Premier Distaff at Delta Downs with Saturday’s win on turf.

“She pretty much does whatever you ask,” Allen Landry said. “She is in fine form.”

Traveling a mile over the Stall-Wilson turf course, the odds-on .60-1 favorite Net a Bear tracked the leading pair, while 3.40-1 Offspring’s front-running bid did little to discourage 3.90-1 Fort Polk from tightly pressing less than a length off the 24.47 and 48.84 early calls. Fort Polk took over off the second turn and held the advantage into the stretch, while Net a Bear loomed, gearing up for her late kick down the center of the course. She slowly grinded by Fort Polk late, winning by ¾ of a length and stopping the timer in 1:40.65 with the rail eight feet out on a firm course. It was another four lengths back to Offspring in third and Blessed Anna finished last of the four.

Jockey Colby Hernandez took his first spin aboard Net a Bear, following Landry’s instructions to a T.

“He (Landry) told me not to let her fall too far out of it and don’t rush her up,” Hernandez said. “She broke into a good spot. Down the lane she switched leads and went about her business getting the win.”

Landry has had the 6-year-old mare by Awesome Bet in his barn since the beginning. He notched her fourth win in seven turf starts at Fair Grounds, including the 2020 Red Camelia. Net a Bear now has a lifetime record of 31-11-6-6 with $561,670 in the bank.

 

VODKA GIMLET WINS SECOND STAKES RACE OF THE SEASON IN THE BIG DRAMA AT DELTA DOWNS

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ALLEN LANDRY TRAINEE GETS CLEAR LATE TO NIP LIGHTNING STRUCK AT THE WIRE

 

Vodka Gimlet wins the Big Drama S. at Delta Downs. Coady Photography.

 

VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs hosted the $75,000 Big Drama Stakes for 3-year-olds on Saturday afternoon and it was Ellen Epstein’s Vodka Gimlet who got the win under jockey Thomas Pompell. It was the second straight stakes victory for the Allen Landry trainee as he also won the $100,000 Louisiana Premier Day Prince at Delta Downs just 21 days earlier.

 

In the early stages of the Big Drama it was a speed duel between Brian’s Iron Mike and Feisty Fist, who clicked off early fractions of 23.57 seconds for the quarter mile and 47.47 for the half. The pair began to feel pressure from the closers as they entered the second turn of the seven-furlong affair as Totalizer came to the attack three wide wile Vodka Gimlet was bottled up behind rivals.

 

As the field entered the top of the homestretch after traveling three-quarters in 1:14.61, Vodka Gimlet angled out from behind horses and took aim at Lightning Struck and Totalizer who were dueling inside the sixteenth pole. In the final strides Vodka Gimlet was able to overhaul his rivals and record the win by a neck over Lightning Struck while Totalizer settled for third, another ¾ of a length behind the top pair.

 

Vodka Gimlet stopped the clock in 1:28.59 over a track what was listed as fast all day.

 

Vodka Gimlet has now won three races lifetime from seven overall starts. His $45,000 paycheck on Saturday upped his career bankroll to $147,645.

 

Bred in Louisiana by 5 B Farm, Inc, Vodka Gimlet is a 3-year-old bay gelding by Goldencents, out of the Out of Place mare Shy Baby.

 

Sent to the gate at odds of 8-5, Vodka Gimlet paid $5.40 to win, $3.20 to place and $2.20 to show. Lightning Struck returned $10.80 to place and $5.20 to show. Totalizer was worth $3.40 to show.

 

Delta Downs will conclude its 2021-22 Thoroughbred season next Wednesday through Saturday. Post time each day is scheduled for 12:55 pm.

 

Delta Downs will wrap up its next-to-last race week on Saturday with another nine-race program starting at 12:55 pm. The featured race is the $75,000 Big Drama Stakes for 3-year-olds competing at seven furlongs.

For more information about the current season visit the track’s website at www.deltadownsracing.com. Fans can also get information about the track through Facebook by visiting the page ‘Delta Downs Racing’. The track’s Twitter handle is @deltaracing.

 

Delta Downs Racetrack Casino and Hotel, a property of Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE:BYD), features exciting casino action, live horse racing and fun dining experiences. Delta Downs is located in Vinton, Louisiana, on Delta Downs Drive. Fro

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

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Trainer Allen Landry Wins Two of the Six Features

 

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

 

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

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

 

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

 

 

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

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

Crescentcitypretty ran second, followed by Snowball and Dance Away.

 

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

 

Registration Still Open for the Annual Charity Golf Tournament

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

 

Sign in for the event’s Four Person Scramble kicks off at 10:00 a.m. with tee off at 10:30 a.m.  The fee is $80 per personor $320 for a four-person team.  The fee includes green fees, golf cart, lunch, and Super Derby t-shirt/cap. Trophies will be presented to the first, second and third-place teams.

 

The deadline to enter is Wednesday, August 25th. Attendees can register in person in the Louisiana Downs Racing office, or by mail. Checks should be payable to The Backside Benevolence Fund and mailed to:  Jennifer Sokol, Harrah’s Louisiana Downs, 8000 East Texas Street, Bossier City, Louisiana, 71111.  For further information, please contact Jennifer Sokol at (318) 741-2512 or (318) 573-5830.

 

Louisiana Downs Live Racing Schedule

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

LOUISIANA LEGENDS NIGHT EXCITEMENT THRILLS FANS AT EVANGELINE DOWNS

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CILLA BECOMES FIRST BLACK-TYPE WINNER FOR CALIFORNIA CHROME

 

OPELOUSAS, LA –Evangeline Downs hosted the annual celebration of the Louisiana-bred Thoroughbreds with Louisiana Legends Night on Saturday.  The exciting card featured six stakes races, each with a purse of $70,000 highlighted the card.

 

Persistent rains throughout the week forced all the races to be run on the main track.  The Soiree was contested over a muddy track, but a downpour after that race left the card sloppy for the remaining races.

 

Cilla wins Louisiana Legends Mademoiselle. Coady Photography

The $70,000 Mademoiselle featured what may have been the most impressive performance of the evening as Cilla powered away to victory.  The 3-year-old Brett Brinkman trainee scratched out of the one-mile Soiree to face older fillies and mares in the Mademoiselle.  That decision proved fruitful with the sensational turn of foot produced on the far turn.  Traveling in mid-pack as Strong Beauty and Southern Beauty battled through fractions of 21.64 and 45.05, jockey Joel Dominguez sent Cilla up to challenge with a four-wide move at the top of the lane.  While racing six wide, Cilla stormed away from her rivals to win by 4-1/4 lengths, stopping the timer in 1:03.74.   Evangeline Downs Distaff winner Snowball rallied up the rail to finish second and Strong Beauty held on well for third.

 

Campaigned by P. Dale Ladner, and was bred by the partnership of Brinkman and Ladner.  Sired by California Chrome, she is out of the Into Mischief mare Sittin at the Bar.  The Mademoiselle victory was the second impressive win over a sloppy track, along with a win at Delaware Park last August.

 

Cilla returned $19.60 as the winner, $6.20 to place and $4.20 to show.  Snowball paid $4.20 to place and $2.60 to show.  Strong Beauty paid $4.40 to show.  With the $42,000 winner’s prize, Cilla pushed her career earnings to $143,500.

 

Winning Romance. Coady Photography.

The $70,000 Soiree, for 3-year-old fillies, was contested by a field of just four runners over the one-mile distance.  Winning Romance, trained by W. Bret Calhoun, broke alertly and traveled comfortably in tandem with Half Koo Koo for the first half-mile.  Jockey Diego Saenz asked his runner for more on the far turn, and she quickly responded.  Winning Romance’s lead widened throughout the lane with the winning margin an incredible 20-3/4 lengths.  Inawic, who tracked the leaders down the backside, finished second and Tecate Time was along for third.  The final time was a hand-timed 1:38.75.

 

Winning Romance, sired by First Samurai, and out of the Flatter mare Lipstick Junky, returned $2.60 to win and $2.10 to place.  Inawic returned $4.00 to place.  There was no show wagering in the short field.  The Allied Racing Stables, LLC (Chester Thomas) runner pushed her career earnings to $135,441.

 

Chu Chu’s Legacy. Coady Photography.

The $70,000 Cheval was contested in a torrential rainstorm that arrived shortly before post-time.  Chu Chu’s Legacy was quickly away in the one-mile affair, and was never headed, scoring a front-running six-length victory.  The winner owned and trained by Allen Landry is a son of Bind, out of the Johannesburg mare Bond’s Babe.  Jockey Joe Stokes urged his runner along in splits of 23.59, 47.41 and 1:12.36, before stopping the timer in 1:39.18 for the eight furlongs.

 

Runner-up Wise Verdict made a move inside of rivals on the turn to get in position turning for home, while third-place finisher Beauregard was well placed throughout, but unable to threaten the leader.

 

The winner returned $10.60 to win, $6.40 to place and $4.80 to show.  Wise Verdict rewarded backers with $9.60 to place and $6.00 to show.  Longshot Beauregard paid $13.80 to show.  Chu Chu’s Legacy ran his total earnings to $176,350 with the triumph.

 

Bertie’s Galaxy. Coady Photography

The $70,000 Sprint, over a distance of 5-1/2 furlongs, was a family affair as half-siblings Bertie’s Galaxy and Wild Bert battled from the start and finished one-two.  Both runners are out of the Wild Rush dam, Wild Bertie, with the winner being the younger brother and sired by Greeley’s Galaxy.

 

Wild Bert sped through early fractions of 21.86 and 45.04, with Bertie’s Galaxy in close attendance to the outside of the leader.  Moving to challenge on the far turn, jockey Diego Saenz swept up with the Ron Faucheux runner to take the lead approaching the quarter pole.  The pair steadily drew away through the lane to win by 3-1/4 lengths in a time of 1:03.53.  Wild Bertie was well clear as the runner-up, with Laughingsaintssong another 3-1/2 lengths back in third.

Bertie’s Galaxy’s pushed his career earnings to $225,750.  Owned by Allen Cassedy and trained by Ron Faucheux, Bertie’s Galaxy was sent off as the second choice at 2-1 and paid $6.00 to win, $3.60 to place and $2.80 to show. Wild Bert returned $7.20 to place and $4.60 to show.  Laughingsaintssong returned $5.00 to show.

 

 

Offspring. Coady Photography.

The $70,000 Turf Distaff was the second straight stakes victory for Offspring.  The 5-year-old mare by Into Mischief, out of the Pioneering mare Pioneer Gal, had previously won a stakes at the Fair Grounds.  Away in good order under jockey Roberto Morales, Offspring was allowed to settle off the moderate fractions being set by Distractor Factor, traveling just off the leader through splits of 25.06 and 49.68.  Saber Cut was up to put pressure on Distractor Factor as Offspring moved alongside, while Quikfast N Ahurry ranged up four-wide past 6-furlongs in 1:14.55.  As they straightened away, Offspring surged between rivals to poke her head in front at the top of the lane and fought off her rivals for a 1-3/4 length victory in 1:39.57.  Quikfast N Ahurry battled on for second, 1-1/4 lengths in front of favored Net a Bear in third.

 

Owned by Oak Tree Stable (Bennett E. Powel) and trained by Edward J. Johnston, Offspring rewarded backers with a win price of $7.80, $4.80 to place and $2.60 to show.  Quikfast N Ahurry paid $5.60 to place and $3.20 to show, with Net a Bear at $2.40 to show.  The career bankroll increased to $219,478 with the winning share of the purse.

 

Maga Man. Coady Photography.

The $70,000 Turf was the final stakes race of the night and was won in wire-to-wire fashion by Maga Man.  A quick start from the inside post allowed Maga Man, with jockey Kevin Smith, to set reasonable fractions of 48.17 for a half-mile and 1:12.74 for the six-furlong split.  With Grand Luwegee in close attendance throughout, Maga Man repelled that challenge at the top of the lane and held sway in the final yards to hold off a late rally up the rail from Jax Man in a time of 1:38.36.  The rider of Jax Man, Casey Fusilier, lodged an objection and the stewards also posted the inquiry sign regarding the final yards of the one-mile race.  After reviewing the videotapes, the stewards found there was insufficient evidence to change the order of finish.

 

The 6-year-old son of Musket Man, and out of the Pulling Punches mare Lew’s Gray, runs for the Whispering Oaks Farm, LLC of Carrol Castille.  Trained by Steven B. Flint, the winner returned $11.80 to win, $5.20 to place and $3.20 to show.  Runner-up Jax Man paid $6.20 to place and $2.80 to show.  Grand Luwegee paid $3.20 to show.  With the victory, Maga Man increased his career bankroll to $233,960.

 

For more information on racing at Evangeline Downs, visit the track’s website atwww.evdracing.com and on Twitter @evdracing.  Racing continues on a Wednesday thru Saturday schedule until the end of the meet on September 18.

 

Evangeline Downs Racetrack Casino and Hotel, a property of Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE:BYD), features exciting casino action, live horse racing and fun dining experiences. Evangeline Downs is located in Opelousas, Louisiana, off I-49 on Cresswell Lane at Exit 18.

 

Saints N Muskets Wins Magnolia Stakes

louisianathoroughbred

Magnolia Stakes
Delta Downs, 1-12-21, 8 furlongs
4YO & Up, Accredited Louisiana bred, fillies and mares, $75,000

Saints N Muskets wins the 2021 Magnolia Stakes at Delta Downs

SAINTS N MUSKETS
Musket Man–Laughing Saint
Breeder: J. E. Jumonville Jr. & Bunny Jumonville
Owner: Rodney J. Verret
Trainer: Allen Landry
Jockey: Joe Stokes

2nd
Sarah’s Passion
Songandaprayer–My Holy Belle
Breeder: Perform Stables Inc.
Owner: Perform Stables, Inc.
Trainer: Allen Landry
Jockey: Joel Dominguez

3rd
Smok’n Rita
Misremembered–Wicked Rita
Breeder: Linda Guidry
Owner: Linda Guidry
Trainer: Connie Mack Guidry
Jockey: Kevin J. Smith

Chu Chu’s Legacy Proves Best in Louisiana Cup Juvenile

louisianathoroughbred

Louisiana Cup Juvenile
Louisiana Downs, 9-19-20, 6 furlongs
2YO Accredited Louisiana Breds, $50,000

Chu Chu’s Legacy wins the Louisiana Cup Juvenile. Hodges photo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHU CHU’S LEGACY
Bind–Bond’s Babe
Breeder: J. Adcock & Hume Wornall
Owner: Allen Landry
Trainer: Allen Landry
Jockey: Timothy Thornton

2nd
Janets Jay Jay
Orthodox–Just Call Me Janet
Breeder: Bentley T Early
Owner: William Dees
Trainer: William Dees
Jockey: Luis Batista

3rd
Creole Charlie
My Pal Charlie–Cajun Yankee
Breeder: Horseplayers Racing LLC
Owner: Horseplayers Racing LLC
Trainer: Justin Jeansonne
Jockey: Pedro L. Cotto, Jr.