Louisiana Breds Prove Value in Open Stakes Across the Country

Louisiana breds have proved time and again that they can compete with top runners all across the country. Over the weekend, Louisiana bred runners performed exceptionally well in open stakes in Iowa, Delaware and Kentucky.

On Friday, July 8th, Janet is Ready, a two-year-old Louisiana bred filly by Custom For Carlos out of Just Call Me Janet won the $100,000 Prairie Gold Lassie Stakes at Prairie Meadows. The Chasey Deville Pomier trainee took the lead soon after the start, led up the backstretch and held on to the lead despite a late challenge to win by a head in her 3rd start.

Then Saturday at Prairie Meadows, Free Like a Girl, also a Chasey Deville Pomier trainee, set the pace in the mile and one sixteenth $225,000 Iowa Oaks (G3). The three-year-old filly dueled with eventual second place runner Falconet around the turn, but failed to move for the lead and held on for third earning graded stakes sire status for El Deal, who leads the list of Louisiana Second Crop sires. Free Like a Girl, who is out of Flashy Prize, was voted 2021 Louisiana Bred two-year-old champion filly. She has started 3 times in 2022, winning two Louisiana bred stakes races, before placing in the G3 Iowa Oaks. Her record to date is 14-7-3-3 with $423,873 in earnings.

Also Saturday, 2021 Louisiana Bred three-year-old champion filly and 2021 Louisiana Horse of the Year, Cilla (California Chrome-Sittin At The Bar), placed second by half a length in the $100,000 Dashing Beauty Stakes at Delaware Park. A graded stakes winner at 3, Cilla has now accumulated $504,000 in 17 starts with 7 wins, 2 second and 3 thirds.

Then at Ellis Park, Louisiana Bred, Mystique Saboteur ran third among open company in the Pea Patch Overnight Stakes. The filly by Gun Runner out of Jemima’s Pearl, earlier this placed 2nd in the Goldfinsh Stakes at Prairie Meadows.

LTBA Names Cilla 2021 Louisiana Horse of the Year

2021 Louisiana Horse of the Year
Cilla

California Chrome-Sittin At the Bar, by Into Mischief
Breeders: Brett A. Brinkman & P. Dale Ladner
Owner: P. Dale Ladner
Trainer: Brett A. Brinkman

 

Cilla winning the 2021 Louisiana Legends Mademoiselle S. Coady Photo.

 

Saturday evening, June 11, 2022, Roger Heitzmann, LTBA Secretary/Treasurer,  announced the Louisiana 2021 Horse of the Year, Cilla, who was selected from among the Louisiana divisional champions by the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association Board of Directors. 

Cilla, is proof positive that Louisiana-breds can compete among top company anywhere. 

After winning the 2021 Louisiana Legends Mademoiselle at Evangeline Downs in June, Cilla took her show on the road to Monmouth Park where she annexed the Blue Sparkler Stakes getting the five and a half furlongs in 1:03.07 to win by 2 1/2 lengths. Next,  Cilla won the G2 Prioress S. at Saratoga, running the six furlongs in 1:10.05, defeating Kentucky bred G3 Stakes Winner Souper Sensational. For the year the filly won four of eight starts and earned $310,600.

Cilla was both the first North American, winner and first black type winner for her sire two time Horse of the Year, California Chrome.

Brett Brinkman trains Cilla for owner P. Dale Ladner. The same connections both bred her and raced her dam, Sittin at the Bar. Sittin at the Bar won 11 of 19 starts including nine Louisiana-bred stakes during her career earning $705,896. and has produced nothing but runners.

Cilla, whose name in Welsh means “venerable”is certainly fulfilling her namesake. In 2022, she has added stakes wins in the Orleans S. and LA Bred Premier Matron,  both run at Delta Downs. Cilla’s lifetime earnings sit at $484,000 with more to come.

Clear Skies; Louisiana Premier Stakes

The 19th running of Louisiana Premier Day at Delta Downs on Feb. 5 couldn’t have been scripted out any better. With clear skies and a cool breeze, the 11-race program featured 10 stakes races and more than $900,000 in total purse money for Louisiana-bred horses who were vying for hoof-pounding greatness. Not only was the weather picture perfect, but the betting handle soared to $3,075,587, which was nearly $800,000 more than last year’s soirée.

 

Clear Skies; Louisiana Premier Stakes

LANGS DAY STORMS HOME IN FRONT TO WIN THE $150,000 LOUISIANA PREMIER DAY CHAMPIONSHIP AT DELTA DOWNS

– FREE LIKE A GIRL NOTCHES THIRD STAKES WIN OF THE SEASON IN THE STARLET –

Langs Day wins the 19th Running of the LA Bred Premier Championship Stakes. Coady Photography

 

VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs hosted its richest program of the season on Saturday afternoon as the 19th edition of Louisiana Premier Day took center stage. The 11-race program featured 10 stakes races and more than $900,000 in total purse money for Louisiana-bred horses.

 

The featured race of the day was the $150,000 Louisiana Premier Day Championship, which featured a full field of 10 competing at 1-1/16 miles. The race appeared to be wide open without Underpressure, as the winner of the last two editions of the event was not entered this time around. The morning line favorite and race-time chalk Langs Day did not disappoint, as the Lee Thomas trainee went from last-to-first while scoring his second stakes win of the meet.

 

“He’s a simple horse but a hard horse to ride,” said jockey Ty Kennedy. “You have to let him find himself but once he hits the three-eighths pole he does the rest and I just let the big guy roll. He always runs well at Delta Downs.”

 

Langs Day is known for his strong late kick, and on Saturday he used it well. After dropping back to last in the initial strides he began to pick up momentum racing into the second and final turn while pacesetters Magawildtime and Beauregard carved out fractional times of 23.85 seconds for the opening quarter mile and 48.37 for the half. When the field hit three-quarters of a mile in 1:14.54 it was Speaktomeoflove who had forged a narrow lead.

 

In the homestretch Speaktomeoflove looked to be in for a big payday but Langs Day had other ideas. The pair hooked up at the sixteenth pole and it was a war of wills before Langs Day got the upper hand late to record a half-length win over his tenacious rival. Jimi’s a Star finished well to be third, another 1-1/2 lengths behind the top pair.

 

Langs Day now has six wins from 17 career starts for owner Keith Plaisance. The winner’s prize of $90,000 on Saturday raised Langs Day’s bankroll to $277,040.

 

Bred in Louisiana by J. Adcock & Adcock’s Red River Farm, LLC, Langs Day is a 5-year-old chestnut gelding by New Year’s Day, out of the Langfuhr mare Langsyne.

 

Sent off at odds of 8-5, Langs Day paid $5.40 to win, $3.20 to place and $2.40 to show. Speaktomeoflove returned $4.80 to place and $3.60 to show. Jimi’s a Star was worth $4.60 to show.

 

Net a Bear scored her second stakes win of the season in the $125,000 Distaff on Louisiana Premier Day. The win came in dramatic fashion as jockey Tim Thornton had to angle out from the rail in the upper-stretch and rundown leaders Snowball and Fort Polk to get up just before the wire. The Allen Landry trainee also took the Magnolia Stakes at Delta Downs on October 29.

 

Net a Bear is now 10-for-30 during her career and has earned $523,870 after taking home $75,000 on Saturday afternoon for owners Maximo Lamarche and Federico Deltoro.

 

Trainer Allen Landry did himself one better in the $100,000 Prince as he saddled the first and second-place finishers, Vodka Gimlet and Brian’s Iron Mike. The pair were far in front of the rest of the field at the wire with Vodka Gimlet winning the first stakes race of his career with jockey Thomas Pompell in the saddle. Vodka Gimlet is owned by Ellen Epstein.

 

The win by Vodka Gimlet put another $60,000 into his bankroll which now stands at $102,645. He is a 3-year-old gelding by Goldencents out of the Out of Place mare Shy Baby.

 

The $100,000 Starlet featured Free Like a Girl, who already had two stakes wins under her belt this season. The Chasey Deville Pomier trainee won the Louisiana Jewel in October before taking the My Trusty Cat just one month later. She most recently won a stakes race at Fair Grounds

before her appearance in the Starlet on Saturday where she took the lead early and never looked back under jockey Pedro Cotto, Jr.

 

Free Like a Girl notched her sixth win from just 11 career starts in the Starlet and raised her career bankroll to $341,473. The bay filly by El Deal is owned by Gerald Bruno, Jr., Carl J. Deville, Chasey Deville Pomier and Jerry Caroom. She was bred by former jockey Kim Stover and her sister Lisa Osborne.

 

Bertie’s Galaxy turned in a sharp performance to win this year’s $100,000 sprint under jockey Jareth Loveberry. The Ron Faucheux trainee broke sharp and lead every step of the way in the five-furlong dash for older horses. Bertie’s Galaxy has now won 10-of-23 career starts and earned another $60,000 on Saturday to raise his overall bankroll to $382,850. The son of Greeley’s Galaxy is owned by Allen Cassedy.

 

The $100,000 Matron featured graded stakes winner Cilla, who dazzled the fans with a romping victory in the five-furlong test for older fillies and mares. Cilla is owned by P. Dale Ladner and trained by Brett Brinkman. The daughter of California Chrome was ridden to victory by jockey Thomas Pompell. Cilla has now won seven of 14 starts and owns a bankroll of $476,000.

 

The $60,000 Gentlemen Starter was taken by Greeley’s Dealer. The Dale White, Sr. owned and trained 9-year-old gelding saved his best for last, coming up the rail to snare the win under jockey Jose Guerrero. Greeley’s Dealer has now won 15-of-55 starts during his career.

 

Longshot Girl Thirsty was victorious as a huge longshot in the $50,000 Ladies Starter. Overlooked at odds of 30-1, the Ronnie Ward trainee ran down race favorite Heart That Binds in the stretch to get the win under jockey Alexander Castillo. Girl Thirsty is owned by Claudio Solis.

 

This year’s $50,000 Bon Temps Starter was won by Sandy Badeaux’s Madison’s Place with jockey Joel Dominguez in the saddle. The Eduardo Ramirez trainee overhauled race favorite Wild Mallory in the stretch to record the ninth win of her 32-race career.

 

And finally, it was the Keith Charles owned and trained gelding Alterana who took the $50,000 Ragin Cajun Starter under jockey Gerard Melancon. Alterana has now won nine of 31 career starts and the score on Saturday afternoon extended his current winning streak to four races.

 

Delta Downs will conduct live racing for the next four weeks on a Wednesday through Saturday schedule until the meet comes to a close on March 5. First post time each day is at 12:55 pm.

 

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

 

Delta Downs Racetrack Casino and Hotel, a property of Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE:BYD), features exciting casino action, live horse racing and fun dining experiences. Delta Downs is located in Vinton, Louisiana, on Delta Downs Drive. From Lake Charles, take Exit 7 and from Texas, take Exit 4.

CILLA DAZZLES WHILE CAPTURING THE $75,000 ORLEANS STAKES AT DELTA DOWNS

GRADED STAKES WINNER NOTCHES ANOTHER BIG WIN FOR OWNER P. DALE LADNER

 

Cilla wins the Orleans Stakes at Delta Downs. Coady Photography.

 

VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs hosted the $75,000 Orleans Stakes on Friday afternoon and the winner was a very popular choice of the fans as P. Dale Ladner’s 3-5 wagering favorite, Cilla, came home in front under jockey Thomas Pompell. The daughter of California Chrome got back to the winner’s circle for the first time since winning the Grade 2 Prioress Stakes at Saratoga Race Course back in September.

 

Breaking from post eight in a field of nine, Cilla stalked the early pace set by Icy Charlie, who carved out fractional times of 22.54 seconds for the opening quarter mile and 46.01 for the half. As they turned for home Cilla engaged Icy Charlie who didn’t give way easily in the stretch. The pair battled it out for a few strides before Cilla gained the upper-hand and went on to a 2-3/4 length victory over a game Icy Charlie while Onerollofthedice settled for third, another half length behind the runner-up.

 

Cilla covered the five-furlong distance of the Orleans in a rapid time of 58.40 seconds. Each race on the Friday program was contest of a fast track and under sunny skies.

 

The win by Cilla marked the sixth of her 13-race career. She earned $45,000 for the effort and now has a career bankroll of $416,000.

 

Bred in Louisiana by Ladner and her trainer Brett Brinkman, Cilla is a 4-year-old bay daughter of California Chrome, out of the Into Mischief mare Sittin At the Bar.

 

Fans who wagered on Cilla collected payoffs of $3.20 to win, $2.40 to place and $2.20 to show. Icy Charlie was worth $4.80 to place and $3.40 to show. Onerollofthedice returned $7 to show.

 

Delta Downs will close out its race week on Saturday afternoon with another nine-race program that kicks off at 12:55 pm. The headliner will be the $75,000 Sam’s Town Stakes for older horses sprinting five 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. From Lake Charles, take Exit 7 and from Texas, take Exit 4.

Brinkman’s Cilla Raises the Bar for Louisiana-Breds

MarketWatch: Brett Brinkman

 

Cilla thrust Louisana-breds into the spotlight with her gritty upset victory in the Sept. 4 Prioress Stakes (G2) at Saratoga Race Course. The daughter of California Chrome  hails from Brett Brinkman’s farm in Cajun country, Louisiana, where Brinkman bred, raised, and broke the filly that would provide him with one of the biggest thrills of his career.

Brinkman, the co-owner, co-breeder, and trainer of Cilla who operates Le Mesa Stallions in Carencro, La., spoke with BloodHorse MarketWatch about his early beginnings in the industry, acquiring Cilla’s dam, the successful race mare Sittin At the Bar, and why he believes the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association program offers breeders significant value on the racetrack.

 

Read BloodHorse Article

Cilla Upsets Prioress

The Louisiana-bred daughter of California Chrome ran six furlongs in 1:10.05.

 

Even at the graded stakes level, select Louisiana-breds are showing they can take their show on the road to New York.

Last year, No Parole  went to Belmont Park and came away with a victory in the Woody Stephens Stakes Presented by Claiborne Farm (G1). Then Sept. 4 at Saratoga Race Course, another Louisiana-bred triumphed when Cilla  turned away favored Souper Sensational  by a half-length to capture the $242,500 Prioress Stakes (G2).

 

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