Category: Fair Grounds

ADDITIONAL EHV-1 POSITIVES AT FAIR GROUNDS

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By BloodHorse Staff

A total of 10 horses have tested positive for equine herpesvirus at Fair Grounds

Three additional horses tested positive for equine herpesvirus Jan. 10 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, the Louisiana oval reported the following day. All three were positive for the EHV-1 non-neurogenic type, also called the “wild type” strain.

One horse in Barn 4, trained by Merrill Scherer, returned a positive test after originally returning negative results Jan. 7. Barn 4 has been placed under a mandatory 14-day quarantine.

Another horse in Barn 47, trained by Kenneth Hargrave, returned a positive test after originally returning negative results Jan. 7. Barn 47’s 14-day quarantine period has been reset.

A horse in Barn 30, trained by Tim Glyshaw, spiked a fever late Jan. 9 and returned a positive test after having blood pulled Jan. 10. Barn 30 has been placed under a mandatory 14-day quarantine.

Fair Grounds has been dealing with the outbreak since Dec. 26, when an unraced 2-year-old filly was euthanized as a result of the infection. Oaklawn Park and the state of Kentucky have placed restrictions upon horses traveling from Louisiana. Keeneland and the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. both required withdrawal of Louisiana-based horses from their respective January sales.

Under the guidance of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and the USDA, Fair Grounds o cials continue to monitor the situation closely and will follow all protocols as directed by those two governing bodies.

EHV-1 Scare, Shipping Bans Decimate Fields At Louisiana Racetracks

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by  | 01.09.2017 | 5:15pm

Paulick Report

As Christmas Day approached, things were looking very positive at Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans. The track was showing significant increases year over year in handle and field sizes averaged around nine per race, up a horse per race from a year earlier.

Then, the call came in that a horse in Barn 14 tested positive for the equine herpesvirus. The strain of the disease, EHV-1, is highly contagious and can prove fatal. Louisiana’s Department of Agriculture installed a quarantine on Barn 14, and since then, six other horses have tested positive for EHV-1, some of them to a different strain that doesn’t target the nervous system, and three more barns have been quarantined. The track also imposed a ban on shipping in or out.

“We were feeling good about ourselves, and then all of the sudden, this bombshell hits us, and you just get back to reality and face it and deal with it,” said Jason Boulet, Fair Grounds’ senior director of racing.

Boulet hasn’t crunched the numbers in the new year, but the anectodal evidence suggests the shipping ban is having a serious impact on field sizes and most likely handle. Primarily stewards’ scratches, presumably the result of horses not shipping in, led to a three-horse field on Saturday and a two-horse race on Sunday.

“We average about 15 to 20 ship-ins per day for our racing program, so we depend on those horses to make our field sizes what they are,” said Boulet. “When you shut that down, it pretty much brings down the starters per race by one or two horses.”

Soggy turf course conditions over the weekend didn’t help matters. Off-the-turf races led to even more scratches.

The racing product is struggling across the state at Delta Downs, too. Despite not having any EHV-1 positives, Delta Downs also imposed a ban on shipping. For Saturday’s nine-race card, 42 of 92 entries were scratched by stewards. The third race saw a maiden special weight field whittled from 10 down to two. The numbers make sense. About half of any given card at Delta Downs might be comprised of shippers, according to Louisiana Racing Commission Executive Director Charlie Gardiner. It appears the rumor mill is churning, and the backside is buzzing with concern about EHV-1.

“Our racing is suffering right now and except for Fair Grounds, which is an unusual situation, I don’t think the same restrictions are warranted at Delta,” said Gardiner. “Sometimes, the worst part of the virus is the paranoia and fear that it strikes in others. A lot of times the fear is greater than the actual facts.”

At the same time, Gardiner said, “we want the tracks to have the autonomy to do what they think is in their best interests.”

Delta announced Monday that it would extend its quarantine on shipping until Jan. 16 and issued the following statement: “We still have not any reports of EHV-1 at Delta Downs, but are extending the quarantine out of an abundance of caution, in order to avoid the further spread of EHV-1 at our state’s racetracks.  We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause to owners and trainers, and appreciate their understanding and support.”

“I can’t blame them; they’re trying to do the right thing,” said Boulet, “but they have hurt a lot of the horsemen in the in-between spots, the training centers and farms (by not allowing ship-ins).”

Boulet said Fair Grounds is doing everything it can to get the situation resolved sooner than later. Track owner Churchill Downs Inc. has invited equine infectious disease expert Dr. Nathan Slovis from Kentucky’s Hagyard Equine Medical Institute to visit Fair Grounds Tuesday and meet with state officials. There will also be a question and answer session with horsemen.

Friday will mark the end of the 14-day quarantine period for Barn 14, where the first positive test occurred. The quarantine won’t be lifted automatically; the state still must officially approve an exit plan, but both Boulet and Gardiner are confident the track is turning the corner.

“When we get past this week, and we start to release some of these quarantines that are happening at Fair Grounds, and I’m confident that’s going to happen soon, we’ll get back to normal,” said Gardiner.

“If we can through this one process and the state lets us out,” echoed Boulet, “then we can try to get out of this thing as quickly as possible.”

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Copyright © 2017 Paulick Report.

FAIR GROUNDS BACKSTRETCH UNDER QUARANTINE, Racing Continues

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Fair Grounds continues racing but no horses will be permitted to ship in or out of the facility

Two more horses on the backstretch at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots spiked temperatures Jan. 2 and as a result the entirety of the Fair Grounds backstretch is under quarantine.

No horses will be permitted to ship in or ship out of Fair Grounds. Track o cials, in concert with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and the United States Department of Agriculture, continue to monitor the situation and follow all protocols as directed by those two governing bodies.

Oaklawn Park, working in conjunction with the Arkansas State Racing Commission, is restricting horses from Louisiana. No horses that have been in Louisiana in the past 30 days will be permitted on the grounds until further notice.

 

Mr. Al’s Gal and Jack Snipe Take Respective Divisions of the 2016 Louisiana Futurities

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mr-als-gal_12-31-2016

Louisiana Futurity (filly div)
Fair Grounds, December 31, 2016
6 furlongs, Purse $100,000
for Louisiana-Breds, 2YO fillies

MR. AL’S GAL
Salute The Sarge-Spanish Ice, by Spanish Steps
Breeder: J. Adcock & Neal McFadden
Owner: Rodney Virgadamo & Keith Bonura
Trainer: Justin Jeansonne; Jockey: R.E. Eramia

2nd
Princess Samurai
First Samurai-Interruption, by Conquistador
Breeder: Orange Grove Thoroughbreds, Inc.
Owner: Darlene & Mike Peterson
Trainer: W. Bret Calhoun; Jockey: M. Mena

3rd
Quarter Carat
Tiz Wonderful-Diamondinthestream, by Smart Strike
Breeder: Stacy Moak
Owner: Stacy Moak
Trainer: Albert M. Stall, Jr.; Jockey: F. Geroux

1:10.64, Track: good, Margins: 12 3/4, 3/4, 3/4

jack-snipes

Louisiana Futurity (colt & gelding div)
Fair Grounds, December 31, 2016
6 furlongs, Purse $100,000
for Louisiana-Breds, 2YOs

JACK SNIPE’S
Half Ours-Rhodelia, by Silver Deputy
Breeder: Clear Creek Stud LLC
Owner: Jeff Drown & Gary M Scherer
Trainer: Gary M. Scherer; Jockey: D.J. Meche

2nd
Run Away Ralph
Custom For Carlos-Lucky Haley, by Forty Won
Breeder: Trey LaVoice
Owner: Energy Solutions Consultants, LLC
Trainer: Edward J. Johnston; Jockey: R. Alvarado

3rd
Street Honor
Street Boss-Noon Delight, by Broken Vow
Breeder: Darlene & Jeff Wahman
Owner: Norman Stables, LLC
Trainer: Lonnie Briley; Jockey: G. Saez

1:11.68, Track: good, Margins: nk, 2, 1

 

Louisiana-bred juveniles had their last chance at stakes money in 2016 in sex-divided divisions of the Louisiana Futurities over six furlongs on the main track.

In the $100,800 fillies division, Rodney Virgadamo and Keith Bonura’s Mr. Al’s Gal broke sharply and was never headed in a runaway win. Trained by Justin Jeansonne, the daughter of Salute the Sarge was racing beyond five furlongs for the first time, but it mattered little as she quickly assumed command of the early pace under Richard Eramia, turned away an early challenge from longshot Star Guitarist through splits of 21.83 and 45.65, and finished full of run to stop the clock in 1:10.64 with a 12¾-length victory

“She broke really sharp and we tried to relax,” Eramia said. “I didn’t know I was going that quick until after the race, because she didn’t feel like she was going that quick, and at the eighth-pole she took off again. She’s a nice filly and will have some good races later.”

Darlene and Mike Peterson’s Bret Calhoun-trained Princess Samurai settled in mid-pack under Miguel Mena before offering a modest rally to finish second, three-quarters of a length in front of Stacey Moak’s Al Stall Jr.-trained Quarter Carat, who saved ground inside under Florent Geroux but could not match strides late.

Mr. Al’s Gal won for the second time in three career starts, earned $60,480 to boost her career bankroll to $85,280 and returned $15, $7.80 and $5.20. Princess Samurai paid $5.60 and $4.40, and Quarter Carat returned $3.20.

Sharp Henny, Singing a Song, Foxy Miss, Actif Storm, Star Guitarist, Southern Gold and Hot and Ready completed the order of finish.

Two races later in the $100,000 colts and geldings division, Jeff Drown and Gary Scherer’s Jack Snipe’s overcame the widest draw when parlaying a good break into a perfect, pressing trip to score. Ridden by Donnie Meche for trainer Gary Scherer, the 8-5 wagering favorite prompted Tigerstorm through splits of 21.61 and 45.88 before edging clear into the stretch and turning away a challenge from Energy Solutions Consultants’ Eddie Johnston-trained Run Away Ralph and Robby Albarado to score by a neck at the wire in a final time of 1:11.68. It was another two lengths astern to Norman Stables’ Street Honor in third under Gabriel Saez for trainer Lonnie Briley.

“It was an awesome trip,” Meche said. “He’s such a great horse to ride, he does anything you want. We got in the gate and he was just waiting for it to open, so he broke well and that made the trip easy. He saw (Run Away Ralph) on the outside (in the stretch) and was never going to let that horse by.”

The son of Half Ours won for the third time in six career starts and earned $60,000 to increase his lifetime bankroll to $141,800. He returned $5.40, $3 and $2.80, with Run Away Ralph paying $8.80 and $6.20 and Street Honor returning $5.80.

Tigerstorm, Just Due, Charlie Ballado, Set Hut, First After Break, Il Est Vite, Tooth, Run Bayou, Pops Legacy and Armanno completed the running order.

Favorite Believe In Bertie Proves Best in Pago Hop

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believe-in-bertie-ir_12-31-2016

Pago Hop Stakes
Fair Grounds, December 31, 2016
Abt 1 Mile, Turf, Purse $75,000
3YO fillies

BELIEVE IN BERTIE
Langfuhr-Saint Bertie, by Street Cry (IRE)
Breeder: Richard Klein & Bertram Klein (LA)
Owner: Richard and Bertram Klein
Trainer: Brad H. Cox; Jockey: S. Bridgmohan

2nd
Gianna’s Dream
Twirling Candy-Untamed Beauty, by Rahy
Breeder: Center Hills Farm & Randy Blair (OK)
Owner: Jordan V. Wycoff
Trainer: Michael J Maker; Jockey: F. Geroux

3rd
Frozen Hannah
E Dubai-Hanna’s Harmony, by Storming Fever
Breeder: David A. Ross (KY)
Owner: Wayne Sanders and Larry Hirsch
Trainer: Joe Sharp; Jockey: G. Saez

1:34.22, Track: firm, Margins: 7 3/4, no, 3 1/2

 

Richard Klein and Bertram Klein’s Believe in Bertie backed up her morning-line favoritism and popped the cork on her connections’ New Year’s Eve celebration with a track record-setting performance in the 33rd running of the $75,000 Pago Hop Stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.

Ridden by Shaun Bridgmohan for current meet-leading trainer Brad Cox, the 3-year-old daughter of Langfuhr was dominant throughout, leading through fractions of 24.01, 47.27 and 1:10.85 for six furlongs. With 8½ lengths to spare and her pilot motionless in the stretch, she maintained powerfully through a final quarter-mile in 23.37 to win the about one-mile event on the Stall-Wilson turf course by 7¾ lengths in 1:34.22, breaking the record of 1:34.51 set by 6-year-old campaigner Paroled in 2015.

A Louisiana-bred, Believe in Bertie ($5, $3.40 and $2.80) won for the fourth time in nine starts and annexed her second career stakes event and first in open company, earning a state-bred bonus-inflated $62,640 to increase her career bankroll to $271,522. She is the first foal out of unraced Street Cry (IRE) mare Saint Bertie and a granddaughter of four-time graded stakes-winning mare Allamerican Bertie, runner-up by less than a length in 2002’s Grade I Alabama Stakes.

“She’s got such a high cruising speed, so I just wanted to stay out of her way and be a good passenger,” Bridgmohan said. “She was doing it so easily. I never even had to pull the stick on her.”

“She went out fast and kept going fast. She came home 11 and change and looked great,” Cox added. “She’s the kind who likes to get into a rhythm and carry her speed and she’s super-talented; as talented as any horse in the barn.”

Chasing throughout and holding on for second was Jordan V. Wycoff’s Mike Maker-trained two-time stakes winner Gianna’s Dream ($4.20 and $4) under the meet’s current leading rider, Florent Geroux. A nose behind her was Wayne R. Sanders and Larry Hirsch’s Joe Sharp-trained longshotFrozen Hannah ($9.80 to show) under Gabriel Saez.

“I had a good trip and was trying to get to the winner, but we were second-best today,” Geroux said. “The winner ran a huge race.”

Local stakes winner Princess Erindelle rallied from last to fourth, followed by Inconclusive, Most Beautiful(GB), Always Right, Ready for Chianti, Nobody’s Fault, La Peregrina, Motown Lady and School Board Prez to complete the order of finish.

Second and Third Horses Test Positive for EHV-1 At Fair Grounds

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A second horse has tested positive for EHV-1 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots in New Orleans, La. The strain of the disease can be accompanied by neurological symptoms and can prove fatal in horses. The horse, trained by Jeff Thornbury, was housed in Barn 14 which is currently under mandated quarantine by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture. The infected horse has been isolated from the regular barn area and will have no interaction with the rest of the horse population on the backstretch.

A third horse has also tested positive for equine herpes at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots in New Orleans, La. The horse, trained by Mike Stidham, resides in Barn 36 and contracted EHV-1 nonneurogenic type, also called “wild type” strain. This strain is different than the strain of EHV- 1 that has affected two horses in Barn 14 in the previous week. The infected horse has been isolated from the rest of the backstretch population in a different area than the previously isolated horse due to the differing strains.

The positive test from Barn 36 does not affect the currently mandated quarantine of Barn 14, and that barn’s 14-day quarantine period continues as is. The mandated 14-day quarantine of Barn 14 that originally started on Dec. 26 has

been reset following the second confirmed case and started anew effective Dec. 31. All horses in the affected barn will be monitored, and if no horses test positive for the virus and do not show symptoms, the quarantine may be lifted at the discretion of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture.

Fair Grounds officials continue to monitor the situation closely under the guidance of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and the USDA, and continue to follow all protocols as directed by those two governing bodies.

At this time, under the direction of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture, the quarantine continues to have no impact on horses shipping out or shipping in for races as long as they arrive with proper vaccination documents. All horses shipping in will be required to use the Belfort Street entrance.

Fair Grounds Barn Under Quarantine

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Tuesday, December 27, 2016

Barn 14 at the Fair Grounds has been placed under quarantine by the State of Louisiana’s Department of Agriculture after a horse residing in the barn tested positive for a strain of Equine Herpes Virus known as EHV-1. The infected horse, an unraced 2-year-old filly trained by Alice Cohn, was euthanized Monday.

Horses currently stabled in Barn 14 will not be permitted to leave the property until the quarantine has been lifted and will only be permitted to train during a specific period after regular training hours. All residents of Barn 14 will continue to be monitored and is none show signs of or test positive for the virus, the quarantine will be lifted at the end of the standard 14-day period.

The quarantine will not affect horses shipping in for races as long as they have the proper vaccination documents.

Report: Equine Herpesvirus Case Confirmed At Fair Grounds

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by  | 12.26.2016 | 10:27pm 

Fair Grounds Race Course
Fair Grounds Race Course

Fair Grounds officials on Monday have taken preliminary steps to quarantine a barn in which a horse tested positive for equine herpesvirus, Daily Racing Form reports. The report was based on confirmation by Jason Boulet, the track’s senior director of racing.

A Fair Grounds trainer who spoke to the Paulick Report said test results came back Monday confirming the finding.

Equine herpesvirus, a highly contagious disease. has one strain, EHV-1, that can be accompanied by neurological symptoms and may prove fatal for some horses. Daily Racing Form reported, based on a source familiar with the situation, that the horse testing positive died on Sunday.

Officials with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry were expected to be at Fair Grounds early Tuesday morning to determine what quarantine protocols will be necessary.

There are nine strains of equine herpesvirus on record, and many horses are exposed to some form of EHV with no serious side effects or symptoms. Three strains are considered serious health risks, including EHV-1, which may present with fever and respiratory symptoms and can also carry neurological symptoms and a risk of death. Symptoms of the neurologic form of EHV-1 include fever and nasal discharge, followed by lack of coordination, lethargy, head tilt, and inability to balance or stand. EHV-1 is highly contagious and may be transmitted through contaminated equipment, contact between horses, and on clothing or hands of humans working with sick horses. Veterinarians aren’t sure how long the virus can survive in the environment, or how well it travels through the air. The Paulick Report compiled a list of frequently-asked questions about EHV-1 during an outbreak at Sunland Park earlier this year.

The most recent case of equine herpesvirus at a racetrack occurred at Gulfstream Park in November. Horses in the quarantined barn were permitted to train but at separate times from the general population. The horses were tested and had their temperatures monitored during a 14-day quarantine period. There being no further positive tests, the quarantine was lifted after 14 days.

A website maintained by the Equine Disease Communication Center provides updates on equine herpesvirus and other equine diseases. Alerts on outbreaks can be found here.

Fair Grounds Creates Racing Club

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Following the success of the Churchill Downs Racing Club, Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots has created the Fair Grounds Racing Club that will have two horses trained by veteran trainer Al Stall, Jr. The two horses, a 2-year-old colt and a 2-year-old filly, are already working under Stall’s care in Louisiana and will be purchased from Spendthrift Farm. Both horses are by Spendthrift’s fashionable young sire Into Mischief.

“The Fair Grounds Racing Club concept is an innovative way to get new owners involved in Thoroughbred racing,” said Spendthrift Farm Owner B. Wayne Hughes. “We are happy to lend our support to that effort to educate members about the exciting opportunities available to owners.”

The Fair Grounds Racing Club will offer 200 people a chance to experience the thrills of Thoroughbred racing as an owner. Memberships in the Fair Grounds Racing Club are available for $500 and incur no further expense throughout the club. The one-time annual membership dues are used to purchase the horses and pay for training fees and other associated expenses. The club gives members an opportunity to learn about the exciting opportunities as a Thoroughbred racing owner with complete transparency regarding all facets of ownership. Previous racing clubs at Churchill Downs and Arlington International Racecourse have sold out within 48 hours.

Perks of being a club member include regular updates on the program via email and a dedicated Facebook page, special club events for viewing certain morning workouts, privileged access to the paddock before the club’s horses race, special accommodations on race day and exclusive members-only events.

The Fair Grounds Racing Club has been organized as a 501(c)(7) Not for Profit Social Club and is structured as an educational association meaning members should not join with any profit motive or expectation of profit. Any purse earnings, should they exist, will be distributed to the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles Cancer Center. All decisions on the club’s horses will be made by trainer Al Stall, Jr. Gary Palmisano, Jr. will be the club’s director.

“These racing clubs have caught on and been successful and I’m happy to be involved,” Stall said. “Mr. Hughes is obviously a big part of it. He bought each of these horses for a good amount of money and the colt is ready to run. The filly is a Louisiana-bred and should be ready in January.”

“The popularity of other racing clubs at Churchill Downs properties has shown a real demand for the ability to become involved in horse ownership,” said Fair Grounds Track President Tim Bryant. “We look forward to an entertaining and educational season with our first Fair Grounds Racing Club.”

All previous racing clubs at Churchill Downs and Arlington have sold out quickly, so interested members are encouraged to join the club as soon as possible. To join the Fair Grounds Racing Club, please visit http://www.fairgroundsracecourse.com/fair-grounds-racing-club. 

Mobile Bay Runs Away With Louisiana Champions Day Classic

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Tigertail Ranch’s Mobile Bay entered Saturday’s featured $150,000 Louisiana Champions Day Classic as the lone graded stakes winner in the field and asserted said class in a dominant 4 3/4-length triumph under a heady ride by Diego Saenz. An iron horse, having raced 24 times over the last two seasons, the 17-hand dark bay appeared fresh and strong throughout, tracking defending champ The Pickett Factor in second before moving through an opening on the rail to take control of the race on the far turn. From there, the Victor Arceneaux trainee was all poise, widening his sizable stride and winning margin to the wire. Winner of the Grade II Super Derby and Classic runner-up last year, the son of Lone Star Special completed the 1 1/8-miles event for Louisiana-bred 3-year-olds and upward in 1:51.31.

The victory was part of a stellar day for Irwin Olian’s Tigertail Ranch, which also won the $100,000 Ladies Sprint with Danny Pish-trained Wheatfield and finished second in the $100,000 Turf with Fort Pulaski from four starters.

“After a good break, I was able to put him pretty much where I wanted to,” Saenz said. “He’s a big horse and if he doesn’t break good, he’s not going to run that well. He put me in position and I had time to save all the ground on the second turn and just go for it.”

Setting fractions of 24.82, 49.67 and 1:13.62 under John Jacinto, The Pickett Factor begrudgingly retreated to third for trainer Ralph Irwin and owner Melissa Cantacuzene. Double Dam Farm’s Delmar Caldwell-trained Mageez rallied well under Mitchell Murrill to grab the runner-up spot by a length.

Mobile Bay, who returned $7.40, $4.40 and $3.20 as the 5-2 third choice, won for the ninth time in 24 career starts, adding $90,000 to a career bankroll that now sits at $916,440. Mageez returned $6.20 and $4, while The Pickett Factor returnd $2.80.

“He was a little sharper than we had set out to be, so I just tried to get him settled,” Murrill said. “I had him in a  good spot and he was comfortable. I thought they would come back to me, but the winner kept going.”

“It was a good trip, but this horse has his own way of running,” Jacinto said. “He doesn’t like to be (near the rail), so we lost some ground. I was going so easily on the lead and he tried to come back to the winner, but in the last sixteenth he got tired.”

Finishing last of six in his attempt at a third Classic victory in as many attempts, 3-2 favorite Sunbean disappointed under Richard Eramia for trainer Ron Faucheux and owner Brittlyn Stable.

“He felt good and I was sitting behind the winner (on the backstretch), but he didn’t pick it up,” Eramia said. “He just didn’t have it. He’s such a nice horse to ride, but he didn’t have anything left today.”

The Classic running order was completed by Southern Argument, One King’s Man and the aformentioned Sunbean.

Valene Farms’ Hail to the Nile was courageous in victory in the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Turf, fending off a stiff two-pronged challenge in mid-stretch to post a three-quarter-length tally. Piloted by Francisco Torres, the local grass lover won his fifth race from 11 tries over the Stall-Wilson turf course.

The Sturges Ducoing-trained son of Pioneerof the Nile broke from the outside post six and dictated fractions of 24.63, 49.66 and 1:13.48 before being headed by Tigertail Ranch’s sophomore Fort Pulaski, under Florent Geroux, at the top of the lane. Determined, the bay repelled said Danny Pish trainee and also held off a stiff challenge from Charles C. Smith’s three-time Turf winner and 8-year-old local fan favorite String King, who finished another half-length astern Fort Pulaski in third under James Graham. The final time for the 1 1/16-miles event for 3-year-olds and upward Louisiana-breds was 1:43.88,

“He’s the kind of horse you rate and we took control of the pace,” Torres said. “Of course, you’re going to get pressure when you’re going easy fractions. He did it effortlessly and I asked him to kick it in (at the top of the stretch) and he did. We had a little something left in the tank.”

Sent to post as the 9-2 co-fourth-choice, Hail to the Nile paid $11.20, $6.40 and $3.60, while adding $60,000 to a career bankroll that now sits at $246,161. The win was his second in added-money company this year at the New Orleans oval, having acquired the $60,000 Dixie Poker Ace on Feb. 27, and sixth in the 5-year-old gelding’s 31-race career. Fort Pulaski returned $4.40 and $2.60, while String King returned $2.40 as the slight 2-1 favorite.

“I was in a great spot and thought I had him,” Geroux said. “I went to go by him at the quarter pole, but at the eighth-pole he came back on me.”

“I had a beautiful trip,” Graham added. “When I tipped him out, I had all the racetrack in front of me. He just didn’t have it.”

The Turf field was completed by Let Us Be Glad, defending champion Hot Zapper and local prep winner Benwill.

After falling short as the favorite in the local prep, Maggi Moss’ Big World ($4.20, $2.80 and $2.20) rebounded with a game effort to score in the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Ladies. A clean break under Florent Geroux set the 3-year-old daughter of Custom for Carlos up for a perfect pressing trip behind fractions of 24.15, 47.63 and 1:12.48 before assuming command at the top of the lane. The Tom Amoss trainee then turned away a late challenge from Set-Hut LLC’s Jerry Delhomme-trained Forest Lake ($5.80 and $2.60) under Hector Santiago to post a neck win in 1:45.08 for the 1 1/16-miles trip. Keith Plaisance’s defending champion Pacific Pink ($2.40) was another five lengths back in third under Robby Albarado for trainer Eddie Johnston.

“It was going great,” Geroux said. “She broke very sharply from the gate and from there I just tried to nurse her around and get her to relax.”

The win was Big World’s fourth in eight career starts, and the $60,000 winner’s share boosted her career bankroll to $318,600.

Heatseeker Sharon, Seaside Candy and Kinky Vow completed the order of finish.

Breeder-owner-trainer Dallas Stewart’s Saint’s Fan ($3, $2.40 and $2.10) justified his 1-2 favoritism with a sharp two-length score in the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile. The son of Tale of Ekati remained unbeaten in two starts under Brian Hernandez, Jr. after a sharp score against open maidens at Churchill Downs on Nov. 4. Placed in the outer paths while rated off splits of 22.17 and 45.74, Saint’s Fan commenced a relentless rally nearing the top of the stretch and eventually collared Rodney Verret’s Allen Landry-trained Laughingsaintssong under Florent Geroux ($6.40 and $4.20) in the final eighth of a mile to stop the clock in 1:10.74 for six furlongs. It was another 2½ lengths back to Jeff Drown and Gary Scherer’s Jack Snipe’s ($2.80) in third.

“We were a bit wide from the outside post, but we knew we had the best horse so I rode him like he was the best horse,” Hernandez, Jr. said. “I don’t think you’ve seen the best of him yet.”

Saint’s Fan earned $60,000 to boost his bankroll to $92,700.

Philly, Street Honor, Imindycatbirdseat, Just Due, Stormin Afleet and Run Away Ralph completed the running order.

Robbins Family Racing’s My Friend Flavin ($32.60, $10.80 and $7) returned to Louisiana-bred company for his first start since July and turned in a resolute rally to post a three-quarter-length win in the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Sprint. Trained by Leo Gabriel, Jr., the 4-year-old son of Forestry settled midpack under Robby Albarado behind splits of 21.71 and 45.19 set by Just Kissing Buck and Greeley’s Wish before wearing down Dare to Dream Stable’s Mike Stidham-trained 6-5 favorite Jockamo’s Song ($3.20 and $2.80), who led into deep stretch under Florent Geroux, in a final time of 1:10.60. It was three lengths further back to Suzette Necaise’s Eduardo Ramirez-trained Just Kissing Buck ($4.60) under Diego Saenz.

“I had a great trip,” Albarado said. “He broke exceptionally well and I sat right in between the two flights with no traffic trouble.”

The Sprint was the first stakes win and fourth overall from 13 lifetime starts for My Friend Flavin, who earned $60,000 to boost his bankroll to $164,202.

Nubin Ridge, Grande Basin, Greeley’s Wish, C U Tiger, Chattanoogan, John’s Luck, Zendelphian, Too Dim and Smoothmoney completed the running order.

Tigertail Ranch’s Wheatfield ($11.80, $5 and $3.20) returned to Louisiana-bred company for the first time in four starts and powered home a winner in the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Ladies Sprint. Ridden by Diego Saenz for trainer Danny Pish, Wheatfield tracked from the outside through splits of 21.85 and 45.28 before easily powering home clear by 3¾ lengths in 1:09.89 for six furlongs. Keith Plaisance’s Eddie Johnston-trained Sunny Oak ($5.40 and $3.40) battled for the early lead with Conquest Tiz One after a sharp break under Miguel Mena, went clear into the stretch, but could not repel the winner’s challenge. It was another 2¾ lengths back to Steve Landers Racing’s 9-5 favorite Illussion Artist ($2.80), who finished third under Robby Albarado for trainer Brad Cox.

“I was trying not to get stopped at any part of the race, so I kept her out so I could move any time I had to,” Saenz said.

Wheatfield, a 4-year-old daughter of Lone Star Special, won for the sixth time in 15 lifetime starts and earned $60,000 for the win, building her career bankroll to $264,754

Ramona’s Wildcat, Look Into My Eyes, Conquest Tiz One, Teelfa, Discreetly Grand, Aunt Nellie, Jet Black Magic, Fancy Madelyn and Platinum Lady completed the running order. Wind Chill Factor was scratched.

Troy Collins’ Ivana’s Wish ($41.60, $13.60 and $8.40) found the front with ease and was never headed en route to a 1½-length upset win in the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Lassie. Ridden by Florent Geroux through splits of 21.91 and 45.51, the juvenile daughter of Custom for Carlos completed the six-furlong trip in 1:11.89 for trainer Allen Landry. The win was her second in four career starts and the $60,000 winner’s purse elevated her career bankroll to $80,100.

“It worked out good,” Geroux said. “The trainer told me that last time she broke a bit flat footed and made a middle move and it was not the best setup for her. She broke very sharply and I was able to take the lead pretty easily.”

Marble Farms LLC’s Our Millie ($3.40 and $2.60) tracked the pace under Alexander Castillo but could not reach the winner for trainer Joseph Foster, with Bobby Salome’s Charles Hukill-trained Chases Dixie Belle ($3.80) another length back in third under Colby Hernandez.

Moonlightnmidnight, P Boo, Jazz Lady, Naughty Little Nun and Alyssa Rocks completed the running order.

Maggi Moss’ Watch My Smoke ($8.20, $3.20 and $2.80) settled outside and just off the speed before confronting the leaders turning for home en route to a 3½-length tally in the $50,000 Louisiana Champions Day Starter Stakes, winning said event for the second year in a row. Ridden by Florent Geroux for trainer Tom Amoss, the 8-year-old son of Leestown exited an easy win against $25,000 claiming company at Indiana Grand. After tracking the early splits of 23.99, 47.64 and 1:12.73, the big gray edged clear to complete the 1 mile and 70 yards in 1:43.64. The $30,000 winner’s share boosted his career earnings to $441,725 in his 14th win from 51 career starts. Gillian and owner-trainer Kirk Harris’ Sir Genghis ($2.40 and $2.10), sent to post as the 3-5 favorite, set the early tempo under Colby Hernandez but could not hold off Watch My Smoke’s challenge while finishing 3¼ lengths clear of End Zone Athletics’ Karl Broberg trained Heavy On Themister ($2.40) under Robby Albarado.

Rocketringo, Bluegrass Punch and Rock N Sake completed the order of finish.