Category: Fair Grounds

2016 LOUISIANA CHAMPIONS DAY RESULTS

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LOUISIANA CHAMPIONS DAY CLASSIC S.

Fair Grounds, 12/10, $150,000, 3yo/up, 9f (dirt), 1:51.31, track fast.

MOBILE BAY
124, dk b/br c, 4

Lone Star Special–Tranquility Bay, by Out of Place

O–Tigertail Ranch, B–Tigertail Ranch, T– Victor Arceneaux, J–Diego Saenz

 

2–Mageez, 117, b c, 3

Musket Man–Spaseeba, by Spectacular Bid

O–Double Dam Farm LLC, B–James A. Mcgehee Jr., T–Delmar R. Caldwell, J–Mitchell Murrill

 

3–The Pickett Factor, 124, dk b/br g, 4

Gold Tribute–Dynaspice, by Dynaformer

O–Melissa Cantacuzene, B–E. O. Pickett, T–Ralph R. Irwin, J–John Jacinto

 

Margins: 4 3⁄4, 1, 1 1⁄4. Others: Southern Argument, One King’s Man, Sunbean.

 

LOUISIANA CHAMPIONS DAY JUVENILE S.

Fair Grounds, 12/10, $100,000, 2yo, 6f (dirt), 1:10.74, track fast.

SAINT’S FAN
122, ch c, 2

Tale of Ekati–Boy Crazy, by Sky Mesa

O–Dallas Stewart, B–Dallas Stewart, T– Dallas Stewart, J–Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.

 

2–Laughingsaintssong, 122, b g, 2

Songandaprayer–Laughing Saint, by Vindication

O–Rodney J. Verret, B–J. E. Jumonville Jr. & Bunny Jumonville, T–Allen Landry, J–Florent Geroux

 

3–Jack Snipe’s, 122, b g, 2

Half Ours–Rhodelia, by Silver Deputy

O–Drown, Jeff and Scherer, Gary M., B–Clear Creek Stud Llc, T–Gary M. Scherer, J– Donnie J. Meche

 

Margins: 2, 21⁄2, 51⁄4. Others: Philly, Street Honor, Imindycatbirdseat, Just Due, Stormin Afleet, Run Away

 

 

LOUISIANA CHAMPIONS DAY LADIES S.

Fair Grounds, 12/10, $100,000, 3yo/up, f/m, 8.5f (dirt), 1:45.08, track fast.

BIG WORLD
115, b f, 3

Custom for Carlos–Tensas Wedding Joy, by Broken Vow

O–Maggi Moss, B–Curt Leake & Elm Tree Farm , LLC, T–Thomas M. Amoss, J–Flo- rent Geroux

 

2–Forest Lake, 118, b f, 4

Forestry–Oval, by Kris S.

O–Set-Hut LLC, B–Jake Delhomme & Set-Hut, LLC, T–Jerry Delhomme, J–Hector M. Santiago

 

3–Pacific Pink, 118, dk b/br f, 4

Private Vow–Truly Romantic, by Robyn Dancer O–Keith Plaisance, B–Brandon Adcock, T–Edward J. Johnston, J–Robby Albarado

 

Margins: neck, 5, 111⁄2. Others: Heatseeker Sharon, Seaside Candy, Kinky Vow.

 

 

LOUISIANA CHAMPIONS DAY LADIES SPRINT S.

Fair Grounds, 12/10, $100,000, 3yo/up, f/m, 6f (dirt), 1:09.89, track fast.

WHEATFIELD
120, dk b/br f, 4

Lone Star Special–Thistle Bear, by Gators N Bears

O–Tigertail Ranch, B–Tigertail Ranch, T– Danny Pish, J–Diego Saenz

 

2–Sunny Oak, 118, ch f, 3.

Giant Oak–Heckuva Time, by Gilded Time

O–Keith Plaisance, B–Jeff Wahman & Darlene Wahman, T–Edward J. Johnston, J–Miguel Mena

 

3–Illussion Artist, 117, dk b/br f, 3

Drosselmeyer–Art of Illusion, by Forest Wildcat

O–Steve Landers Racing LLC, B–4 M Ranch, T–Brad H. Cox, J–Robby Albarado

 

Margins: 3 3⁄4, 2 3⁄4, 2 1⁄4. Others: Ramona’s Wildcat, Look Into My Eyes, Conquest Tiz One, Teelfa, Discreetly Grand, Aunt Nellie, Jet Black Magic, Fancy Madelyn, Platinum Lady. Scratched: Wind Chill Factor.

 

 

LOUISIANA CHAMPIONS DAY LASSIE S.

Fair Grounds, 12/10, $100,000, 2yo, f, 6f (dirt), 1:11.89, track fast.

IVANA’S WISH
122, ch f, 2

Custom for Carlos–Stellar Vision, by Pollard’s Vision

O–Troy Collins, B–BCS Thoroughbreds LLC, T–Allen Landry, J–Florent Geroux

 

2–Our Millie, 122, dk b/br f, 2

Half Ours–Magic Madam, by You and I

O–Marble Farms LLC, B–Barbara V. Rowell, T–Joseph M. Foster, J–Alexander Castillo

 

3–Chases Dixie Belle, 122, b f, 2……… $11,000

My Pal Charlie–Theheartofdixie, by Crafty Prospector

O–Bobby Salome, B–Michael Villar & Cynthia Villar, T–Charles P. Hukill, J–Colby J. Hernandez

 

Margins: 11⁄2, 1, 3⁄4. Others: Moonlightnmidnight, P Boo, Jazz Lady, Naughty Little Nun, Alyssa Rocks.

 

 

LOUISIANA CHAMPIONS DAY SPRINT S.

Fair Grounds, 12/10, $100,000, 3yo/up, 6f (dirt), 1:10.60, track fast.

MY FRIEND FLAVIN
118, b g, 4

Forestry–Geiger Geisha, by Geiger Counter

O–Robbins Family Racing, B–Kara Gael Baggett & Val C. Murrell, T–Leo G. Gabriel, Jr., J–Robby Albarado

 

2–Jockamo’s Song, 118, gr/ro g, 4

Half Ours–Miss Clairnette, by Trophy Hunter

O–Dare to Dream Stable LLC (Michael Faber), B–Debbie Allen & David Allen, T–Michael Stidham, J–Florent Geroux

 

3–Just Kissing Buck, 120, b g, 4

Limehouse–Just Kissing, by Kissin Kris

O–Suzette Necaise, B–Forrest Lanning,

Kelly Turner & Tresa Snow, T–Eduardo Ramirez, J–Diego Saenz

 

Margins: 3⁄4, 3, neck. Others: Nubin Ridge, Grande Basin, Greeley’s Wish, C U Tiger, Chat-tanoogan, John’s Luck, Zendelphian, Too Dim, Smooth- money. Scratched: Hitheredarling.

 

 

LOUISIANA CHAMPIONS DAY TURF S.

Fair Grounds, 12/10, $100,000, 3yo/up, a8.5f (turf), 1:43.88, course firm.

HAIL TO THE NILE
122, b g, 5

Pioneerof the Nile–Takeaway, by Fly So Free

O–Valene Farms, B–Warren J. Harang III, T–Sturges J. Ducoing, J–Francisco C. Torres

 

2–Fort Pulaski, 115, ch c, 3

Any Given Saturday–Jazznwithcandy, by Jambalaya Jazz

O–Tigertail Ranch, B–Tigertail Ranch, T– Danny Pish, J–Florent Geroux

 

3–String King, 122, b g, 8

Crowned King–String Dancer, by Fly a Kite (IRE)

O–Charles Craig Smith, B–Charlie Smith, T–Charles Craig Smith, J–James Graham

 

Margins: 3⁄4, 1⁄2, 1. Others: Let Us Be Glad, Hot Zapper, Benwill.

 

 

LOUISIANA CHAMPIONS DAY STARTER S.

Fair Grounds, 12/10, $50,000, 3yo/up, 1Mi 70 yds, 1:43.63, track fast

WATCH MY SMOKE
121, g/ro g, 8

Leestown – Starlight Wishes by Carson City

O–Maggi Moss, B–J. Adcock, T–Tom Amoss, J–Florent Geroux

 

2–Sir Ghengis, 122, dkbb g, 5

Tale of the Cat-Staria, bty Unbridled’s Song

O–Harris, Gillian and Kirk L., B–Randel Stutes, T– Kirk Harris,  J–C. J. Hernandez

 

3–Heavy On Themister, 118, ch g, 8

Lion Tamer-Twinwinwin, by Twining

O–End Zone Athletics, Inc., B–T. J. Dickey & Rebecca Farm, T–James E. Hodges, J–R Albarado

 

Margins: 3 1/2, 3 1/4, 2. Others: Rocketringo, Bluegrass Punch, Rock N Sake.

Sunbean Chases Star Guitar’s Louisiana Champions Day Record

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Having already carved out his own niche as a local legend, Brittlyn Stable’s homebred Sunbean will aim to equal one of the state’s all-time greats when he makes his expected start in the Dec. 10 Louisiana Champions Day Classic Stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.

Sunbean, winner of the 2013 and 2014 editions of the 1 1/8-miles Louisiana Champions Day Classic Stakes, looks to join Brittlyn Stable’s other legend, Star Guitar  , as the only three-time victor of the $150,000 marquee event for state-breds. That the 6-year-old Brahms gelding is positioned to notch that feat is an achievement in itself, as he missed last year’s test with an injury that prevented him from racing for 385 days.

Since returning to training, the 15-time stakes winner and seven-time winner over the Fair Grounds dirt has won three stakes, including his last two starts. In his most recent outing Sunbean rallied to earn a half-length win in the Oct. 29 Gold Cup Stakes at Delta Downs, his third triumph in that particular contest.

“He’s doing really well and coming in ready to go,” trainer Ron Faucheux said. “He’s trained as well as he’s ever trained. His numbers and margin of victory aren’t as good as before the layoff, but I’m not sure if it’s that the competition is a little bit better than it used to be, which I think it is.”

The multi-talented Sunbean also captured the Aug. 6 Louisiana Cup Turf Classic at Louisiana Downs and was cross-entered in the Louisiana Champions Day Turf Stakes as a ‘Plan B’ should weather become a factor this weekend.

“There was no downside of cross-entering, so I went ahead and did that,” Faucheux said “If it were to rain and come off the turf, a second option carrying less weight is good, but we are pointing to the Classic.”

Sunbean has won 16 of 26 career starts with $1,172,250 in earnings. The 9-5 morning-line favorite will break from post five in the six-horse Classic field.

Challenging Sunbean will be multiple stakes winners The Pickett Factorand Mobile Bay, who finished one-two in last year’s edition of the Classic. Mobile Bay and The Pickett Factor finished second and fifth, respectively, behind Sunbean in the Gold Cup Stakes. Mobile Bay annexed the Louisiana Legends Classic Stakes at Evangeline Downs July 2.

Eleven stakes races for Louisiana-breds worth $1.1 million will be run at Fair Grounds Saturday including the six-furlong, $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Sprint headlined by defending race winner Jockamo’s Song and 8-year-old warrior String King seeking a fourth title in the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Turf.

Steve Landers Racing’s undefeated Illussion Artist will be making her stakes debut for trainer Brad Cox in the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Ladies Sprint at six furlongs. The daughter of Drosselmeyer has posted consecutive victories against open allowance company in Kentucky and will face Louisiana-breds for the first time under jockey Robby Albarado.

Nine 2-year-old colts and geldings were entered in the six-furlong, $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile, led by owner-trainer Dallas Stewart’s Saint’s Fan. The son of Tale of Ekati   was a powerful victor against open maiden special weight company at Churchill Downs in early November and will face Louisiana-bred company for the first time under jockey Brian Hernandez Jr.

Benefit to Help Richie Scherer

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A fundraiser to benefit Louisiana horseman Richard “Richie” Scherer will be held Sunday, December 18th from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at New Orleans FairGrounds.

Scherer was born and raised in New Orleans. He comes from a long line of family in the racing industry and has spent his adult life training thoroughbred race horses. He was diagnosed with Papillary Kidney Cancer in May of 2013. His cancer has progressed to Stage IV and he is currently participating in a clinical trial. His treatments to date have included surgery, weekly doctor visits for immunotherapy and chemotherapy.

This benefit is to help Richie and his family with the increasing cost of his medical care and travel related expenses. Tickets are $50 and include Complimentary Food, Music, Silent and Live Auctions and 50/50 Raffle along with a cash bar. Attire is dressy casual. The benefit is being organized by Friends In Need Foundation.

For information on sponsorships, donations and to purchase tickets please contact Dottie Martin at 504.610.9079 or dottiemartin@hotmail.com. Tickets may also be purchased and/or donations made on-line at: http://finfoundation.org/2016/11/benefit-for-richie-scherer/.

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Six Scholarships to be Awarded at Louisiana Champions Day

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NEW ORLEANS, La. – Louisiana Champions Day will take place on Saturday, December 10, at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots in New Orleans, La. The Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association and Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots will award a total of six scholarships, each valued at $1,000, during the event. The races begin at 12:30 p.m., with sign up for the drawings starting at 11:30 a.m. The students must sign up between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 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 fifth, sixth, and seventh races, where two scholarships will be awarded after each race. To qualify for the drawing, the student must be enrolled full-time in the Spring 2017 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.”
  
Louisiana Champion Day Schedule

Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association manages the best incentive program 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. The industry of racing and breeding generates over $2 billion and employs over 60,000 people in the state of Louisiana. 
 

For more information about Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association visit louisianabred.com or call 1-800-772-1195.

Al Stall Jr. Starts Strong at Hometown Meet

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Al Stall Jr. Starts Strong at Hometown Meet
Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt/Blood-Horse Publications

Trainer Al Stall Jr. and wife Nicole

In the spectrum of sports entertainment, it is easy to root for the underdog and cheer against the favorite; to want to spread the spoils and enjoy the theatrics of the unexpected. In the microcosm of Thoroughbred horse racing, such is amplified, as significant emphasis is placed on who embodies which role, with illuminated odds branding why they are monetarily worthy of your endorsement.

But what happens when the fan favorite and local staple is a bit of a longshot—when the defining lines of dark horse and horse-to-beat are heavily blurred, like a night of too many hand grenades in the French Quarter?

Enter Al Stall Jr.

The fledgling flush of Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots‘ 80-day meet is The Al Stall Jr. Show, and the rest of us are just extras. Within a year that has tested the tenacity of the New Orleans native, Stall (pictured on the cover with wife Nicole) has put on a clinic during the first two weeks of the Crescent City oval’s 145th racing season, winning with six of his first 11 starters—including a pair of stakes victories with Seaside Candy (Si Cima Stakes) and Yockey’s Warrior (Thanksgiving Handicap). His runners finished second three times and only worse than fourth once as the meet gets underway.

“Racing is great when things go well for you,” Stall said. “You just have to know how to deal with it when they don’t. We had a slow summer and we had little issues with horses. Seaside Candy and Yockey’s Warrior are great examples where they went through a lot of minor setbacks and we had to be patient and give them the time they needed.

“The game isn’t as difficult when they’re sound,” he added. “When you get all that behind you is when you start having your horses doing well together—and we have some more coming after the turn of the year that I really like and are exciting. Hopefully we will do well.”

The former Frankie Brothers assistant’s victories land him on top of the Fair Grounds standings, placing him two ahead of defending meet champion Mike Stidham—himself with a stellar 10-4-1-1 start through Saturday’s card—and nearly doubling that rival in purses earned. In fact, the $200,260 banked through the first six race days is already 29.3% of what his barn earned during the 2015-16 season ($683,175) and 35.5% of his 2014-15 total ($564,020). On victories, he is on pace to smash the 15 and 21 wins of the aforementioned meets. Stall could give the local heavyweight stables of Stidham, Steve Asmussen, Brad Cox, and Joe Sharp a serious run for their money, despite operating with appreciably less stock.

Such a promising commencement to what will be a long four-and-a-half-month meet is just what the candid conditioner and winner of 31 graded stakes appears to have needed. The 55-year-old father of two and only trainer to defeat the great Zenyatta saw many of his top horses go to the sidelines or sold—including Brittlyn Stable’s stakes-winning Forevamoand Klaravich Stables and William H. Lawrence’s graded stakes winner and multiple grade I-placed Paid Up Subscriber—while also parting ways with longtime client Claiborne Farm, who co-owned the team’s Breeders’ Cup Classic (gr. I) winner Blame  , in early summer.

“I have great owners and I’m very thankful for them,” said Stall, who holds an impressive 19.6% career strike rate. “They have been great with me and my program. I only had four horses with Claiborne when we parted. It wasn’t earth-shattering and we are still on good terms, but they want to focus on the east coast. I still have excellent owners like Klaravich, G M B Racing, Columbine (Stable), Dixiana (Farm), Brittlyn (Stable), and Stewart Madison, to name a few.

“I’m looking forward to getting Forevamo back,” he continued. “He was a little tired after West Virginia and we were fighting keeping weight on him, so we decided to pull the plug and let him grow up. He went to WinStar and he’s about to come back. I’m eager to see how he does because he’s a big eyeful of a horse and I think the world of him. As far as our 2-year-olds, we got a little behind on them, but my gut tells me there are some good ones in there and, of course, it’s not a bad thing to have good 2-, 3-, and 4-year-olds in your barn.”

It is also not a bad thing to have a trainer who is batting 20% on the year and whose forbearance has been beyond fruitful throughout his career. Developing everything from top juveniles like J. B.’s Thunder and Top Decile, to sprinters like Central Banker  , prime grass horses like Joyeux Danseur, and classy campaigners like Apart and Blame, the Al Stall way—whether as underdog or favorite—has often led to the winner’s circle.

“It is absolutely about listening to the horse,” Stall concluded. “You have to know when they’re not asking for a break or when they’ve had a long season and need it. It’s easy to block out something that’s going on and let your ego and adrenaline take over, but we don’t do that. You have to tell the truth, especially with nice horses—because you will get rewarded.”

Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association Will Award Scholarships at Louisiana Champions Day at The Fair Grounds Racecourse & Slots

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(New Orleans, La.) – Louisiana Champions Day will take place on Saturday, December 10, at The Fair Grounds Racecourse & Slots, New Orleans, La. The Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association will award three (3) scholarships, each valued at $1,000, during the event.

The requirements for the scholarship are as follows:

  • Must be a college student enrolled full-time for Spring 2017.
  • Must be in good standing with the college or university.
  • Must be present to win.

Registration: 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at the designated booth

Races begin: 12:30 p.m.

Drawing time: After the fifth race

The scholarship will be deposited directly into the student’s account at the college or university. The student is asked to know the name and address of the college that they are attending.

For more information, please call 1-800-772-1195 or visit louisianabred.com.

Fair Grounds Announces 2016-17 Stakes Schedule

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Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots has announced a comprehensive stakes schedule with 60 stakes worth more than $6.79 million for the 145th Thoroughbred racing season at the New Orleans oval scheduled to kick off on Saturday, Nov. 19.

The stakes schedule will mirror several past seasons with a major focus on big event days, including the meet’s centerpiece, Louisiana Derby Day, which will include eight stakes worth $2.36 million, highlighted by the 104thrunning of the Grade II $1 million Louisiana Derby on April 1. The Grade II $400,000 Fair Grounds Oaks, the Grade II $400,000 New Orleans Handicap and the Grade II $300,000 Muniz Memorial will also be run on April 1 along with four additional undercard stakes.

Leading into the Louisiana Derby, Fair Grounds will also host a pair of major stakes days designed as part of The Road to the Kentucky Derby, beginning with Road to the Derby Kickoff Day on Jan. 21. The Grade III $200,000 Lecomte Stakes will be the first race on the Fair Grounds stakes schedule to offer qualifying points for the Grade I Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands. The Grade III $125,000 Colonel E. R. Bradley Stakes and the $150,000 Silverbulletday Stakes will complement the afternoon’s action alongside three other undercard stakes.

Five weeks later on Feb. 25, the track will host Louisiana Derby Preview Day. The day’s highlight will be the Grade II $400,000 Risen Star Stakes that will offer qualifying points toward the Grade I Kentucky Derby and will also include the Grade II $200,000 Rachel Alexandra Stakes, the Grade III $125,000 Mineshaft Handicap and the Grade III $125,000 Fair Grounds Handicap.

Another mainstay on the Fair Grounds Stakes Schedule, Louisiana Champions Day, will be held for the 26th time on Dec. 10. The day will feature 11 stakes races across varying divisions restricted to Louisiana-breds worth a total of $1.1 million.

The open purse minimum climbed from $60,000 to $75,000 this season, and the first three stakes races of the season will be held on Opening Day on Nov. 19, including the $50,000 Mr. Sulu Overnight Stakes, the $50,000 Happy Ticket Overnight Stakes and the $50,000 Heitai Overnight Stakes. The newly created Si Cima Overnight Stakes will be run the following day on Nov. 20 for older fillies and mares traveling one mile and 70 yards on the main track, and all four of the Opening Weekend stakes races are designed as preps for Louisiana Champions Day.

The complete 2016-17 stakes schedule can be found at: http://www.fairgroundsracecourse.com/racing-wagering/stakes

Sunbean wins Star Guitar Stakes

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Brittlyn Stable, Inc.’s Sunbean wins the 7th running of the Star Guitar Stakes. Photo by Lou Hodges Jr./Hodges Photography

Star Guitar Stakes
March 26, 2016
One mile and one sixteenth, for 4-Year-Olds and upward, Louisiana Breds, $60,000

SUNBEAN
Brahms-X Strawdnair, by Malagra
Breeder: Brittlyn, Inc
Owner: Brittlyn Stable, Inc.
Trainer: Ron Faucheaux
Jockey: R.E. Eramia

Time: 1:44.93
Margins: 1 1/4, 3, 6 1/4

2nd: Hopeful Notion

3rd: One King’s Man

 

Classy Bird Takes First Stakes Win in Crescent City Derby

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Classy Bird wins the 44th running of the Crescent City Derby. Photo by Amanda Hodges Weir/Hodges Photography.

Crescent City Derby
March 26, 2016
One Mile and one sixteenth, for 3-Year-Olds, Louisiana Breds, $75,000

CLASSY BIRD
Birdstone-Classy Aly, by Sky Classic
Breeder: Allen Guillotte, Jr.
Owner: Norman Stables, LLC
Trainer: Lonnie Briley
Jockey: F. C. Torres

Time: 1:46.33
Margins: 1, 2, 3

2nd: Extra Credit

3rd: Ekati Warrior

 

Jockamo’s Song Takes Costa Rising Stakes Victory

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Jockamo’s Song wins the 6th running of the Costa Rising Stakes. Photo by Amanda Hodges Weir/Hodges Photography

 

Costa Rising Stakes
March 26, 2016
About 5 1/2 furlongs, turf,  for 4-Year-Olds and upwards, Louisiana Breds, $60,000

JOCKAMO’S SONG
Half Ours-Miss Clairnette, by Trophy Hunter
Breeder: Debbie Allen & David Allen
Owner: Dare To Dream Stable, LLC
Trainer: Michael Stidham
Jockey: M. Murrill

Time: 1:03.19
Margins: 1/2, 1 1/2, hd

2nd: Eden Grey’s Kitten

3rd: Brilliant Interest