JOCKEY TIM THORNTON GUIDES GROUND SAVING TRIP WITH ALLEN LANDRY CHARGE
OPELOUSAS, LA –A July 4th weekend crowd was treated to an exciting finish in the $60,000 Opelousas Stakes Friday night, as Net a Bear picked up the victory under jockey Tim Thornton. The Allen Landry runner turned the tables on a couple of rivals in the turf stakes for older fillies and mares.
Champagne Affair took the early initiative after breaking sharply from her inside post position, tracked intently by Raging Gold Digger and a three-wide Snowball. The compact field of five traveled in close attendance with Net a Bear and Offspring just behind the trio through moderate fractions of an opening half-mile split of 49.08 seconds. The field remained closely bunched as they moved to the top of the lane, with six furlongs traveled in 1:13.42, as Champagne Affair held onto a slim lead, while Raging Gold Digger and Snowball both began to tire.
Net a Bear waited patiently under a ground-saving trip, while Offspring was moved to the middle of the track for her run. Finding a seam between Champagne Affair and the rail, Net a Bear accelerated quickly to burst through and charge to victory, pulling away late to win by 1-3/4 lengths. Offspring was able to nab Champagne Affair late for the runner-up position, by a ½-length. Net a Bear, who runs for the partnership of Maximo Lamarche and Federico Deltoro, finished in a time of 1:37.51 completed over a firm course, at the distance of about one-mile.
The winner’s share of $36,000 increased the lifetime bankroll of Net a Bear to $322,070. The victory is the sixth win of her 25-race career.
The 5-year-old mare was bred in Louisiana by Lora Pitre and Elaine Carroll. The bay mare is by Awesome Bet, out of the Eddington mare Edacious Reality.
Sent off as the second wagering choice at 8-5, Net a Bear returned $5.20 to win, $2.80 to place and $2.10 to show. Offspring, favored at 6-5, paid $2.80 to place and $2.10 to show. Champagne Affair returned $4.20 to show.
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