LTBA Announces 2022 Accredited Louisiana Bred Champions
Category: Free Like a Girl
TOUCHUPONASTAR DOMINATES IN THE $150,000 LOUISIANA PREMIER NIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP AT DELTA DOWNS
FREE LIKE A GIRL SURPASSES $800,000 IN EARNINGS WHILE WINNING THE DISTAFF
VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs hosted its richest program of the season on Saturday evening as the 20th edition of Louisiana Premier Night took center stage. The 12-race program featured 10 stakes races and $980,000 in total purse money for Louisiana-bred horses.
The featured race on the program was the $150,000 Louisiana Premier Night Championship. The favorite, Touchuponastar did not disappoint in the race, winning easily under jockey Tim Thorton, who notched a pair of wins on the rich program.
Touchuponastar, who is owned by retired NFL quarterback Jake Delhomme’s Set Hut Stables and trained by Jeff Delhomme, was expected to set the pace in the 1 1-16-mile test for 4-year-olds and up, but an early lead was not in the cards as Brian’s Iron Mike shot to the front in the initial strides after Touchuponastar stumbled when the gates opened.
Thornton appeared to struggle with his mount early after a rough start, but he settled down and angled off the rail entering the first turn of the two-turn race. The opening quarter mile was clicked off in 23.65 seconds by Brian’s Iron Mike while Thornton guided his mount into a stalking position onto the backstretch. When the half-mile was reached in 47.47, Brian’s Iron Mike was feeling the pressure from Touchuponastar and eventually gave way to the eventual winner, who clicked off a rapid time of 1:12.89 for three quarters.
Turning for home the outcome was never in doubt, as Touchuponastar increased his lead and cruised to a final winning margin of 2-1/2 lengths over late runner Behemah Star, while recording a final time of 1:45.53. Ballinonabudjet wound up third, another three lengths behind the runner-up.
After the race, Thornton raved about Touchuponastar, whom he has ridden in all but one of his seven career starts.
“He’s a class act; does everything you ask of him,” stated the winning rider. “He stumbled out of the gate, but I was never worried.”
Touchuponastar has now won four consecutive races and five-of-seven starts overall. He banked another $90,000 for the win on Saturday and his earnings now stand at $253,100.
Bred in Louisiana by Coteau Grove Farms, Touchuponastar is a 4-year-old gelding by Star Guitar, out of the Lion Heart mare Touch Magic. He was purchased for $15,000 as yearling.
Sent off at odds of 6-5 by the fans, Touchuponastar returned $4.40 to win, $2.80 to place and $2.10 to show. Behemah Star was worth $3.20 to place and $2.60 to show. Ballinonabudjet paid $2.80 to show.
In other action on Louisiana Premier Night, Free Like a Girl won the $125,000 Distaff under jockey Pedro Cotto, Jr. for trainer Chasey Deville Pomier. The multiple graded stakes placed 4-year-old filly notched her 11thwin from 23 career starts in the race for owners Gerald Bruno, Jr., Carl J. Deville, Chasey Deville Pomier and Jerry Caroom. The $75,000 winner’s paycheck raised Free Like a Girl’s lifetime bankroll up to $829,878.
Race favorite Bron and Brow used a rail-skimming trip up jockey Rey Gutierrez to claim victory in the $100,000 Sprint. The Mark Casse trainee was well behind the leaders early in the five-furlong affair but found a seam on the inside of leader Takes Two to Tango in the stretch before drawing clear to win easily. Bron and Brow, a 4-year-old by Gormley, is owned by Gary Barber and has now won five-of-11 starts while earning $284,670.
Alpine Mist made her stakes debut a winning one in the $100,000 Starlet on Louisiana Premier Night. Under jockey Vicente Del Cid, Alpine Mist pulled the upset at odds of 11-1 for owner/breeder Melissa Cantacuzene and trainer J. Luis Garcia. Alpine Mist, a 3-year-old filly, is now a perfect three-for-three in her career and has earned $108,600.
The $100,000 Prince wasn’t without controversy this year as Allied Racing Stables’ gelding Jack Hammer made it to the wire first in the one-mile test for 3-year-olds but had to survive a jockey’s objection from C. J. McMahon, who rode runner-up Marks Promise. The objection was eventually disallowed, and the W. Bret Calhoun trainee was declared the official winner. Jack Hammer is now undefeated in his three-race career and banked $60,000 for his victory on Saturday night. His fledgling bankroll now stands at $157,755.
This year’s $100,000 Matron featured a dramatic photo finish between Snowball and Ova Charged, who hit the finished line together. After the image was examined by the placing judges, the tote board displayed a dead heat for the win.
Snowball’s effort earned her the eighth victory of her career from 47 overall starts. The 7-year-old mare has now won $470,370 for owner Tin Roof Farms, LLC and trainer Sam Breaux. Snowball was ridden to victory by jockey Vicente Del Cid.
Ova Charged, who was sent off was the heavy favorite while on a five-race winning streak, was ridden by jockey Jose Rodriguez. The Jose Camejo trainee is owned by Brittlyn Stables, Inc. Ova Charged has only suffered defeat once in her nine-race career, and that was in a graded stakes race at Belmont Park in July of 2021. Ova Charged has now earned $364,600 during her stellar career.
The biggest upset of the night came in the $60,000 Gentlemen Starter as Kevin Delahoussaye’s Freedomfi wore down pacesetter Doctor Leo in the stretch of the 1 1/16-mile event. Going off at odds of 31-1, the Glenn Delahoussaye trainee was ridden to victory by Tim Thornton. Freedomfi is now six-for-47 during his career, and he has earned $253,847.
The Mark Hibdon owned and trained D’wild Muffin took the $50,000 Bon Temps Starter under jockey Alex Birzer. The 9-year-old mare has now won six-of-16 career starts and has a bankroll of $114,704. Her local record at Delta Downs now stands at five wins and three seconds from 12 trips to the starting gate.
This year’s $60,000 LAPN Ladies Starter went to Zydeco Music under jockey Rey Gutierrez. The Shane Wilson trainee used a front-running trip to lead all the way before holding off a late challenge by A Wish for Madelyn, who made it close at the wire in the one-mile affair. Owned by Richard Anthony Tompkins, Zyedeco Music has now won 10-of-28 career starts and banked $204,440.
The final race on the card was the $50,000 Ragin Cajun Starter and it was won by Vanessa Motta’s Dixie Street under jockey Tracy Hebert for trainer Sean Alfortish. Dixie street went from last to first in the five-furlong sprint and has now won nine-of-33 career starts. He earned $30,000 for his win and now has a bankroll of $219,520.
Delta Downs has three weeks left in its 2022-23 season. The track will move to a 5:20 pm post time each Wednesday through Saturday until closing night on February 25.
For more information about racing at Delta Downs visit the track’s website at www.deltadownsracing.com. Fans can also get information about through Facebook by visiting the page ‘Delta Downs Racing’. The track’s Twitter handle is @deltaracing.
Free Like a Girl takes watered down Bob F. Wright Memorial
With Ova Charged away, Free Like a Girl will play
With the overwhelming favorite Ova Charged scratched late morning, the door was open for Gerald Bruno, Jr., Carl J. Deville, Jerry Caroom and trainer Chasey Pomier’s Free Like a Girl, and she took full advantage, taking the $75,000 Bob F. Wright Memorial for Louisiana-bred filly and mare sprinters over just two rivals.
“When we checked on her this morning, she had a fever,” trainer Jose Camejo, whose Ova Charged, easily handled Free Like a Girl in the Ladies Sprint on Champions Day. “It’s disappointing, but we have to do what’s right by the horse.”
With both Ova Charged and Snowball scratched, Free Like a Girl needed to defeat only Spirited Beauty and Winning Romance to get the win, and she did just that.
“I think she (Ova Charged) is amazing, but we were ready,” Pomier said. “This is a business. We are all competitive. I hope everything is fine with her and that she comes back good.”
Away alertly, Free Like a Girl went to the lead, but she was quickly challenged on the inside by Spirited Beauty through opening splits of :22.34 and :45.56. She put that foe away and darted away under regular rider Pedro Cotto, Jr. to win away by 2 ¾ lengths in a final time of 1:11.26 for six furlongs over a fast track. Winning Romance failed to menace and finished a distant third.
“I was trying to get her as relaxed as I could and just go from there,” Cotto, Jr. said.
Just one week ago, Free Like a Girl finished second in the open company Pago Hop around two turns. Entered as a “main track only”, she ran when the race was washed off the turn.
“We took a shot that the Pago Hop was going to come off the turf last week in case this race didn’t make it (wasn’t used) because we knew it was going to be just a few horses,” Pomier explained. “We ran her, took a shot and I was able to leave her here with Ron (trainer Faucheux). His crew did an amazing job for us all week. With the short rest, we waited until yesterday afternoon and decided to stay in.”
With the win, Free Like a Girl, who was purchased for just $5,500 as a yearling, moved into the top 20 on the all-time list Louisiana-bred earnings list with $748,128. In the process, she enhanced her record to 22-10-7-3. She paid $3.20 to win.
FREE LIKE A GIRL STAYS PERFECT AT DELTA DOWNS IN THE $100,000 MAGNOLIA STAKES
LOUISIANA-BRED SUPER FILLY NOW FOUR-FOR-FOUR AT DELTA DOWNS
VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs hosted the first stakes race of its 2022-23 Thoroughbred season on Friday night and the fans in attendance were treated to a stellar performance by Free Like a Girl, who kept her local record perfect at four-for-four with a victory in the featured $100,000 Magnolia Stakes. The 3-year-old filly was ridden to victory by Pedro Cotto, Jr.
Coming into the race off two consecutive runner-up efforts in graded stakes company, Free Like a Girl stalked the early pace in the seven-furlong test for Louisiana-bred fillies and mares set by Winning Romance, who went the opening quarter mile in 23.37 seconds. At the half-mile point Noneya took a short lead stopping the clock in 47.68, but the advantage was short lived as Free Like a Girl swept to the front while three wide.
In the homestretch Cotto gave the Chasey Pomier trainee the gentlest of reminders as she held Winning Romance at bay to win the Magnolia by 1-1/2 lengths. Snowball finished third, another six lengths behind the top pair. The final running time for the winner was 1:25.92. Each race on the program was contested over a fast track.
Free Like a Girl, who is owned by Gerald Bruno, Jr., Carl Deville, Chasey Deville Pomier and Jerry Caroom, has now won nine-of-18 career starts overall and she earned $60,000 for her Magnolia score on Friday. Her total bankroll now stands at $662,128.
Bred in Louisiana by Kim Renee Stover & Lisa Osborne, Free Like a Girl is a bay filly by El Deal, out of the Flashy Bull mare Flashy Prize.
Sent to the gate as the overwhelming favorite of the fans at odds of 1-9, Free Like a Girl paid $2.20 to win, $2.10 to place and $2.10 to show. Winning Romance returned $3.40 to place and $2.40 to show. Snowball was worth $3 to show.
Delta Downs will close out the opening week action on Saturday with another nine-race program headed by the $100,000 Gold Cup stakes for Louisiana-breds. The card kicks off at 4:55 pm.
For more information about the new season, visit the track’s website at www.deltadownsracing.com. Fans can also get information on Facebook and Twitter.
TO THE VICTORS GO THE SPOILS
2022 Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association Annual Awards Banquet Honoring the 2021 Accredited Louisiana Bred Champions and their Connections
LOUISIANA LEGENDS
by Chad Cooper
A huge crowd convened June 4 at Evangeline Downs in Opelousas for the annual Louisiana Legends Night – a night of racing that is dedicated to the best fourlegged athletes in the Pelican State, which included six states races worth more than $450,000 in purse money. Jockey Jareth Loveberry and trainer Ron Faucheux teamed up to win two trophies while others continued to strive for greatness.
FILL YOUR LOUISIANA CUP
By Chad Cooper
If you revitalize it, they will come. The once storied Louisiana Downs in Bossier City has begun to return to its glory days thanks to new co-owner and president Kevin Preston, who took over last November. The changes made in a short period of time were made prevalent with full fields during Louisiana Cup Day on Aug. 6 as six stakes races totaling more than $400,000 in purse money saw plenty of exciting action as some new and some familiar faces returned to the winner’s circle to claim a coveted cup.
Free Like A Girl Runs Second in $500,000 G3 Charles Town Oaks
2021 Louisiana Bred Champion Two-Year-Old Filly ran second in the $500,000 G3 Charles Town Oaks on Friday, August 26. The three-year-old filly from the first crop of Louisiana sire El Deal pressed the front runner through a :23.28 first quarter and :46.54 half, before Society opened up to win the 7 furlong contest.
The graded contest boosted Free Like A Girl’s earnings to $562,128 with a current record of 16-8-4-3, with all but one of her wins coming from stakes victories. All three of her 2022 wins were in Louisiana-bred stakes contests. In addition to the Charles Town Oaks, Free Like a Girl ran third in the 2022 $225,000 G3 Iowa Oaks.
Bred in Louisiana by Kim Renee Stover and Lisa Osborne, Free Like A Girl is out of a Flashy Bull mare, Flashy Prize. Her sire, El Deal stands at Red River Farms in Coushatta, Louisiana and is currently the leading second crop sire in the state.
LOUISIANA DOWNS 2023 DATES APPROVED
LOUISIANA DOWNS 2023 DATES APPROVED FOR THE LIVE QUARTER HORSE AND THOROUGHBRED RACING SEASON
The 46-Day Quarter Horse Meet Will Begin on January 5
Bossier City, LA – The 2023 Quarter Horse racing season at Louisiana Downs will commence on Thursday, January 5 and continue through Saturday, April 1. The dates for both the 46-day Quarter Horse meet and 2023 Thoroughbred live racing season were approved by the Louisiana State Racing Commission (LSRC) on August 23.
Opening day for the 84-day Thoroughbred meet will be Saturday, May 6 and will conclude on Tuesday, September 26. Live racing will take place Saturday through Tuesday.
Louisiana Downs will wrap its 2022 Thoroughbred meet on Tuesday, September 27. The final condition book is available on Equibase.
“We appreciate our horsemen for their support throughout 2022 and look forward to building on momentum for both our Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred seasons next year,” said Matt Crawford, Louisiana Downs Racing Secretary.
Wiener Dog Races Set for Monday, September 5
Louisiana Downs will celebrate Labor Day with live racing, family-friendly activities on the track apron and Wiener Dog Racing. Fans of all ages are invited to enjoy Bounce Houses, live music by our house DJ, tasty treats from area Food Trucks, and even participate in a blood drive, all beginning at 11:00 am. The Wieiner Dog competition gets underway at Noon with several preliminary heats leading up to the final. Proceeds from the races will benefit the Humane Society of Northwest Louisiana. Simulcasting from racetracks across the country including Saratoga and Delmar will be offered and seven live Louisiana Downs Thoroughbred races will begin at 3:05 pm (Central). For more information, visit ladowns.com.
Louisiana Cup Day Winners Continue to Shine
Several outstanding Thoroughbreds who won stakes here on Louisiana Cup Day, were successful last weekend at Evangeline Downs. Anna Guillot’s Bisping, who was victorious in the $67,000 Louisiana Cup Juvenile, returned to the winner’s circle the $60,000 D.S. “Shine” Young Futurity on Saturday, August 27.
The 5 ½-furlong race for Louisiana-bred 2-year-old colts and geldings highlighted the card that also recognized the top horsemen of the season.
Trained by Ricky Courville and ridden by Devin Magnon, the son of El Deal, bred in Louisiana by Red River Farm LLC and J. Adcock, won his third race in four starts. He covered five and one-half furlongs in 1:05.54 over a fast track.
“He’s a lot more advanced than the average 2-year-old,” stated Magnon. “At Louisiana Downs, he broke from the two-hole, and we had a good idea of what to expect. In the Shine, he drew right in the middle, but broke super and got clear. He’s pretty automatic and very game!”
Magnon said that Bisping will ship to Delta Downs and is likely to make a start there prior to running on Louisiana Champions Day December 10 at Fair Grounds.
On Friday, August 26, Janet is Ready overcame a troubled trip to finish second in the fillies division of the $60,000 D.S. “Shine” Young Futurity.
Free Like a Girl who was a convincing winner in the $67,000 Louisiana Filly and Mare Sprint here on August 6, ran a game second in the $500,440 Charles Town Oaks (G2) on August 26.
Bred by retired jockey Kim Renee Stover and her sister, Lisa Osborne, the daughter of Flashy Prize, sired by El Deal, had won seven of her 14 starts for owners Gerald Bruno, Jr; Carl J, Deville; Chasey Deville Pomier and Jerry Caroom. She was honored as 2021 Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association (LTBA) Champion 2-year-old filly and continues to progress through her 3-year-old campaign.
Regular rider Pedro Cotto, Jr. guided the bay filly to her runner-up finish at Charles Town, which was her third graded stakes career placing. It marked the 16th career start for Free Like a Girl, who has a record of 8 wins, four seconds, three thirds and earnings of $562,128.
Jes An Angel Leads Qualifiers to the $3-Million All American Futurity (G1)
Lance Moore’s Jes an Angel will compete in the prestigious All American Futurity (G1) at Ruidoso Downs on Labor Day. The filly by Jess Zoomin, bred in Texas by Jerry Windham, broke her maiden at Louisiana Downs in trials for the $324,288 Louisiana Downs Futurity (G2). She finished ninth in the final, but was victorious the Old South Futurity at Delta Downs on May 21 before shipping to New Mexico. Her 440-yard trial win in :21.257 seconds on August 19 was the fastest clocking in the 32 heats contested over two days.
The durable filly drew post position eight for Monday’s final and will be ridden by Bryan Candanosa, who is one of the top young Quarter Horse riders in the country.
Very exciting that she made her debut at Louisiana Downs!
Annual Charity Golf Tournament Moved to Thursday, September 15
Louisiana Downs will host its annual Charity Golf Tournament at Northwood Hills Golf Club in Shreveport, Louisiana on Thursday, September 15. The event supports the Winner’s Circle Church and Chaplain Jimmy Sistrunk to assist the Louisiana Downs racing community and backstretch workers.
Sign in for the event’s Four Person Scramble kicks off at 10:00 a.m. with tee off at 10:30 a.m. The fee is $80 per person or $320 for a four-person team. The fee includes green fees, golf cart, lunch, and t-shirt/cap. Trophies will be presented to the first, second and third-place teams.
The deadline to enter is Wednesday, September 8. Attendees can register in person in the Louisiana Downs Racing office, or by mail. Checks should be payable to The Winner’s Circle Church and mailed to: Jennifer Sokol, Louisiana Downs, 8000 East Texas Street, Bossier City, Louisiana, 71111. For further information, please contact Jennifer Sokol at (318) 741-2512 or (318) 573-5830.
Trainer and Jockey Standings Through August 30
Last year’s leading conditioner Shane Wilson remains the leader in the trainer standings with 41wins since the meet began on May 7. Joey Foster follows in second place with 30 winners and Greg Tracy is third with 27 wins. Karl Broberg rounds out the top four with 24 victories.
Carlos Lozada, who was honored as leading jockey here in 2021 continues to have a very successful meet and leads his fellow riders with 73trips to the winner’s circle. Jose Guerrero is second with 67 wins followed by Joel Dominguez has ridden 37 winners. Alexander Castillofollows with 36 victories and Vicente Del Cid, who won the 2022 Evangeline Downs leading rider title, is next with 35 winners.
About Louisiana Downs
Located near Shreveport in Bossier City, Louisiana, Louisiana Downs opened in 1974 and is now owned by Rubico Acquisition Corporation. With annual Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing seasons, the track is committed to presenting the highest quality racing programs paired with its 150,000 square foot entertainment complex offering casino gambling, dining and plasma screen televisions for sports and simulcast racing.
THRILLING FINISHES FOR EACH OF THE LOUISIANA CUP DAY STAKES AT LOUISIANA DOWNS
Trainer Chasey Deville Pomier Wins Two of the Six Features
Bossier City, LA – It was another outstanding edition of Louisiana Cup Day on Saturday, August 6 at Louisiana Downs. The quality of the Louisiana Thoroughbred breeding industry shone brightly in each of the six stakes on the program.
Despite temperatures in the high 90’s, tremendous performances were noted throughout the afternoon with glory to several experienced runners as well as the younger horses testing stakes level competition! Here is a recap of the six Louisiana Cup stakes.
Bisping Triumphs in the $67,000 Louisiana Cup Juvenile
Stakes action got underway in the second race with the running of the $67,000 Louisiana Cup Juvenile for Louisiana-bred 2-year-old colts and geldings. A field of eight competed at five and one-half furlongs on the main track.
The winner was Anna Guillot’s Bisping, a son of El Deal, bred by Adcock’s Red River Farm LLC & J. Adcock. He reunited with jockey Devin Magnon this afternoon, who guided him from his inside post, taking command at the 3/8thpole and drawing clear. He prevailed by a margin of 3 ¾ lengths over Ranch Water in a final time of 1.05.90.
“Before he ever ran, I knew he was special,” said Magnon. “We have a bond, and he does everything you ask of him very professionally.”
Trained by Ricky Courville, the dark bay gelding broke his maiden on May 19 at Evangeline Downs prior to running sixth in the $150,000 Tremont Stakes at Belmont Park.
“I had a race in him and took a shot,” said Courville. “We faced big horses in New York.”
World War IV Racing’s Ranch Water ran second for trainer Allen Landry followed by Norman Racing Stables LLC’s Easy Chance. Post time favorite King’s Lute completed the superfecta for owner Claiming Cajuns LLC.
Sent off as the second choice in the wagering, Bisping paid $9.60 for the win, which was his second in three starts. With today’s winner’s share of $40,200, his earnings stand at $58,050. Courville said that Bisping will be pointed to the D.S. “Shine” Young Futurity at Evangeline Downs.
Cheapskate Diva Thrills Her Connections in the $67,000 Louisiana Cup Distaff
The first turf stakes of the card, the $67,000 Louisiana Cup Distaff, drew nine fillies and mares who traveled a mile and one-sixteenth over the firm Franks Turf Course.
Cheapskate Diva was in fine form as she made her stakes debut for breeder/owner Keith Plaisance The 4-year-old filly by Animal Kingdom last ran here on July 3, drawing off in a $25,000 turf allowance by 10 lengths under Carlos Marquez. Confidently handled today, she was forwardly placed through early fractions of :23.77 and 48.39 before taking the lead at the top of the stretch and drawing clear by 1 ½ lengths. The final time, over the firm turf course was 1.41.92.
This was the first stakes win for the filly and her trainer Joseph “Bobby” Felks.
“I give all the credit to Bobby,” said Marquez. “She used to be more hyper, but Bobby has worked with her, and she did it easy for me today.”
Plaisance also praised Felks in the post-race interview.
“It was his idea to enter her in this,” said Plaisance. “Bobby felt she deserved a shot and to win over tough mares like Net a Bear and Fort Polk was amazing. My hat’s off to Bobby!”
Fort Polk, a 6-year-old daughter of Behindatthebar, trained by Pat Mouton for owners Steve and Pat Roe completed the exacta. She won her last two turf races at Louisiana Downs, with a total of nine victories in 35 starts. Juan Vargas had the call. Alliaceous closed for third under rider Vicente Del-Cid and longshot Eve’s Delight rounded out the top four.
Defending champion Net a Bear finished seventh and trainer Allen Landry felt the heat might have taken its toll on his multiple-stakes winner.
“She was sweating when we hauled in this morning,” said Landry. “We will give her some time off and see how she does.”
Cheapskate Diva has now won four of her ten efforts with earnings of $101,740. Her connections were undecided on her next start.
Free Like a Girl Sensational in the $67,000 Louisiana Cup Filly and Mare Sprint
The $67,000 Louisiana Filly and Mare Sprint showcased a field of 11 exceptional Louisiana-bred fillies and mares going six furlongs on the fast main track.
Free Like a Girl returned to Louisiana Downs on Cup Day as the 3-1 morning-line favorite in the six-furlong sprint.Bred by retired jockey Kim Renee Stover and her sister, Lisa Osborne, the daughter of Flashy Prize, sired by El Deal, had won seven of her 14 starts for owners Gerald Bruno, Jr; Carl J, Deville; Chasey Deville Pomier and Jerry Caroom. She was honored as 2021 Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association (LTBA) Champion 2-year-old filly and continues to progress through her 3-year-old campaign.
She was back in state bred company today following starts in the Grade 3, $300,000 Honeybee at Oaklawn Park February 26 against the much heralded Secret Oath and her most recent race, a credible third in the $225,000 Iowa Oaks (G3) on July 9 at Prairie Meadows.
Quite simply, today she was exceptional! Jockey Pedro Cotto, Jr. was content to let her break from her far inside post, track the front-running Drop Dead Sexy, and confidently circle the field. She drew clear at the eighth pole and crossed the wire by a margin of 6 ½ lengths in 1.10.69.
“She likes being on the outside and having something to run at,” explained Pomier. “We were facing older horses and were not sure how it would pan out, but she’s shown time and time again how much she loves her job!”
The connections remain loyal to Cotto, who has piloted Free Like a Girl in each of her Louisiana races.
“He rode for my dad when I was a kid and worked this filly as a baby,” Pomier added. “Pedro fits her and tells us that all he ever wants is to ride our filly!”
Drop Dead Sexy held on for second for current leading trainer Shane Wilson and
2021 Louisiana Cup Filly and Mare Sprint champion, Snowball completed the trifecta, followed by Spirited Beauty and Canada’s Customs.
Free Like a Girl ($4.20) has now won eight of her fifteen career starts, boosting her earnings to $464,073.
City Park Springs the Upset in the $67,000 Louisiana Cup Turf Classic
The $67,000 Louisiana Turf Cup Classic attracted eleven runners going a mile and one-sixteenth over the Franks Turf Course.
City Park, a 5-year-old son of Temple City, bred by Warren Harang, returned to the winner’s circle for the first time in 2022, under very confident handling by rider Joel Dominguez. Breaking from the rail, he was eighth after the half-mile, before advancing four-wide and drawing clear in 1:40.79 over the firm turf course.
Owned by MAT Investments, LLC, City Park exited a seventh-place finish in the John Henry at Evangeline Downs last month.
“You can always make it happen when you are on the right horse and I had the right horse today,” said Dominguez. “The race set up well. I knew if they went fast up front, he would come running and that’s what happened.”
Charlie G rallied for second under rider Joe Stokes, followed by Big Chopper and Jaci’s Royalty. Defending champion Carlea’s Dream, sent off as the favorite, ran fifth under Iram Diego.
City Park was bet down from his 12-1 morning line and rewarded his backers with a $12.80 win payout. Trained by Eduardo Ramirez, this was the first stakes victory for the bay gelding who has won six of his career efforts, increasing his earning to $210,484 this afternoon.
Janet is Ready Lived up to her Name in the $67,000 Louisiana Cup Juvenile Fillies
Nine accredited 2-year-old Louisiana-bred fillies competed in one of the best fields ever for the $67,000 Louisiana Cup Juvenile Fillies. Several first-time winners faced off in the five and one-half main track sprint.
Saddling her second winner on the Cup Day card was Chasey Deville Pomier as Janet is Ready notched the win in gate-to-wire fashion under rider Vicente Del-Cid. This was the third victory for the daughter of Custom for Carlos, who made her debut on May 13 in a $98,000 maiden special weight at Churchill Downs. After running second in Kentucky, she broke her maiden at Evangeline Downs and won the $100,000 Prairie Gold Lassie on July 8 in Iowa, at odds of 21-1.
She drifted out as she approached the wire today, but still prevailed by one-length in 1:05.65, over Guitar Woman, Lady Flurry, the heavy post time favorite and Nodah.
Owner Gerry Bruno was on hand for the race and talked about the team behind the filly, who was bred by Bentley T. Early.
“We bought her at the LTBA Yearling Sale ($5,500),” said Bruno. “She was impressive today, despite drifting at the end! No one knows that I was Carl Deville’s assistant at Monmouth Park when Chasey was seven, so we’ve been around for a long time ”
Flurry Racing Stable LLC’s homebred Lady Flurry turned heads at Louisiana Downs with a riveting nine-length maiden score on June 20. Owner Staton Flurry, who won the 201- Super Derby (on turf) with Mr Misunderstood, bred the daughter of Lord Nelson out of the Storm and a Half mare Patchofbadweather.
Janet Is Ready ($13.20) has now won $121,100 and may be pointed to the D.S. “Shine” Young Futurity Filly Division at Evangeline Downs.
Front-Running Score by Takes Two to Tango in the $67,000 Louisiana Cup Sprint
The $67,000 Louisiana Turf Cup Sprint closed out the Louisiana Cup Day card with eleven talented Louisiana-breds traveling six furlongs on the main track.
Takes Two to Tango, a 6-year-old son of Half Ours, added his sixth career victory for breeder/owner Melissa Cantacuzene. Jockey Luis Quinonez guided the bay gelding to the wire in 1:10.89 in front-running fashion over the fast track. He spoke about his improvement following his third-place finish in the Louisiana Legends Sprint at Evangeline Downs.
“He broke very well today,” said Quinonez. “Was very alert and when I called on him, he finished well. I thank the owner for this opportunity.”
Trained by J. Luis Garcia, Takes Two to Tango, has won five of his seven outs at Louisiana Downs.
“He never holds back,” said Cantacuzene. “He always gives 100%.”
Black Sword ran second under Vicente Del-Cid, followed by Brian’s Iron Mike and Creole Charlie.
Takes Two to Tango broke his maiden at first asking here on May 6, 2019 and has increased his career bankroll to $164,190 in 16 starts.
Equibase Chart: https://www.equibase.com/static/chart/pdf/LAD080622USA.pdf
Photos courtesy Hodges Photography
Louisiana Downs Thoroughbred Meet Continues Through September 27
Live racing at Louisiana Downs continues Sunday, August 7 with Thoroughbred action each Saturday, Sunday, Mondayand Tuesday through September 27. For further information on upcoming events, visit ladowns.com.
About Louisiana Downs
Located near Shreveport in Bossier City, Louisiana, Louisiana Downs opened in 1974 and is now owned by Rubico Acquisition Corporation. With annual Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing seasons, the track is committed to presenting the highest quality racing programs paired with its 150,000 square foot entertainment complex offering casino gambling, dining and plasma screen televisions for sports and simulcast racing.
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