Dontmesswithjoanne with jockey Joe Bravo aboard captures the 42nd running of the Red Camelia Stakes at Fair Grounds. Hodges Photography / Amanda Hodges Weir
Red Camelia Stakes Fair Grounds, 3-17-18, @ 1 mile, turf, $60,000
Accredited Louisiana Breds, 4-Year-Olds and Upwards, Fillies and Mares
DONTMESSWITHJOANNE
Pioneerof the Nile–Cinnamon Kisses
Breeder: Gulf Haven Farms, LLC
Owner: Zayat Stables, LLC
Trainer: Brad H. Cox
Jockey: Joe Bravo
2nd Mr. Al’s Gal
Salute the Sarge–Spanish Ice
Breeder: J. Adcock & Neal McFadden
Owner: Brittlyn Stable, Inc.
Trainer: Justin Jeansonne
Jockey: Diego Saenz
3rd Pera
Drosselmeyer–Changing Seasons
Breeder: James McIngvale
Owner: HP Thoroughbreds LLC (Brandon Hillman)
Trainer: Ricky Courville
Jockey: Ashley Broussard
By Ryan Martin
Zayat Stables LLC’s Dontmesswithjoanne ($12.60, $5.80, $4.20) laid well off the pace to score and made a big move down the top of the stretch to defeat ten other Louisiana-bred fillies and mares in the 42nd running of the Red Camelia Stakes over the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots’ Stall-Wilson Turf Course on Saturday afternoon.
Trained by Brad Cox, the 4-year-old daughter of Pioneerof the Nile was saving ground around the first turn and was unhurried throughout the early stages of the race. Meanwhile, Florida invader Viva Vegas set a slow pace early on and produced opening fractions of 24.05, 48.77, and 1:15.01. Mr. Al’s Gal tracked not too far behind in second. At the top of the stretch, Viva Vegas’ lead began to dwindle but she still appeared to have something left. However, Mr. Al’s Gal began to purse Viva Vegas to her inside and briefly took the lead, but was unable to hold off a charge from Dontmesswithjoanne who won going away with Joe Bravo in the irons. Mr. Al’s Gal ($6.60, $6.80) was second and 71-1 longshot Pera finished third ($19.60). Dontmesswithjoanne finished in a time of 1:40.48.
“You had those times and with the soft turf I think they got a hold of it,” Bravo said. “With a filly like this you just have to make sure that she was happy. She picked herself and went with it. When you ride the best horse, it’s easy. That’s the bottom line.”
The Red Camelia Stakes was a first stakes victory for Dontmesswithjoanne, which pushed her career earnings to $158,695. She earned $36,000 from Saturday’s win. In 11 career starts, she has won four races with three seconds and one third.
Rounding out the order of finish were Pacific Pink, Viva Vegas, Inveniam Viam, Safari Calamari, P Boo, Temple Shadow, Tap City Baby and Beleiveinsomething.
Corey Lanerie aboard Trust Factor captures the 38th running of the Dixie Poker Ace Stakes at Fair Grounds. Hodges Photography / Kristina Taylor
Dixie Poker Ace Stakes
Fair Grounds, 3-3-18, 1 mile, turf, $60,000
4-Year-Olds and Upwards, Accredited Louisiana Breds
TRUST FACTOR
Paddy O’Prado–Mainsail
Breeder: J. Adcock & Hume Wornall
Owner: Scrivener Stables
Trainer: Michael J. Maker
Jockey: Corey J. Lanerie
2nd Extra Credit
Proud Citizen–Sunny Isles
Breeder: Richard Klein & Bertram Klein
Owner: Klein Racing
Trainer: Brad H. Cox
Jockey: Shaun Bridgmohan
3rd Morning Mischief
Into Mischief–Morning Ridge
Breeder: David Meche & Perry Judice
Owner: Al Ulwelling, Bill Ulwelling, and Joe Johnson
Trainer: Gary M. Scherer
Jockey: Florent Geroux
Scrivener Stables’ Trust Factor ($6.00, $3.20, $2.40) held off a late charge from Extra Credit in the $60,000 Dixie Poker Ace Stakes, a one mile event on the Stall-Wilson Turf Course restricted to Louisiana-breds.
The son of Paddy O’Prado sat just a length off of a slow pace set by Morning Mischief who was making his turf debut and set opening fractions of 24.57, 49.40 and 1:14.09 while Zarb’s Gift kept close company and sat a half-length off of the pacesetter. At the top of the stretch, Morning Mischief gave way to Zarb’s Gift who took the lead before being passed up by Trust Factor. The eventual winner was confronted by the favorite Extra Credit in the final furlong of the event but had just enough to hang on by a nose and stopped the clock in a time of 1:37.93 with jockey Corey Lanerie in the irons. Front runner Morning Mischief ($5.20) completed the trifecta.
Trained by Mike Maker, Trust Factor scored his seventh victory in 15 career starts and earned $36,000 from a win in the Dixie Poker Ace, which increased his bankroll to $284,000. It was the second stakes victory for Trust Factor, who won the Louisiana Legends Turf Stakes at Louisiana Downs last July.
Rounding out the field were Gentlemen’s Agreement,Grande Basin,Mageez, Berniestrike and last year’s Dixie Poker Ace winner Let Us Be Glad.
Fair Grounds released the following statement late Thursday regarding a recent ban on entries from horses shipping from Maryland:
Following negative tests for equine herpes virus-1 involving a horse based at Laurel Park, Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots have announced that, as of Thursday, January 25, all horses based in the state of Maryland are all clear to enter the backside. Meanwhile, those that are based in New York are still disallowed to enter the premises until further notice.
With the difficulties presented to us by road closures and delays in travel, the LTBA will follow the lead of Louisiana Government offices and the Fair Grounds and remain closed today, Thursday, January 18, with the hope of re-opening tomorrow, Friday, January 19.
With harsh winter weather and freezing temperatures hitting the New Orleans area, Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots racing officials have officially called off Thursday afternoon’s nine-race program.
Temperatures in New Orleans went all the way down to the low 20’s on Wednesday morning which caused the track to freeze. According to the National Weather Service, said temperatures will likely carryover into Thursday with the low reaching 32 degrees.
Fair Grounds Senior Director of Racing Jason Boulet cited a number of reasons for cancelling Thursday’s card including track conditions, road closures, as well as numerous trainers already calling the racing office to pre-scratch horses entered for Thursday.
“With the freezing temperatures effecting both dirt and turf, the possibility of off turf would be pretty much certain,” Boulet said. “That being said, we would face huge numbers of scratches due to off turf, no shippers and some trainers not being comfortable of racing on a dirt surface that could still be impacted by freezing temperatures. The scratch situation will lead to us running two, three or four horse fields and is that really worth it at the end of the day? Medication issues with horsemen also play a factor. Horses start getting treated day before and morning of race so this is an expense that really frustrates the horsemen if we would wait and decide to cancel morning of races. Last but not least, we are at the jockey’s mercy if we decide to run and if they feel track is not safe or weather conditions are too harsh.
“Our ultimate goal is to get through these conditions through (Thursday) and focus on getting back on track for Friday training and night racing,” Boulet added. “(Track Superintendent) Pedro (Zavala) feels that by (Thursday) afternoon we can get back on schedule to get the track worked and thawed out in preparation for Friday.”
Live racing action at the Fair Grounds resumes with Starlight Racing on Friday, January 18 at 5 p.m. central time.
Israel Flores Horses’ Pound for Pound, who finished a neck in front his competition in the colt and gelding division of the Louisiana Futurity for 2-year-old Accredited Louisiana-breds, was the first black-type winner for his sire Redding Colliery. Pound For Pound made an eight-day return to the races to hold off 4-5 favorite Givemeaminit down the Fair Grounds stretch and light up the tote board at odds of 21-1. Pound For Pound’s last start was just last Saturday, Dec. 23 where he defeated seven other Louisiana-breds in a 7½-furlong allowance event at his Delta Downs home base. In October, he broke his maiden first time out at 48-1 odds.
Redding Colliery, a Grade 2 stakes winning son of Mineshaft stands at Red River Farms in Louisiana for a 2018 fee of $2,000.
Brittlyn Stable’s Iona Star breezes to the finish with Diego Saenz aboard in the Louisiana Futurity – Filly Division at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans. Hodges Photography / Lou Hodges, Jr
IONA STAR
Star Guitar–Miss Peenyata, by Mr. Greeley
Breeder: Brittlyn Stables, Inc.
Owner: Brittlyn Stable, Inc.
Trainer: Justin Jeansonne
Jockey: Diego Saenz
2nd Feisty Embrace
Brethren–Appalachianna, by Langfuhr
Breeder: Matalona Thoroughbreds, LLC
Owner: Matalona Thoroughbreds, LLC
Trainer: Albert M. Stall, Jr.
Jockey: Shaun Bridgmohan
3rd Cool Spring
Concord Point–Thistle Bear, by Gators N Bears
Breeder: Tigertail Ranch
Owner: Tigertail Ranch
Trainer: Danny Pish
Jockey: Jose Valdivia, Jr.
Several Delta Downs-based horses shipped 231 miles east to New Orleans and two of them took home both divisions of the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots’ Louisiana Futurity on Sunday, Dec. 31.
In the fillies division, which carried a purse of $96,430, Brittlyn Stable Inc.’s Iona Star broke straight to the lead coming out of the gate, never looked back and won in wire-to-wire fashion.
Guided by jockey Diego Saenz, the two-year-old daughter of Star Guitar set opening fractions of 22.78, 46.63, and 58.95 before opening up on the field at the top of the stretch to win the Louisiana Futurity by four lengths. Feisty Embrace and Cool Spring were second and throughout the six-furlong journey and took the place and show spot, respectively. Overwhelming 1-5 favorite Champagne Diva was bumped at the start and did not fire finishing a disappointing fourth.
“She had a good trip,” Saenz said. “She was in front the whole time and that’s what we wanted. She likes the long stretch. She finished well.”
Iona Star entered her victory in the Louisiana Futurity off of a maiden win at Delta Downs on Nov. 21, which she also took in wire-to-wire fashion. She is trained by Justin Jeansonne.
“She broke real sharp,” Jeansonne said. “Her biggest thing is to get out of the gates, make the lead and keep her mind focused. Diego knows her and he’s been getting on her since her first work so he knows her pretty well.”
Iona Star gave back $14.20, $4.60 and $10.40 while Feisty Embrace returned $4.20 and $8. Cool Spring, who went off at 27-1, returned $25.40 to show.
She earned $57,138 from her triumph in the Louisiana Futurity fillies’ division and increased lifetime earnings to $79,578. She won her last two in four lifetime starts.
Rounding out the field are Champagne Diva, Girls Life and Bionic Butterfly.
Minit To Stardom, the 6-5 morning-line favorite, was scratched.
Pound for Pound, with Miguel Mena aboard, beat Givemeaminit in a close race for the Louisiana Futurity – Colt and Gelding Division at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans. Hodges Photography / Lou Hodges, Jr
POUND FOR POUND
Redding Colliery–Buttercup’s Song, by Unbridled’s Song
Breeder: J. Adcock & B&B Bloodstock
Owner: Israel Flores Horses LLC
Trainer: Jose Grimaldo
Jockey: Miguel Mena
2nd Givemeaminit
Star Guitar–Powerful Nation, by Turkoman
Breeder: Clear Creek Stud LLC
Owner: Valene Farms LLC
Trainer: Dallas Stewart
Jockey: Shaun Bridgmohan
3rd Greeley Went West
El Corredor–So Well Read, by Read the Footnotes
Breeder: Tom Curtis & Wayne Simpson
Owner: Phyllis J. Hodges and Randy Schiender
Trainer: James E. Hodges
Jockey: James Graham
Four races later, Israel Flores Horses LLC’s Pound For Pound made an eight-day return to the races to hold off 4-5 favorite Givemeaminit down the Fair Grounds stretch and light up the tote board at odds of 21-1 in the colts and gelding division of the $104,930 Louisiana Futurity.
Trained by Jose Grimaldo and ridden to victory by Miguel Mena, the two-year-old son of Redding Colliery came from well off a swift pace led by Divine Bean, who threw down opening fractions of 21.84 and 45.15 before giving way in mid-stretch to Ready Prospector who led at the five-eighths mark in 58.06. Finally, Ready Prospector was passed up by Pound For Pound and Givemeaminit who battled their way to the wire but it was the former of the two who got the job done by a neck. Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile winner Greeley Went West finished third.
“Jose told me to ride him with a lot of confidence and I did,” Mena said. “We had a good trip and he was kind of green down the stretch but (Givemeaminit) came along the outside and was very game, too.”
Pound For Pound’s last start was just last Saturday, Dec. 23 where he defeated seven other Louisiana-breds in a 7½-furlong allowance event at his Delta Downs home base. In October, he broke his maiden first time out at 48-1 odds, which he followed with a third-place effort in the Louisiana Legacy Stakes behind Gladyousawme (seventh in the Louisiana Futurity), both of which were also at Delta Downs. He then shipped to the Fair Grounds for another crack at a state-bred stakes in the Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile, but could do no better than fifth behind Greeley Went West.
“The last couple of times he was kind of green but he’s getting better,” Grimaldo said. “I was happy with the way he ran and I think we have a future with this horse. I never expected this because these were such nice horses but I told the owner, ‘I think we have a chance to be in the money,’.”
Pound For Pound popped the cork on his backers’ New Year’s Eve rewarding them in payouts of $45.80, $10.60 and $6 while Givemeaminit returned $3 and $2.20. Greeley Went West returned $3.20 to show.
He earned a $60,798 share from his victory in the Louisiana Futurity which boosted his lifetime earnings to $123,798. He has won three of his five career starts.
Completing the field were Ready Prospector, Divine Bean, Da’ Big Newt, Gladyousawme, Vapor Viper and Monsieur Brown.
Following the recent passing of Hall of Fame trainer Jack Van Berg, several horsemen at the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots have shared stories of the conditioner and how he has influenced their training careers.
A native of Columbus, Nebraska, Van Berg is the all-time leading trainer at the Fair Grounds having won ten training titles at the New Orleans oval, which include six consecutive leading seasons from 1965-71. In addition, he also holds the record for most victories during a single season at the Fair Grounds when he won 92 races during the Winter Meet in 1973-74. In 1985, Van Berg was inducted into the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame and six years later in 1991, was inducted in Fair Grounds’ Hall of Fame.
Trainer Tom Amoss was a product of the Van Berg barn and began working for him in high school when he hot walked for Van Berg during Christmas break one year. Coincidentally, Van Berg was stabled in Barn 12 on the Fair Grounds backside, where Amoss is currently operates.
“I worked for him in high school right here in this very barn,” Amoss recalled. “It was my first job on the racetrack as a hot walker and it was about 1977 or 1978. Even then I had hopes of being a trainer one day and I always had a notebook with different things that I observed and wanted to stay with me for when I got to be a trainer. One thing that I learned from Van Berg that I still use today is his feed program. In today’s world, a lot of trainers give the horses premixed feed and that’s what they do. A vast majority of them do that, but we don’t. We have a recipe that we use that involves a lot of different products and I can’t tell you how often I get compliments about how great our horses look in the paddock. That is a direct tribute to the Van Berg feeding program.
“He instilled the importance of hard work and being at the barn,” Amoss added. “I don’t just mean in the mornings, but in the afternoons as well. It’s those things that always stuck with me. There are guys that can do it without being at the barn as much as I am, but for me it works if I am around as much as possible, and that’s the Van Berg way of doing things.”
Amoss continued to work for Van Berg during his college years and assisted the trainer’s Fair Grounds division which was supervised by trainer Frank Brothers, Van Berg’s assistant at the time.
“Van Berg was one of the first to have different operations spread throughout the country,” Amoss said. “You see that a lot with today’s trainers, but not back then. I went to work for Frank Brothers who was his assistant trainer and managed the Louisiana division of horses, so I didn’t get to see Jack that much and remarkably he remembered me. I don’t know how much of that is him trying to appease me when I say hello to him or if he actually does remember me but I’ll say this, he had a great memory. I’d like to think it was the latter.”
Van Berg also was responsible for getting trainer Wayne Catalano involved in the racing industry. Catalano often rode for Van Berg as a jockey prior to becoming a trainer.
“Jack Van Berg was a big part of my career and my life,” Catalano said. “Growing up, I was a young boy here in New Orleans and not doing so well in school. My uncle took me to the track and said, ‘You’re small enough if you want to be a jockey’. I didn’t know anything about the racetrack so he brought me and my brother to Jack Van Berg. I came here to the racetrack not knowing anything about the races or about the track or the backside or anything like that, but Jack really taught me a lot. I started working for Jack up in Chicago when I turned 16 and he taught me all about the horses and horsemanship.
“If it weren’t for Jack, I wouldn’t be in the position that I’m in right now in my life,” Catalano added. “He got me here. He’s very well missed and the horsemanship that he taught me brought me a long ways. He made you work hard and he was very strict but he was the kind of guy that would teach you and show you. He always helped everybody come along. He gave me a jump start in my riding career and later on when I was done riding and I started training he gave me another jump start there and even gave me a couple of his own horses. One year, he was short of an assistant at Keeneland go I just kind of filled in when I was galloping horses for him. It was toward the end of my (riding) career when I was trying to become a trainer so I was focusing on that.”
While trainer Al Stall, Jr. did not work directly for Van Berg, he was a friend of his and was stabled next to him during his final years at Churchill Downs.
“I knew him personally and I was stabled right next to him during his last couple of years over at Churchill,” Stall said. “Whenever he would be out watching his horses work on his scooter or when he was inside his truck on the backside, you would always see four or five people surrounding him. It was like he had his own little entourage.”
Stall shared a story of Van Berg taking him to airport following a race at Arlington Park.
“I remember he would take us to the airport sometimes when we had horses shipping,” Stall recalled. “One time leaving Arlington Park we were in a rush to catch a plane and I had never been so scared in my life, he was driving like a maniac. When we stopped at a toll booth the brakes were smoking, but we made our flight in time.”
In addition to his numerous accomplishments at the Fair Grounds, Van Berg was a nine-time leading trainer in North America by wins and the leading trainer by earnings in 1976. He won the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Trainer in 1984, the same year he trained Gate Dancer to a victory in the Preakness Stakes. His most well-known runner was 1987 Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Alysheba who went on to win the Breeders’ Cup Classic and was named Horse of the Year the following year. This year, Van Berg enjoyed his most successful season in 20 years this year with 42 victories and $1,223,503 in earnings. He will be missed by many horsemen at racetracks all across North America.
NEW ORLEANS, La. – Starlight Racing Night will take place on Friday, December 29 at Fair Grounds Racecourse & Slots in New Orleans, La. Fair Grounds Racecourse & Slots and the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association (LTBA) will award a total of four scholarships, each valued at $1,000, during the event. The races begin at 5:00 p.m., with sign up for the drawings starting at 4:00 p.m. The students must sign up between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. at the designated registration booth to be entered into the drawing. The registration times were extended to ensure as many students are signed up for the drawing as possible.
The drawings will take place after the sixth and seventh race, where two scholarships will be awarded after each race. To qualify for the drawing, the student must be enrolled full-time in the Spring 2018 semester, must be in good standing with the college or university, and must be present to win. The student is asked to know the address and name of the college so the scholarship can be directly deposited into their account.
“The Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association continues to make an investment in the future of our state by investing in our students and the education process,” said Roger Heitzmann, secretary/treasurer for the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association. “This type of investment is for our future, the state, as well as the organization. I hope that these scholarships get the younger generations invested in LTBA, so that our organization stays the top breeding incentive program in the United States.”
Starlight Racing Night Schedule
5:00pm First Post
Groovy 7 in the Clubhouse & Adam Pearce (The Voice® contestant) in the Starlight Tent
The Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association manages one of the best incentive programs for breeding thoroughbreds in the United States. Since the organization formed, this led to increased purses, better quality horses, and increased interest in racing and breeding horses. Louisiana horse racing facilities and races generated over $1 billion in gaming in the United States. When both direct and indirect impacts are included, the Louisiana’s horse racing industry generated $1.047 billion in total output. Louisiana horse racing created a total of 12,640 Louisiana jobs.
Louisiana Champions Day Classic
Fair Grounds, 12-9-17, 1 1/8 Miles
Three-Year-Olds and Upwards, Accredited Louisiana Breds
Purse: $150,000
Mobile Bay (orange silks) gets a head in front of Grande Basin to score back to back victories in the Louisiana Champions Day Classic at Fair Grounds. Hodges Photography / Lou Hodges, Jr.
MOBILE BAY
Lone Star Special-Tranquility Bay
Breeder: Tigertail Ranch
Owner: Tigertail Ranch
Trainer: Victor Arceneaux
Jockey: Diego Saenz
2nd Grand Basin
Good and Tough–Silver Rail, by Dispersal
Breeder: Coteau Grove Farms
Owner: William J. Deckwa, Jr., and John Carbo
Trainer: Edward J. Johnston
Jockey: Miguel Mena
3rd Underpressure
Birdstone–Charming Colleen, by Charismatic
Breeder: James McIngvale
Owner: Mallory Greiner
Trainer: Chris Richard
Jockey Corey J. Lanerie
A 10-month layoff appeared to be no issue for Tigertail Ranch’s Louisiana millionaire Mobile Bay as he successfully defended his title in an epic renewal of the $150,000 Louisiana Champions Day Classic when the gutsy iron horse with nine stakes victories outnodded challenger Grande Basin.
Piloted by Diego Saenz and trained by Victor Arceneaux, the 5-year-old son of Lone Star Special broke right on top and separated himself from the remainder of the field throwing down fractions of 24.51, 48.58 and 1:14.24. As the field approached the far turn, Mobile Bay’s leading margins began to slim down as Grande Basin and Underpressure started to inch their way closer to the leader. At the top of the stretch, Saenz called on Mobile Bay for everything he had while jockey Miguel Mena did the same aboard Grande Basin to his inside. Underpressure kept close company but could not quite get involved with the two fighters up front. While it looked like Grande Basin may have gotten the better of his rival, the defending champion would not be denied. Both horses laid their noses right on the wire together resulting in a photo finish that would go to Mobile Bay, who finished the nine furlong trip in a time of 1:51.95.
“I was on the lead and he didn’t want to come back to me,” Saenz said. “I was afraid I was going to get beat because he was a little fresh off the layoff. That was close.”
Mena had no excuses aboard Grande Basin.
“Beautiful trip,” Mena said. “I rode him the way I think he likes, but it was just a very tough beat. We lost to one of the best Louisiana-breds out there.”
Mobile Bay brought his lifetime earnings all the way up to $1,096,440 after his second straight Louisiana Champions Day Classic win. Other stakes victories of his include a win in the Grade II Super Derby in 2015 as well as triumphs against open company in the Zia Park Derby and Sunland Park Handicaps at their namesake courses. He returned $3.20, $2.60 and $2.10 while Grande Basin and Underpressure returned $5.40, $3 and $2.20, respectively.
Mobile Bay joins Blissful Union (1991-92), Magnify (1997-98), Costa Rising (2006-07), Star Guitar (2009-11) and Sunbean (2013-14) as the only horses to score multiple victories in the Louisiana Champions Day Classic.
Mageez and One King’s Man completed the running order.
Louisiana Champions Day Sprint
Fair Grounds, 12-9-17, 6 furlongs
Three-Year-Olds and Upwards, Accredited Louisiana Breds
Purse: $100,000
Hay Hollow Stables’s Stand Him Up captures the Louisiana Champions day Sprint at Fair Grounds. Hodges Photography / Amanda Hodges Weir
STAND HIM UP
Time Bandit–Taffy Davenport, by Miswaki
Breeder: Hay Hollow Racing Stable LLC
Owner: Hay Hollow Racing Stable LLC
Trainer: Howard Alonzo
Jockey: Gabriel Saez
2nd Just Kissing Back
Limehouse–Just Kissing, by Kissin Kris
Breeder: Forrest Lanning, Kelly Turner & Tresa Snow
Owner: Kim C. White
Trainer: Dale White, Sr.
Jockey: Diego Saenz
3rd Hunker Down
Musket Man–My Friend Bele, by My Friend Max
Breeder: Jo Ann Thompson
Owner: Double Dam Farm LLC
Trainer: Delmar R. Caldwell
Jockey: Corey J. Lanerie
Hay Hollow Racing Stables’ Stand Him Up ($5.20, $3.60, $3.40) pulled off a hat trick when winning the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Sprint by 1¼ lengths in a final time of 1:11.03. Ridden by Gabriel Saez and trained by Howard Alonzo, the son of Time Bandit came into the race off of a victory against allowance company at Evangeline Downs in August and a win on Opening Day in the Heitai Stakes.
Breaking from the gate, Stand Him Up sat just a half-length off the pace controlled by Jockamo’s Song who set fractions of 22.76, 46.73. Approaching the top of the stretch, Stand Him Up took command, headed and passed the leader and held off 24-1 longshot Just Kissing Buck ($17 and $10.80) while Hunker Down ($11.40) took the show spot, another three-quarters of a length back.
“He’s an awesome horse,” Saez said. “Every time I get on him he gives me 100%, and I was glad that a couple horses went to the front end. When it was time to come around and make our move, he finished up running.”
Stand Him Up collected $60,000 from his Sprint victory, which brought his career earnings up to $208,460 in his seventh career win in 14 lifetime starts.
Jockamo’s Song, Nubin Ridge, My Friend Flavin, Double Barrel Man, Philly and Outofthisgalaxycompleted the order of finish.
Louisiana Champions Day Ladies Sprint
Fair Grounds, 12-9-17, 6 furlongs
Three-Year-Olds and Upwards, Fillies and Mares, Accredited Louisiana Breds
Purse: $100,000
My Miss Chiff with Mitchell Murrill aboard wins the LA Champions Day Ladies Sprint at Fair Grounds. Hodges Photography / Lou Hodges, Jr.
MY MISS CHIFF
Into Mischief–Carl’s Frosty Girl, by Pulling Punches
Breeder: Steve E. Holliday
Owner: Town and Country Racing, LLC
Trainer: Albert M. Stall, Jr.
Jockey: Mitchell Murrill
2nd Look Into My Eyes
City Zip–Burnished Miss, by Wild Again
Breeder: Robert McDowell & Bethe Deal
Owner: Kathleen Amaya and Raffaele Centofanti
Trainer: Efren Loza, Jr.
Jockey: Robby Albarado
3rd Wheatfield
Lone Star Special–Thistle Bear, by Gators N Bears
Breeder: Tigertail Ranch
Owner: Tigertail Ranch
Trainer: Danny Pish
Jockey: Florent Geroux
Town and Country LLC’s My Miss Chiff ($4.40, $3 and $2.10) kept an undefeated streak over the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots main track alive when she won the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Ladies Sprint, her fourth victory in as many starts over the New Orleans oval.
Ridden by Mitchell Murrill and trained by Al Stall, Jr., the daughter of Into Mischief’s wins at the Fair Grounds include a maiden win in January and a March allowance victory, both against statebreds, as well as her triumph last out in the Happy Ticket Stakes on Opening Day.
Breaking from the gate, Murrill took My Miss Chiff back to third as Elektracutioner dictated the pace up front through fractions of 21.86 and 45.56. Approaching the top of the stretch, My Miss Chiff began to gain on the tiring pacesetter and took command to win the race by three-quarters of a length over Look Into My Eyes ($5.80 and $3.20), who was 3½ lengths clear of Wheatfield ($2.10) in third.
“We got the trip we wanted,” Murrill said. “We sat outside. She does her own thing and then just takes me right back to the wire.”
My Miss Chiff scored her fourth victory in six lifetime starts and boosted her earnings to $159,660.
Play Unified, Dr Liz, Bitsy’s C C, Discreetly Grand, Elektracutioner, Sunny Oak and Fairwell Tax Breakcompleted the order of finish.
Louisiana Champions Day Lassie
Fair Grounds, 12-9-17, 6 furlongs
Two-Year-Old Fillies, Accredited Louisiana Breds
Purse: $100,000
Minit to Stardom with Colby Hernandez aboard wins thd 27th running of the Louisiana Champions Day Lassie at Fair Grounds. Hodges Photography / Lou Hodges, Jr.
MINIT TO STARDOM
Star Guitar–Wild About Marie, by Wildcat Heir
Breeder: Brittlyn Stables, Inc.
Owner: Brittlyn Stable, Inc.
Trainer: Albert M. Stall, Jr.
Jockey: Colby J.Hernandez
2nd Sarah’s Holy Belle
El Corredor–My Holy Belle, by Holy Bull
Breeder: Perform Stables Inc.
Owner: Perform Stables Inc.
Trainer: Ricky Courville
Jockey: Chantal Sutherland
3rd: Girls Life
Colonel John–Saucey Officer, by Officer
Breeder: Georgia Farms Inc
Owner: Brad Raney
Trainer: Karl Broberg
Jockey: Ashley Broussard
Brittlyn Stable’s Minit To Stardom ($3, $2.60 and $2.10) proved herself to be a worthy 1-2 favorite in the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Lassie, winning the six-furlong event by an emphatic 7¼ lengths. Guided to victory by Colby Hernandez and trained by Al Stall, Jr., the daughter of Louisiana living legend Star Guitar broke sharply and sat just to the outside of pacesetters Tigertail Ranch’s Cool Spring and stablemate Andthebandplayedon who set opening fractions of 22.10 and 46.38 Around the far turn, Minit To Stardom cruised to the front without being asked and began to open up on the field. Hernandez shook the reins a few times in the stretch as the filly completed the trip in 1:12.18.
Perform Stables Inc.’s Sarah’s Holy Belle ($9.80 and $6) closed to get second, 1¼ lengths ahead of Brad Raney’s Girls Life ($6.80) in third.
“She’s a really nice filly,” Hernandez said. “She’ll do anything you ask her to, but I didn’t have to ask her to do much.”
The Louisiana Champions Day Lassie was Minit To Stardom’s first stakes victory in only her second career start. She made her career debut a winning one by 5¼ lengths on Opening Day in a state-bred maiden special weight. The victory elevated her lifetime earnings to $84,600.
Yes Gorgeous, Cool Spring, Andthebandplayedon, She’screative and Just A Bandit completed the order of finish.
Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile
Fair Grounds, 12-9-17, 6 furlongs
Two-Year-Old Colts and Geldings, Accredited Louisiana Breds
Purse: $100,000
GREELEY WENT WEST
El Corredor–So Well Read, by Read the Footnotes
Breeder: Tom Curtis & Wayne Simpson
Owner: Phyllis J. Hodges and Randy Schiender
Trainer: James E. Hodges
Jockey: James Graham
2nd Divine Bean
Star Guitar–Good Human Bean, by Langfuhr
Breeder: Brittlyn, Inc.
Owner: Brittlyn Stable, Inc.
Trainer: Albert M. Stall, Jr.
Jockey: Colby J. Hernandez
3rd Cajun Creed
Jimmy Creed–Surprise Squall, by Stephen Got Even
Breeder: Danny M. Brown & Donna B. Brown
Owner: Horseplayers Racing Club LLC
Trainer: Danny Pish
Jockey: Florent Geroux
Phyllis J. Hodges and Randy Schiender’s Greeley Went West ($15, $7 and $4.20) out-dueled Brittlyn Stable’s stubborn Divine Bean ($3.60, $2.80) in the stretch to take the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile Stakes by a length in a time of 1:11.76.
Trained by James Hodges and ridden to victory by James Graham, the son of El Corredor remained undefeated in two starts, the first of which was a win against state-bred maidens at Louisiana Downs in September. Graham kept Greeley Went West off the pace commanded by Divine Bean who set opening fractions of 21.96, 46.07 and 58.60 before unsuccessfully fighting off a challenge from the eventual winner. Horseplayer Racing Club’s Cajun Creed ($3) took the show spot another length back.
“He broke sharp and I put him in a good spot,” Graham said. “When I picked him up he sprinted home. He went after them a little sooner than I wanted to, but halfway around the turn I said, ‘Man, I’ve got a little bit of pony.’”
The first time gelding enhanced his career earnings to $73,200.
Ready Prospector, Pound For Pound, Prayer Boy, Exigent and Uncle Herbie completed the order of finish.
Louisiana Champions Day Ladies
Fair Grounds, 12-9-17, @ 1 1/16 miles, turf
Three-Year-Olds and Upwards, Fillies and Mares, Accredited Louisiana Breds
Purse: $100,000
Inveniam Viam with jockey Shaun Bridgmohan aboar captures the 27th running of the Louisiana Champions Day Ladies Turf at Fair Grounds. Hodges Photography / Lou Hodges, Jr.
INVENIAM VIAM
Half Ours–Haliburton Honey, by Regal Classic
Breeder: Paul E Mullen
Owner: Allied Racing Stable, LLC
Trainer: Brad H. Cox
Jockey: Shaun Bridgmohan
2nd Pacific Pink
Private Vow–Truly Romantic, by Robyn Dancer
Breeder: Brandon Adcock
Owner: Keith Plaisance
Trainer: Edward J. Johnston
Jockey: Corey J. Lanerie
3rd Mr. Al’s Gal
Salute the Sarge–Spanish Ice, by Spanish Steps
Breeder: J. Adcock & Neal McFadden
Owner: Brittlyn Stable, Inc.
Trainer: Justin Jeansonne
Jockey: Diego Saenz
Louisiana Champions Day Turf
Fair Grounds, 12-9-17, @ 1 1/16 miles, turf
Three-Year-Olds and Upwards, Accredited Louisiana Breds
Purse: $100,000
Extra Credit (lime green silks) wins the Louisiana Champions Day Turf at Fair Grounds. Hodges Photography / Amanda Hodges Weir
EXTRA CREDIT
Proud Citizen–Sunny Isles, by Stormy Atlantic
Breeder: Richard Klein & Bertram Klein
Owner: Klein Racing
Trainer: Brad H. Cox
Jockey: Shaun Bridgmohan
2nd Fort Pulaski
Any Given Saturday–Jazznwithcandy, by Jambalaya Jazz
Breeder: Tigertail Ranch
Owner: Tigertail Ranch
Trainer: Danny Pish
Jockey: Jose Valdivia, Jr.
3rd Trust Factor
Paddy O’Prado–Mainsail, byMizzen Mast
Breeder: J. Adcock & Hume Wornall
Owner: Scrivener Stables
Trainer: Michael J. Maker
Jockey: Robby Albarado
Louisiana Champions Day Starter Handicap
Fair Grounds, 12-9-17, @ 1 miles, turf
Three-Year-Olds and Upwards, Accredited Louisiana Breds
Purse: $50,000
Well’s Gold with Miguel Mena aboard wins the La Champions Day Starter Handicap Stakes at Fair Grounds. Hodges Photography / Amanda Hodges Weir
WELL’S GOLD
Gold Tribute-Lucky Buck’s Baby, by Spend A Buck
Breeder: J. Weldon Granger
Owner: James DeSoto
Trainer: F. Dewaine Loy
Jockey: Miguel Mena
2nd Southern Mister
Yonaguska-Vicki’s Valentine, by Mi Selecto
Breeder: Mark W. Necaise
Owner: Darque Horse Racing LLC
Trainer: Eduardo Ramirez
Jockey: Kerwin Clark
3rd Thunderberg
Teuflesberg-LIttle Rainmaker, by Thunder Gulch
Breeder: P & D Racing Stables
Owner: P & D Racing Stables
Trainer: Dana Whited
Jockey: Diego Saenz
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