Category: Brittlyn Stable

Wilson At the Top of Fair Grounds’ 152nd Season of Racing

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  • The 152nd racing season saw stakes purses rise to $9.95 million, the richest in Louisiana’s history

New Orleans, La (March 27, 2024) – Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots wrapped up its 152nd season of racing on Sunday, March 24, having offered the richest stakes schedule in Louisiana history at $9.95 million. The 2023 – 2024 trainer, owner, and jockey title winners all extended from one barn, as Shane Wilson finished atop all conditioners, first call Jose Guerrero earned top pilot honors, and Brittlyn Stable hoisted the owner’s title.

Brad Cox swept Fair Grounds’ “Road to the Kentucky Oaks” series presented by Fasig-Tipton,  sending out Alpine Princess in the $100,000 Untapable Stakes, West Omaha in the $150,000 Silverbullerday, and Tarifa who took both the $300,000 Rachel Alexandra (G2) and the $400,000 Fair Grounds Oaks (G2).. 

The meet began as it did the year prior, with Louisiana Champions Day Preview Weekend on Nov. 17-18, featuring six stakes written for horses bred in the Pelican State. On Saturday, Dec. 2, the Claiming Crown was held at Fair Grounds, the first time since 2011, followed by Louisiana Champions Day on Dec. 9. The pinnacle of the meet was Louisiana Derby Day on March 23, when eight stakes were carded, including four graded affairs. The 111th running of the $1 million TwinSpires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) was the highlight of the 73 stakes contested over the 76-racing day meet. Trained by Brad Cox, Albaugh Family Stable’s Catching Freedom put on a stellar performance to go from last to first and catapult to the top of the Kentucky Derby Leaderboard Standings. 

The 2023-2024 meet began with unveiling two new barns, erected to replace those wrecked in 2021 by Hurricane Ida. The Stall-Wilson turf course maintained its integrity throughout the meet, showcasing many of the sport’s best grass runners, like the rising star I’m Very Busy who dazzled the full field of older males to win the $300,000 Muniz Memorial (G2) presented by Horse Racing Nation on March 23. 

Another race that will be forever remembered took place on Louisiana Derby Day, as Set-Hut’s Louisiana-bred Touchuponastar ran his heart out on the lead only to be chased down late by Winchell Thoroughbreds’ Red Route One for trainer Steve Asmussen in the $500,000 New Orleans Classic (G2) presented by Relyne GI By Hagyard.

The 76-day meet featured all the traditions that horsemen, horseplayers, and fans adore: Miles Ahead won the 99th running of the $200,000 Thanksgiving Classic for trainer Paul McGee; the Road to the Derby series saw Track Phantom walk over from Steve Amsussen’s barn to score the first two legs with the Gun Runner and the Lecomte; Chad Brown shipped Sierra Leone in to take the Risen Star. Low takeout in the 50-cent Pick 5 and $1 Pick 6 pools remained at 15%. 

Coinciding with the Black Gold Stakes, on March 2 Fair Grounds celebrated the 100-year anniversary of Black Gold becoming the first Louisiana Derby champion to win the Kentucky Derby. His connections’ family were in attendance as the ceremonial wreath was placed at Black Gold’s grave in the infield.

Celebrating its 25th year, the Claiming Crown returned to Fair Grounds on Dec. 2. With purses ranging from $75,000 to $200,000, the card showcased Money Supply from trainer Joe Sharp who scored in the $200,000 Jewel, and later won the $300,000 Mineshaft Presented by Relyne GI By Hagyard (G3). Sharp had another strong meet, finishing sixth in the standings with over $1 million in purse earnings. 

Inspired by strong handle during the first seven weeks of the meet, Fair Grounds announced a 10% purse increase across the board, along with $25,000 added to the purses of ten stakes. 

Fair Grounds meet leading trainer Shane Wilson (right) and son Conner. Hodges Photography.

Wilson’s hot start to the meet never cooled off, and the trainer put a bow on his first Fair Grounds title winning three races in a row on Closing Day, including two stakes with Brittlyn Stable’s Ova Charged and Behemah Star. Tallying 50 on top finishes, Wilson earned over $2 million in purses. Having transferred her string to Wilson’s care prior to the meet, with 14 wins Evelyn Benoit of Brittlyn Stable was awarded her second owner’s title in the last three years. Also stabling Thoroughbreds with Shane Wilson, owner Wayne T. Davis finished in second with 12 wins.

Leading Jockey, J.A. Guerrero. Hodges Photography.

Jockey newcomer Jose Guerrero piloted 48 to the winner’s circle for Wilson, plus four for other connections, to take the riding title with 52 in total. The title for leading rider came down to the last day as fans saw Guerrero win three races in a row on Closing Day’s 15-race card, edging out Jareth Loveberry by one win. Three new additions to the jockey colony finished at the top of the standings, as Ben Curtis and Jaime Torres joined Jose Guerrero in the top five. On Dec. 3 jockey James Graham brought home his 3,000th career win, piloting Vortex for trainer Keith Desormeaux. 

Having achieved a 5,000th career win prior to the meet, Corey Lanerie added 49 more to his tally, finishing third in the standings–very much in striking distance of his first ever local title. No win was more special than in the final race of the meet when he piloted Chasey Pomier’s Free Like a Girl to win the $100,000 Shantel Lanerie Memorial, which is named in honor of Corey’s departed wife.  

Donned the “Cajun Queen” by track announcer John G. Dooley, Brittlyn Stable’s 6-year-old mare Ova Charged took the title in four stakes for a perfect meet, highlighted by beating open company fillies and mares sprinting across the Stall-Wilson Turf Course in the $100,000 Mardi Gras Stakes.

The veteran turf router trained by Tanner Tracy, Joel B. Hunsburger’s Niles Channel was the first to four wins this meet (from six tries). Only to be outdone by Ova Charged’s perfect record and gaudy speed figures. Thirteen different Thoroughbreds won three races each, including Dream Walkin’ Farms’ Wardy for Joe Duhon and Rigney Racing’s Speedy Traveler for Philip Bauer. Those two joined Tarifa and Ova Charged with perfect records on the meet. Set-Hut’s Touchuponastar reigned supreme as the top Louisiana-bred, winning the $150,000 Louisiana Champions Day Classic. The $100,000 Star Guitar Stakes went to Brittlyn Stable’s Behemah Star. 

Many famed connections continued their tradition of remarkable success at Fair Grounds. Tom Amoss finished second in the trainer standings with 28 wins and over $1 million in purse earnings. At a 28% strike rate, Brad Cox was right behind with 27 on the meet. Having saddled Catching Freedom ahead of his Louisiana Derby victory, Cox was also celebrated for repeating an Oaks-Derby prep sweep on Louisiana Derby Day, which he also accomplished in 2020 with Bonny South and Wells Bayou. New Orleans-natives Dallas Stewart (15 wins) and Al Stall Jr. (14) also finished in the top ten of the trainer standings.

New barns which had headline-grabbing meets included two young and hungry trainers from the NYRA circuit, as Rob Atras won an impressive 43% clip with 6 scores and Robert Falcone Jr. finished at 31% with 5. 

On Saturday, Feb. 24, Fair Grounds honored the equine athletes with the fourth annual “New Vocations Day at the Races.” Jockey Rosie Napravnik, a four-time local champion, joined Fair Grounds personality Joe Kristufek on-air to raise money for all aspects of racehorse aftercare.

At season’s end, four of the top ten and six of the top 20 horses on the Kentucky Derby points leaderboard ran in Fair Grounds’ prep series. Last year Two Phil’s, Angel of Empire, and Disarm traveled Fair Grounds’ road to the Derby starting gates to finish 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, respectively. If recent history is any inclination, many of the top performers from Fair Grounds’ 2023 – 2024 meet will go forward to snatch purses and grab headlines on horse racing’s national scene.

Behemah Star Scores Second Star Guitar Stakes

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Behemah Star with J.A. Guerrero (pink cap) aboard turns for home and goes on to win the Star Guitar Stakes at Fair Grounds. Hodges Photography / Jan Brubaker

With the 2022 edition already on his resume, Brittlyn Stable’s Behemah Star scored his second $100,000 Star Guitar Stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots on Sunday. The son of Star Guitar beat four older Louisiana-bred males, putting 2 1/2 lengths between he and Budro Talking to complete the 1 1/16 miles in 1:45.05.

Trained by Fair Grounds’ 2023 – 2024 leading trainer Shane Wilson, Behemah Star’s pilot was Jose Guerrero.

“I knew he was ready,” Guerrero said. “Last time he got tired but today I knew he was ready. I was really comfortable the way he did it. I really appreciate this opportunity from Mr. Shane and Ms. Benoit. It’s really nice to ride for these kinds of people.”

Breaking to the lead and setting an opening call in :26.17, soon Behemah star was taken over by Budro Talking who led the way from the rail through a second quarter of :50.17. Comfortable to stalk in second, Behemah Star saved his run for the end, bidding by Budro Talking who finished second. Blue Cheese came late for third.

Behemah Star completed the Star-Guitar-sired stakes Daily Double, as Ova Charged won the Page Cortez sprinting on the turf the race prior.

“These Star Guitars can do everything,” Wilson said. “He’s had stakes winners on the dirt, on the turf. Every week he’s producing another one. He’s the best sire in the state. We’re thankful Ms. Benoit has given us a chance this meet. It’s been a blast to run in these kinds of races and get the job done for her.”

The versatile 6-year-old has a career record of 23-7-7-4 with $435,421 in the bank.

Never a Doubt in Page Cortez as Ova Charged Crowned “Cajun Queen”

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Britlyn Stable’s Ova Charged with jockey J.A. Guerrero aboard pulls away to win the 3rd running of the $100,000 -+Page Cortez Stakes at Fair Grounds.  Hodges Photography / Lou Hodges, Jr.

 

For her fourth stakes win of the 152nd Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots meet, Brittlyn Stable’s Ova Charged shot out of the gates and never looked back, winning the $100,000 Page Cortez Stakes by 12 1/2 lengths. Stablemate Rue La La ran second to complete the Brittlyn Stable-homebred, Star Guitar-sired exacta in the 5 1/2-furlong turf contest. One race later in the Star Guitar Stakes, Behemah Star added to the sire’s flair to complete the Star Guitar-sired stakes Daily Double.

“She’s a special, special horse,” owner Evelyn Benoit said. “So sweet. So calm. She’s just a sweetheart and so is Rue La La. She is the gift from Star Guitar that keeps giving. Star Guitar is the gift that keeps on giving–Al Stall said that years ago and it’s true. Ova Charged’s sister, Manama Gold is the talk of Dubai, undefeated. It makes me feel so good to have (Ova Charged) known internationally.”

Trained by Fair Grounds’ 2023 – 2024 leading trainer Shane Wilson, Ova Charged took jockey Jose Guerrero along for the ride, clocking in at 1:01.90.

“She broke really fast this time,” Guerrero said. “I think she outbroke me. That is a nice, nice filly to ride. I want to thank Mr. Shane and Ms. Benoit. I looked back and didn’t see anyone coming and I thought we’ll get this one easy like the last time.”

Last out in the Mardi Gras Stakes, Ova Charged asserted her dominance, beating the field of eight open company fillies and mares by 5 1/4 lengths.

Brittlyn Stable won the owner’s title, the second in the last three years for Evelyn Benoit.

Ove Charged gifted the public $2.20, $2.20, and $2.10.

In 15 starts, the “Cajun Queen” has a 12-1-0 record and $608,780 in jewels and riches.

Ova Charged Romps in the Mardi Gras

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Louisiana-bred Ova Charged wins the Mardi Gras Stakes. Hodges Photo.

New Orleans, La (Feb. 13, 2024) – Brittlyn Stable’s Ova Charged proved her talent does not end at the stateline, as the Louisiana-bred daughter of Star Guitar romped over the nine open company fillies and mares in the 80th running of the $100,000 Mardi Gras Stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.

Trained by Shane Wilson and piloted by Jose Guerrero, Ova Charged completed the about 5 1/2 furlongs across the “good” turf course in 1:03.66 with the portable rails set at 21 feet. 

Breaking in front, Ova Charged was soon joined from the outside by Sweet Temperament, as they knocked off the opening fraction together in :21.91. Showing no wear from the pressure, Ova Charged soon put away her foe surging in the far turn, then extended her lead to over seven lengths in the stretch. The 3-2 favorite Oeuvre made a late run to pass rivals for second, finishing 5 1/4 lengths back.  Redifined offered a late kick for third. 

“I like her both on dirt and turf, but being the first time on the turf I loved the way she felt going around there,” Guerrero said. “She didn’t take a bad step. I believe in her and know what she can do. She’s ready for anything.”

In 2021 Ova Charged followed up an allowance win over open company at Monmouth Park with a second-place finish in the Victory Ride (G3) at Belmont. Since then she has faced open company only once, finishing sixth in an allowance at Keeneland last spring. 

“She ran so well in the (Bob F. Wright) and the timing to this race worked well so we went for it,” Wilson said.

Ova Charged has won 11 of her 14 lifetime starts, including the 2022 Page Cortez Stakes, her only other attempt on the turf. She has banked $548,780.

“Ova Charged had run one time on the turf,” Wilson said. “And it was her largest margin of victory, seven lengths the one time she ran on the turf, so it was always the goal to get her back

on the turf. Her mother never won a race on the dirt. Her mother was a turf-stakes route winner who never won going short or on the dirt.”

Sired by Star Guitar, who won 24 of his 30 lifetime starts, the Brittlyn Stable 6-year-old homebred is out of the Dehere mare Charged Cotton. 

We want to thank Evelyn (Benoit of Brittlyn Stable) so much for putting these horses in our barn,” Wilson said. “It makes us look good to have these Star Guitars–they’re so talented.”

Ova Charged returned $7.60, $3.80, $3.00. Oeuvre paid $3.00, $2.20. Redifined rewarded $3.20.

 

 

Louisiana bred Ova Charged Set to Battle Oeuvre in the Mardi Gras

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New Orleans, La (Feb. 10, 2024) – Two top female sprinters at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots will battle it out for supremacy as Richard Perkins’ Oeuvre and Brittlyn Stable’s Ova Charged face seven other older fillies and mares in the 80th running of the $100,000 Mardi Gras Stakes. Oversubscribed with 12 entries and slated as the 8th race of 9 on Tuesday, Feb. 13, the 5 1/2 furlong turf sprint will be run with the portable rail set at 21 feet.

The Nelson J. Menard winner trained by Chris Block, Oeuvre was tabbed as the 3-1 morning line favorite. As versatile and game as they come, the 5-year-old mare has won 15 races at 5 different tracks on dirt, on turf, sprinting and routing. Having swept the female sprint series last year at Fair Grounds, the 5-year-old Shackleford mare bred in Illinois will break from post 7  with Jareth Loveberry aboard, attempting to rack up her second Mardi Gras.

Two-for-two at the meet and 10-for-13 lifetime, Ova Charged has proven time and again that she is the best female Louisiana-bred sprinter in training. Only one of those wins was against open filly and mare company, as she signs on to face in the Mardi Gras. In her one breeze since her dominant victory in the Bob F. Wright, the daughter of Star Guitar went 4 furlongs in :52 flat on Feb. 7. Trained by Shane Wilson, the seven-length winner of the 2022 Page Cortez over the Stall Wilson turf course will make just her second start on the sod.

“After we got that first race under her belt, she’s good to go (and doesn’t need sharp morning breezes to prepare),” Wilson said. “I really want to see her run on the turf. She’s ran one time before (in the Page Cortez) and ran a 92 Beyer, winning by 7 1/2 lengths. Her mother never won a race on the dirt or sprinting. Charged Cotton was a route, turf horse.”

Made the 4-1 3rd choice in the morning line, the Brittlyn Stable homebred will be guided from post 3 by Jose Guerrero.

John Donaldson’s Carimba returns to Fair Grounds in search of a second stakes victory after running third in the off-the-turf Menard. The Rey Hernandez-trainee sports five wins sprinting on grass, including her score in November’s Pan Zareta. Marcelino Pedroza Jr. returns above the 7-2 morning line second choice and will break from gate 2.

Horseshoe Racing’s Redifined returns after running third in the Pan Zareta last out. With multiple-stakes-placings, including a neck shy in the 2022 Matron (G3), the More Than Ready filly trained by Michelle Lovell has had three drills since scratching out of the Menard.

“It’s a tough race, a really good bunch this year,” Lovell said. “But (Redifined) has been training great. She’s going to have to fight it out and close on them.”

Jaime Torres gets the call and will break Redifined from post 4.

Here’s the complete field for the $100,000 Mardi Gras Stakes from the rail out (with jockey, trainer, and morning line): 1. Dana’s Beauty (Joel Rosario, Joe Sharp, 20-1); 2. Carimba (Marcelino Pedroza Jr., 7-2); 3. Ova Charged (Jose Guerrero, Shane Wilson, 4-1); 4. Redifined (Jaime Torres, Michelle Lovell, 6-1); 5. Brandon’smylawyer (Brian Hernandez Jr., Mike Stidham, 10-1); 6. Poppy Flower (James Graham, Bill Mott, 5-1); 7. Oeuvre (Jareth Loveberry, Chris Block, 3-1); 8. Sweet Temperament (Jose Luis Rodriguez, Keith Bourgeois, 10-1); 9. Breeze Easy (Edgar Morales, Wayne Catalano, 15-1); AE 10. Jumpin Judy (Rey Gutierrez, Karl Broberg, 15-1); AE 11. Lady Hideaway (Joel Rosario, Al Stall Jr., 12-1); AE 12. Naughty Lottie (Ben Curtis, Eduardo Ramirez, 20-1).

Ova Charged Crushes Bob F. Wright Field

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Going faster than the Palmisano-winner Bron and Brow, Brittlyn Stable’s Ova Charged cruised to victory on Saturday in the $100,000 Bob F. Wright Memorial at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.

Trained and piloted by the current meet-leaders Shane Wilson and Jose Guerrero, the 6-year-old daughter of Star Guitar won the Wright by 6 3/4 lengths over Beleout.

“She felt amazing,” Guerrero said. “When she came out of the gate and I asked her a little bit, she went, but I said ‘not yet.’ Last race she was coming off of the layoff, but the way she warmed up today, I knew she was 100% good to go.”

Never being menaced by any of her six foes and leading at every call, Ova Charged stopped the clock in 1:09.75, which is .80 seconds faster than the male stakes winner earlier on the card.

“We knew she was going to get tired in the (Louisiana Champions Day Ladies Sprint),” Wilson said. “I stuck my neck out after that last one and said anybody can come and try her now that we had that race under her belt. I think we showed it today–she is the best sprinting mare in the state. We’ll get her back on the turf (next). She’s undefeated on the turf so we want to show that angle again, too.”

As the 7-5 second-favorite, Ova Charged paid $4.80, $3.20, $2.10. Beleout spiced up the payouts to the tune of $8.20, $2.80. As the public’s top preference, Free Like a Girl returned $2.10.

“When I saw 1:09 I knew she was back,” Evelyn Benoit of Brittlyn Stable said. “She needed the break. Jose Camejo had taken good care of her but the Wilsons took over and everything has worked out perfectly. So excited for Star Guitar. Can’t tell you enough how much I love that stallion.”

Wilson reported he is considering the $100,000 Mardi Gras Stakes on Feb. 13 for Ova Charged’s next start. It would be her third try against open company.

Other than a second-place finish in the Victory Ride (G3) at Belmont, a loss last summer at Keeneland, and a local defeat at the hands of statebred males last spring, Ova Charged has never lost. Undefeated facing statebred fillies, she also has an open company allowance win at Monmouth and can boast a 13-10-1-0 lifetime record with $488,780 in the bank.

 

Set-Hut, Brittlyn Stable Both Snag Two Louisiana Champions Day Stakes

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Touchuponastar Turns Back Tumbarumba for Consecutive Classic

Touchuponastar with jockey Timothy Thornton aboard pulls away to win the 32nd running of the $150,000 Louisiana Champions Day Classic at Fair Grounds. Hodges Photography / Lou Hodges, Jr.
  • The top three finishers in the $150,000 Louisiana Champions Day Classic were bred by Coteau Grove Farms 

New Orleans, La (Dec. 9, 2023) – Set-Hut’s phenom Touchuponastar set the pace and turned back Tumbarumba’s far-turn bid to win his second $150,000 Louisiana Champions Day Classic at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. The 4-year-old son of Star Guitar out of the Lion Heart mare Touch Magic was bred by Coteau Grove, along with the second and third-place finishers, Tumbarumba and Cosmic Train.

When the top two Classic finishers went eyeball to eyeball in the far turn, it was only a matter of a few strides before Touchuponastar put Tumbarumba away and quickly took an insurmountable 3-length advantage. Tumbarumba never stopped trying to re-engage, making up ground late.

Trained by Jeff Delhomme and guided by jockey Tim Thornton, Touchuponastar finished 1 1/4 lengths in front of Tumbarumba and covered the 1 1/8 miles in 1:50.12.

“He’s all class,” Thornton said. “I knew when he got away clean in the first jump that they were going to have to run today to beat him. I was in-hand waiting. He’s such a great horse, they’ve done such a great job with him. It’s a joy to ride him.”

With a lifetime record of 13-10-2-1 and $618,100 in purses, the question remains could former NFL quarterback Jake Delhomme’s Touchuponastar step out of Louisiana and take on top stakes routers.

“The Louisiana breeders program is so great over here,” trainer Jeff Delhomme said. “It gives us the opportunity to run for the money. We don’t need to chase the money. We can stay right here. Would we like another chance next year in the Steve Sexton? Yes. Maybe try him this year in the New Orleans Classic? Yes. I don’t think we need to go far to take on better competition but I think all these Louisiana-breds are giving us all we can handle right now.”

On hand in the winner’s circle, Keith and Ginger Myers of Coteau Grove Farms were able to witness a few of the best of their breeding program run first, second, and third in the Classic.

“What’s special is where we are,” Keith Myers said. “We’re here at home in Louisiana. We’re very close to Jake (Delhomme), and we see the Delhommes as our family. Having success together makes it more special. To have three who were bred at the farm run one, two, three–it’s quite rewarding. Touchuponastar was big and athletic (as a yearling), but I don’t remember having thoughts that this was going to be the one. Really it was a little bit of a surprise.”

 

Mangum Cuts Back, Surges Late to Win $100,000 Sprint

Mangum wins the 2023 Louisiana Champions Day Sprint. Hodges Photo.

After winning the Classic with Touchuponastar earlier in the card, Jake Delhomme’s Set-Hut stepped back into the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots winner’s circle as Mangum surged late through traffic to surprise Bron and Brow in the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Sprint.

Finishing 1/2 lengths back, Bron and Brow survived a steward’s review to secure place honors. Trained by Jeff Delhomme, Mangum covered the six furlongs in 1:10.83.

​​“Jake (brother Delhomme) studied the Form last night,” Jeff said. “And the best numbers he threw were sprinting at Evangeline and Delta so we took a chance (running in the Sprint) and it worked out. We’ve got the entire family here. Winning big races on a day like this is like a dream come true.”

Winner of the Jacob V. Morreale going 1 mile 70 yards over opening weekend, Mangum was guided by Corey Lanerie in both stakes scores.

“Hats off to the entire team,” Lanerie said. “They had this horse ready. He was a lot better than the last time I rode him. We took a lot of dirt early and I was running out of goggles. We had to find somewhere to go. I was rerouting. We found a hole and luckily we had the horse to do it. It’s fun when you get there in time because a lot of times you don’t.”

In the mix against a full field of 14, bettors backed Mangum to the tune of 9-2.

With the Sprint score, the rising 3-year-old now boasts a 12-7-1-3 lifetime record totaling $315,360 in purse earnings.

According to Design Behemah Star Shines on Turf

Behemah Star with J. A. Guerrero aboard captures the 32nd running of the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Turf at Fair Grounds. Hodges Photography / Amanda Hodges Weir

With little early speed signed on for the 33rd running of the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Turf, Behemah Star stole to the front ahead of the far turn and turned back Who Took the Money in the final stages to win by 1 1/4 lengths.

Trainer Shane Wilson had cross-entered Brittlyn Stable’s son of Star Guitar in the Classic, but opted for the Turf.

“This was the total plan,” Wilson said. “We entered in both races. Earlier in the week I got beat on the turf when speed went to the front and we tried to be tactical but they didn’t come back to us. I handicapped this race and didn’t see any speed in here so we decided to go in this spot. (Behemah Star) had run once on the turf and he was forward to run second. We wanted to do something similar again today. It worked out.”

Ridden by jockey Jose Guerrero, Behemah Star pressed the pace through the first two calls and covered the 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.76.

“The plan was to get him out aggressively from the gate,” Guerrero said. “It worked pretty well. I was able to get in a perfect spot behind the inside horse and he slowed down so I slowed down with him, saving energy, and when we got to the 3/8ths pole he exploded and finished it off in front from there.”

Behemah Star rewarded his backers to the tune of 18-1. With a career record of 19-5-5-4, Behmah Star’s first turf tally upped his bank to $309,821.

Ova Charged Survives Photo for Louisiana Champions Day Ladies Sprint Three-peat

 

Ova Charged with jockey J. A. Guerrero aboard gets a head in front of Basalt Street to win the17th running of the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Ladies Sprint at Fair Grounds. Hodges Photography / Lou Hodges, Jr.

Employing her signature stalking speed, Ova Charged beat Basalt Street by a thin lip to take her third $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Ladies Sprint in a row. Stablemate Spirited Beauty ran third. Together with Behemah Star’s Turf win, Brittlyn Stable added two on the day for a record 17 Louisiana Champions Day victories in 33 years of running

By the ubiquitous stallion Star Guitar, the Shane Wilson trainee ran the 6 furlongs in 1:10.67. At 7-5 under jockey Jose Guerrero, Ova Charged has now won 9 times in 12 tries with one place-finish, racking up $428,780 in purses along the way.

After the race trainer Shane Wilson said,  “She was coming off the layoff and we’re trying to get her ready for this date. We skipped the race opening day because I didn’t think she was ready….We hoped her talent and guts would get us there and it worked out. She got a little heavy (tired) at the end but she got there. If you want to win races in Louisiana, then breed to Star Guitar. He’s had more starters and winners today than any other stallion. If you want to be in these big races, then breed to Star Guitar. The credit goes to Miss Evelyn (Benoit). Instead of standing him in Kentucky she kept him here for the local people so we have a chance to have horses like this.”

Free Like a Girl Wires the $100,000 Distaff

Free Like A Girl with jockey Vicente Del-Cid wins the 32nd running of the Louisiana Champions Day Ladies Distaff at Fair Grounds. Hodges Photography / Lou Hodges, Jr.

Leading the pack of fillies at every call, Gerald Bruno Jr., Chasey Deville Pomier, and Jerry Caroom’s Free Like a Girl proved much the best wiring the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Distaff field on Saturday. Holding off all advances, the 4-year-old daughter of El Deal rolled down the homestretch as A G’s Charlotte scrambled to get second, a distant 4 3/4 lengths back.

Trainer Chasey Pomier had entered the versatile 4-year-old in both the Distaff and the Sprint, and just like ahead of her score last out in the Doris Hebert, it was a last-minute decision.

With Vicente Del-Cid back in the irons, Free Like a Girl covered the 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.49.

“We made the decision to run in the Distaff instead of the Ladies Sprint this morning. It’s what we needed to do for her.” said Chasey Pomier, trainer and part-owner. “We thought about the route race last year but ended up going in the Sprint (second to Ova Charged). She’s matured (since then) and we thought she could go the distance today. Going right to the lead was not in my plan but it worked. I take it race by race. She’s going to tell me when she wants to go.”

The recently minted millionaire added $60,000 to bump her bankroll to $1,066,578 and her career record to a hard-knocking 32-15-8-4. The fans knew, making Free Like a Girl the 8-5 favorite.

Good and Stout Just Good Enough in $100,000 Juvenile

Good And Stout with jockey C. J. McMahon gets a nose in front of El Dinero to win the 32nd running of the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile at Fair Grounds. Hodges Photography / Amanda Hodges Weir

C.J. McMahon’s first win at the meet came on the center stage as he guided Whispering Oaks Farm’s Good and Stout to the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile winner’s circle on Saturday at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.

Going 6 furlongs in 1:12.22, the son of Coal Front held off the late rail rally of El Dinero by a nose. Trained by Carol Castille, Good and Stout’s freshman grade card tallies up to 5-2-1-1         along with $101,000 in the piggy bank. Prescient backers were paid $4.80 on each dollar wagered.

 Owner and trainer, Carrol Castille, said of his of Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile winner Good and Stout, “We breed a bunch but we buy some at the sales too, kind of a mixture of both. He was a nice looking individual. We like him a lot. Got lucky and were able to buy the right one. Louisiana-breds dominate our stable and we like to run at home. This colt has been great from day one. He’s very smart, does everything right and he’s a really nice horse to be around. We had a little misfortune at Delta. That DQ was tough, but it’s horse racing and you just have to roll with it. He showed his talent and we got some redemption today, that’s all that matters. I think this horse will want to go further. He’s still learning and developing.

Accommodate Eva Flies Late in Lassie

Jockey Brian Hernandez, Jr. makes a late charge to capture the 32nd running of the Louisiana Champions Day Lassie at Fair Grounds. Hodges Photography / Lou Hodges, Jr.

Flying down the center of the track late, Valene Farm’s Accommodate Eva nailed Clearly a Test to win the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Lassie by 3/4 lengths. After routing in the Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies, trainer Dallas Stewart’s decision to cut back the freshman daughter proved wise.

Under Brian Hernandez Jr., Accommodate Eva was sent postward at 4-1 and covered the six furlongs in 1:11.98. With a 6-2-0-1 record, the daughter of Munnings, maiden win came at Keeneland against open company. Accommodate Eva’s freshman earnings tally $126,230.

After the race Dallas Stewart, trainer of Lassie winner Accommodate Eva, said  “I love the filly. She trains great all the time. Murray Valene picked her out as a yearling. We think she’s got everything in front of her, we think she’ll be a two-turn horse, and she’s going to be very nice.”

 

 

 

 

Clearly A Test Scores on Opening Day at the Fair Grounds

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Clearly A Test became Clearly Now’s first listed stakes winner when she captured the Donovan L. Ferguson Memorial Stakes race on the opening day card at Fair Grounds on Friday. Clearly A Test hit the starting gate when they opened but quickly secured a mid pack position. Coming around the turn she swung to the outside and began to pick up horses down the long Fair Grounds stretch to win the five and one half furlong race by and length and a half. The Ferguson Memorial is a prep race for Louisiana Champions Day on December 9th. Clearly A Test is a true homebred for the Brittlyn Stable of Evelyn Benoit, being by the multiple Graded Stakes winner Clearly Now, who was raced in the latter part of his career for Brittlyn. Clearly A Test is out of the Brittlyn daughter of Louisiana’s all time leading racer in Star Guitar, Testing One Two. Testing One Two was a multiple stakes winner for Brittlyn, winning six stakes races. Trained by Shane Wilson, Clearly A Test had earned $63,900 in her career which began at Saratoga Race Course in upstate New York. The Ferguson was Clearly A Test’s maiden win also.

Clearly Now and all of the Clear Creek Stallions will be on display at our Annual Stallion Show on December 16th. Come join us for some food, fun and see some great stallions. Clear Creek Stud can be contacted at 985-796-5563 or visit our web site at www.clearcreekstud.com.

Fair Grounds Opening Day Stakes Win for Newest Louisiana Bred Millionaire, Free Like A Girl; First Stakes Win for Vale Male; and First Clearly Now Stakes Winner, Clearly A Test

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Free Like A Girl becomes the latest Louisiana Bred Millionaire with her win in the Doris Hebert Memorial Stakes. Hodges Photo

“Back in the Big Easy to Become a Millionaire,” Free Like a Girl Bags the Hebert

New Orleans, La (Nov. 17, 2023) – Opening day of the 152nd racing season at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots will forever be remembered as the day Free Like a Girl surpassed $1 million in career earnings. Overcoming a claustrophobic trip, the Louisiana Champion filly as both a 2-year-old and a 3-year-old spurted away from the field of 11 to win the $75,000 Doris Hebert Memorial by 3/4 length over a persistent Olivia G.  

Gerald Bruno, Jr., Chasey Pomier, and Jerry Caroom’s daughter of El Deal covered the 6 furlongs in 1:12.12 across a main track rated “good.” Even money was the reward for her backers in the win pool

Trained by Chasey Pomier, Free Like a Girl was piloted by Vicente Del Cid. Sticking her nose across the milestone threshold, the 4-year-old out the Flashy Bull mare Flashy Prize now boasts $1,006,578 in lifetime earnings and a career record of 31: 14-8-4. Free Like a Girl was bred by Kim Renee Stover & Lisa Osborne.

 

Vale Male is victorious in the John Valene Memorial Stakes. Hodges photo

Wire to Wire Was the Way for Vale Male in the Valene Memorial

Though never having led the pack at any opening call in her first 13 races, D & S Stables’ Vale Male did just that and more to win the $75,000 John Valene Memorial wire-to-wire on Friday. Breaking sharply outside of seven older fillies and mares, the daughter of Bodemeister out of the Kantharos dam Wildwood Kantharos dropped down to occupy the vacancy and never looked back through the 1 mile 70 yards. Beating A G’s Charlotte by 3/4 lengths,  the 4-year-old stopped the clock at 1:45.20 to pay 9.50 – 1.

Trained by James “Sweets” Hodges, Vale Male received the heads-up services of jockey James Graham, who with this victory sits nine back from career win 3,000.  Bred by J. Adcock & Hume Wornall, Vale Male now tallies a career record of 14: 5-3-2 adding up to $172,440 in lifetime earnings.

 

Jockey J.A. Guerrero pilots Clearly A Test to victory in the 2nd running of the Donovan L. Ferguson Memorial Stakes at Fair Grounds. Hodges Photography / Lou Hodges, Jr.

Home From Saratoga, Louisiana’s Own Clearly a Test Breaks Maiden in the Ferguson Stakes

Louisiana-bred through and through, Brittlyn Stables’ homebred Clearly a Test returned home from her summer racing at Saratoga to break her maiden in the $75,000 Donovan L. Ferguson Memorial. Drawn inside against a field of 14 juvenile fillies, the daughter of Clearly Now hit the gate and had to fight her way from near the back in the 5 1/2-furlong dirt sprint under jockey Jose Guerrero. Advancing along the rail, it wasn’t until the far turn that she boldly maneuvered to the outside, but once she did her talented kick moved her to the front of the 2021 class. Sealing the deal in 1:06.95, Clearly a Test beat out Tommie G by 1 1/2 lengths, paying 1.60 as the post-time favorite.

Trained by Shane Wilson, the daughter of Clearly Now out of the Star Guitar dam Testing One Two is now 4:1-0-0 with $63,900 in earnings. 

Follow this link for the full results and payouts of the three opening day stakes: https://www.equibase.com/static/chart/summary/RaceCardIndexFG111723USA-EQB.html