RICKY COURVILLE TRAINEE PICKS UP SECOND STAKES VICTORY
Bisping earns 2nd stakes victory in the 2022 Colt and Gelding Division of the D.S. Shine Young Futurity at Evangeline Downs. Coady Photography.
OPELOUSAS, LA – The curtain closed on the 2022 Thoroughbred season at Evangeline Downs with a sharp performance from Anna Guillot’s Bisping in the D.S. “Shine” Young Futurity. The stakes for Louisiana-bred colts and geldings highlighted the card that also recognized the top horsemen of the season.
Breaking smoothly from the center of the starting gate, jockey Devin Magnon and Bisping were out quickly and joined Easy Chance in a battle for the lead down the backstretch. The Boss Soss, Kajun Karma and Ranch Water were all in the early mix as the leaders traveled the opening quarter-mile in 22.18 seconds. As the field moved through the far turn, Bisping assumed command and opened up a one-length lead. The Boss Soss, Kajun Karma and Ranch Water were all giving chase as the field moved to the top of the stretch.
Past the half-mile split in 45.89 seconds, the Ricky Courville trainee was increasing the lead to 3-1/2 lengths with The Boss Soss giving chase, as Kajun Karma and Ranch Water were battling for minor awards. Inside the final 100 yards Bisping had to dig deep as The Boss Soss made a final lunge at the leader. The winning margin was ¾-lengths, with another 3-1/4 lengths back to Kajun Karma in third and a neck to Ranch Water in fourth. The winner stopped the timer in 1:05.54 for 5-1/2 furlongs over a fast track.
The win by Bisping was the second consecutive stakes victory and is the third win from four career starts. The $36,000 winner’s share increased his lifetime bankroll to $94,050.
Bred in Louisiana by the partnership of Adcock’s Red River Farm, LLC & J. Adcock, Bisping is a 2-year-old colt by El Deal, out of the More Than Ready mare Delta Sierra.
Sent off as the solid 3/5 favorite, Bisping returned $3.20 to win, $2.40 to place and $2.40 to show. Longshots followed with 40-1 outsider The Boss Soss paying $18 to place and $14.40 to show, with 45-1 Kajun Karma worth $15.20 to show.
Leading horsemen for the 2022 season were honored between races with winner’s circle presentations. Apprentice Vicente Del Cid captured his first career riding title with an impressive 124 wins on the season. Karl Broberg (assisted by Darwin Quevedo) led the trainer standings with 44 wins. The leading owner title went to End Zone Athletics Inc. (Karl Broberg and Matt Johanson) with 37 wins over the 84-day season.
Evangeline Downs kicks off the 2022 American Quarter Horse season on Wednesday, October 5. The highlight of the season will take place on December 17 when the track hosts the Louisiana Million Futurity for 2-year-olds. First post time each Wednesday through Saturday night during the season will be at 5:35pm.
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.
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.
How High Can He Fly? Bron and Brow Shows Offensive Power Breaking His Maiden Against Stakes Company
Bron And Brow with Adam Beschizza aboard wins the 58th running of the Louisiana Futurity – Colts and Gelding Division at Fair Grounds. Hodges Photography / Lou Hodges, Jr.
Charco leads The Louisiana Futurity early, but proves 2nd best
New Orleans (December 31, 2021) – On the last day of his 2-year old campaign, Bron and Brow proves he has the makings of a horse on the rise. Twenty days after assistant trainer David Carroll said “He won’t be a maiden for long,” Gary Barber’s colt’s maiden win comes against stakes company in the $107,000 Louisiana Futurity over 6 furlongs on the dirt.
Second favorite 2.30-1 Charco was sent to the lead by jockey James Graham and he blitzed the opening fractions in 22.09 and 45.59 before tightly-pressing .90-1 favorite Bron and Brow drove by hitting the top of the paint in 57.77 and kept on for the score while drifting out to beat the buzzer in 1:10.85. Third favorite 2.50-1 Big Scully ran third throughout but never threatened, finishing 9 ¼ lengths back.
“He broke out a little right to be fair,” winning jockey Adam Beschizza said. “This horse is super talented and I know David [Carroll] and Mark [Casse] have believed in him since day one. We just had to overcome a little adversity there with the inquiry. He’s got a lot to learn, but he seemed to come out of that race very unexhausted so that just tells me he has a lot left in the locker there.”
Bred in Louisiana by J. Addock & Hume Wornall, after taking three shots Bron and Brow is 3-1-1-1 earning $91,820. After a third in November at Del Mar, this colt by Gormley was transferred from Peter Miller’s barn to the care of Mark Casse. Bron and Brow finished a troubled trip ½ length 2nd in the Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile Sprint. Like his namesakes, LA Lakers power-duo Lebron James and Anthony Davis, Bron and Brow has loads of talent–unlike them, he is still proving green in his races. After breaking out from the gate and bumping his neighbor, the stewards called for an inquiry, which was not acted on. Passing Charco and finishing in the stretch, he ran erratically in the stretch.
“We got the win in the end, ” assistant trainer David Carroll said. “A little worrisome there but he’s a very talented colt. I’m very happy for Mr. Barber, a great way to end the year. This horse has got a lot of talent–very unlucky in his last race when he got the bad trip but he went very fast as well. Today was a much different race. Adam rode a great race, very aware of the horse he rode last time for Mr. Asmussen [Charco] and he kept him on his target.”
Again, similar to his namesakes: he’s won his first, but can he hang another stakes banner?
“We feel there is more to come from this horse,” Carroll said. “Mark [Casse] and Mr. Barber will talk about two turns, but there is a race early next month if they wish to take advantage of it, going a mile, so maybe that will be his next race, but that’s something they will talk about–we’ll enjoy this race for now.”
The connections believe Bron and Brow can fly higher as he turns the page to his 3-year-old campaign. – Kilroy
Girls Futurity Winner Home “Free” Down the Stretch
Free Like A Girl with Chasey Deville Ponier aboard wins the 55th running of the Louisiana Futurity – Filly Division at Fair Grounds. Hodges Photography / Jan Brubaker
Free Like a Girl wins her fourth stake of the season in runaway fashion
Making amends for her narrow defeat as the favorite in the Louisiana Lassie on Champions Day, Gerald Bruno, Jr., Carl Deville and Chasey Pomier’s (trainer) Free Like a Girl left no doubt as to who was best in the $109,600 Louisiana Futurity for the 2-year-old fillies.
Away alertly as the 1.30-1 favorite, the daughter of El Deal stalked the early pace of Serape (11.70-1) though fractions of 22.33 and 46.29. Cut loose by regular rider Pedro Cotto, Jr. at the top of the stretch, she quickly took command, extending her margin of victory to 6 ¼ lengths under the wire in a final time of 1:11.11 for six furlongs. Wholelottamo (14.20-1) outkicked Serape for the place spot. Half Page was scratched at the gate.
“We stuck with the plan to get her close to the pace,” Cotto, Jr. said. “When I got a chance, I put her in the clear, and she just did her thing today. I don’t think she’s even as good as she can get right now. That’s one thing that has impressed me about her. I think she’s just going to get better when she gets older.”
Sent off as the 2-1 favorite on Champions Day, Free Like a Girl was stuck in tight between horses while stalking from mid-pack. She fought on gamely to the wire, only to get swooped by a deep closing 93-1 longshot in Buckley Bunny late. On Friday, she left no doubt who was best in front of her many supporters.
“We are very grateful to have her,” trainer Chasey Deville Pomier said. “She’s been amazing for us. The breeders, all of the connections. We’ve had a great year with her for sure. My dad owns a part, my daughter is in on it, me, the other owner used to be dad’s assistant when I was young, we’ve known the breeders for a while, so yeah, it’s just a whole big ‘ole thing.”
The winner of the D. S. Shine Young Futurity at Evangeline and the Louisiana Jewel and the open company My Trusty Cat at Delta Downs in advance of the Lassie, Free Like a Girl has now won five times from 10 starts since debuting on May 8 at Lone Star. Bred by Kim Renee Stover & Lisa Osborne and purchased for just $5,500 as a yearling, she has now banked $281,473. She’s run a lot and accomplished quite a bit in less than eight months, but shows no signs of slowing down.
“Every day she trains great, we go day-to-day with her, as long as she’s training good, we keep going,” Pomier said. – Kristufek
GI Belmont S.-winning conditioner Brad Cox grabbed one more stakes win for the road Sunday as unbeaten Australasia rallied past rivals to earn a first black-type victory out of Louisiana-bred company. An 8 1/4-length MSW winner at Fair Grounds last November, the dark bay reeled off a pair of dominant stakes scores at Delta Downs before annexing the two-turn Crescent City Oaks back in NOLA Mar. 20. She picked up another big check when shortening up for a GI Kentucky Oaks day allowance at Churchill Apr. 30, but was facing four talented foes who each owned a recent figure edge over her.
Australasia caboosed the field early after a brief delay when favorite Miss Brazil broke through the gate. Bella Sofia clicked off splits of :22.55 and :45.68 and the chalk challenged that one in upper stretch as Australasia still had work to do out wide. It still looked like it’d be one of those two to midstretch, but Australasia soon caught the eye and came flying with a well-timed ride to score by a widening margin.
Australasia captures the 2021 Louisiana Jewel at Delta Downs
AUSTRALASIA
Sky Kingdom–Ayala Strand
Breeder: J. Adcock & Hume Wornall
Owner: Jean Etienne Dubois
Trainer: Brad H. Cox
Jockey: Diego Saenz
2nd Inawic
Wicked Strong–Inaword
Breeder: Gulf Haven Farm, LLC
Owner: Gulf Haven Farms
Trainer: Ronnie P. Ward
Jockey: Joel Dominguez
3rd Tecate Time
Karakontie (JPN)–Urge to Splurge
Breeder: Carrol J. Castille
Owner: Whispering Oaks Farm LLC
Trainer: Steven B. Flint
Jockey: Gerard Melancon
VINTON, LA. – In the first of two stakes hosted by Delta Downs Tuesday afternoon, Jean Etinne Dubois’s Australasia won the $75,000 Louisiana Jewel.
Australasia captures the 2021 Louisiana Jewel at Delta Downs
The win by Australasia came in smashing style as the Brad Cox trainee pressed the early pace set by Taylor Avenue and others before taking off in the lane under jockey Diego Saenz and winning by a widening six lengths.
The pace of the race was solid as Taylor Avenue, Inawic and Non Binding all vied for the early lead while covering the opening quarter mile in 23.49 seconds and the half in 48.52. As the field entered the second turn of the race, Australasia took command and never looked back, recording the easy win. Inawic stayed on for second while Tecate Time rallied for third, another 3 ¼-lengths behind the runner up.
Australasia covered the 7-1/2 furlongs of the Louisiana Jewel in a time of 1:34.35 while racing over a fast track.
Now undefeated in two lifetime starts, Australasia has a bankroll of $73,200 after earning $45,000 for her effort in the first stakes race of her career. She broke her maiden at first asking on November 26 at Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans.
Australasia is a 3-year-old dark bay or brown filly by Sky Kingdom, out of the Tiznow mare Ayala Strand. She was bred in Louisiana by J. Adcock & Hume Wornall.
Sent to the gate as the odds-on favorite at odds of 2-5, Australasia paid $2.80 to win, $2.20 to place and $2.10 to show. Inawic was worth $10.20 to place and $7 to show. Tecate Time returned $3.60 to show.
Crescent City Derby
Fair Grounds, 3-21-20, 1 mile and 1 sixteenth
Three-Year-Olds, Accredited Louisiana Bred, $75,000
Sydster with jockey Florent Geroux aboard goes wire to wire to win the 48th running of the Crescent City Derby at Fair Grounds. Hodges Photography / Lou Hodges, Jr.
SYDSTER
Power Broker–Tensas Salt
Breeder: J. Adcock & Montgomery Equine Center
Owner: Baronne Farms, LLC
Trainer: Edward J. Johnston
Jockey: Florent Geroux
2nd Jax Man
Goldencents–Blondie Lox
Breeder: Earl Hernandez & Keith Hernandez
Owner: E. Hernandez, K. Hernandez and J. Duvieilh
Trainer: Sam B. David
Jockey: James Graham
3rd Luckenbacher
Mr. Besilu–Cat’s Production
Breeder: John A Adams
Owner: John A Adams
Trainer: Beverly Burress
Jockey: Corey J. Lanerie
Baronne Farms’ Sydster made the most of every inch he was given in his stakes debut as the son of Power Broker had things all his own his way en route to the victory in the $75,000 Crescent City Derby for Louisiana breds.
The Crescent City Derby was the first of eight stakes on Fair Grounds’ signature $1 million Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) lineup. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the track has been holding races without spectators and allowing only essential personnel on the grounds.
Sent off as 3-2 second choice in the field of eight, Sydster caused some drama before he ever got running when he became fractious in the gate, causing jockey Florent Geroux to temporarily dismount. Once settled and sprung free from post 1, the chestnut gelding was nothing short of professional as he shot to the front and loped along through fractions of :25.05 and :49.36 with 60-1 longshot Luckenbacher tracking him in second.
As Geroux set Sydster down for the stretch run, 4-5 race favorite Langs Day tipped out from his spot along the inside and tried to threaten. Those soft early fractions left Sydster with plenty in reserve, however, to hold off a late surge from Jax Man to the outside and prevail by 1 1/2 lengths in his fifth career start.
Jax Man was 1 ¼-lengths in front of third-place finisher Luckenbacher. City Park was fourth with Langs Day fading to fifth to suffer his first career loss. The final time for the 1 1/16-miles was 1:45.59 over a track rated fast.
Trained by Edward Johnston, Sydster came into the Crescent City Derby off a second-place run in an allowance race at Fair Grounds on Feb. 17. All five of his starts have come over the New Orleans oval and he improved his record to three wins and one runner-up finish with $104,800 in earnings.
Sydster was bred by J. Adcock and Montgomery Equine Center out of the Salt Lake mare Tensas Salt.
Spring Fever Stakes
Oaklawn Park, 2-29-20, 5.5 furlongs
Four-Year-Olds and Upwards, Fillies and Mares, $125,000
Midnight Fantasy wins Spring Fever Stakes at Oaklawn Park. Coady Photography
MIDNIGHT FANTASY
Midnight Lute-St. Jean
Breeder: J. Adcock & Hume Wornall
Owner: Carl R. Moore Management LLC
Trainer: Joe Sharp
Jockey: Martin Garcia
2nd Amy’s Challenge
Artie Schiller-Jump Up
Breeder: Sierra Farm (KY)
Owner: Novogratz Racing Stable Inc.
Trainer: McLean Robertson
Jockey: Alex L. Canchari
3rd What A Fox
Bernardini-Twisted Tale
Breeder: Gary & Mary West Stables Inc (KY)
Owner: Lawrence P. Roman
Trainer: Robertino Diodoro
Jockey: Orlando Mojica
Carl R. Moore Management LLC’s Midnight Fantasy gained the lead at the top of the stretch and had just enough left to hold off defending champion Amy’s Challenge by a neck in Saturday’s $125,000 Spring Fever Stakes before a crowd of 20,000.
Ridden by Martin Garcia, Midnight Fantasy settled behind the early leaders in fourth as Mt. Brave held a narrow advantage through opening fractions of :21.43 and :45.10 for the first half mile. The winner began to make her move rounding the turn for home and was well clear of the field until Amy’s Challenge rallied late. She completed the 5 ½ furlongs in 1:03.61 over a fast track.
“She was doing really good,” Garcia said. “That was exactly where I wanted to be. I was able to stay on the outside and when I asked her to go, she just took off. It was really nice.”
What a Fox finished third and was followed by Mt. Brave, Artistic Diva and 4-5 favorite Break Even.
The victory was the second of the day for owner Carl Moore and trainer Joe Sharp and third for jockey Martin Garcia.
When asked if he expected to win two races Saturday, Moore replied, “No. I was just hoping to hit the board twice. It was a tough race. I mean that race right there, she beat some good horses. She ran huge. Joe (Sharp) and I, we talked about it (Spring Fever) and we saw it up here. The distance – she likes 5 1/2 (furlongs). I think she’ll stretch out and go farther, too. We’re trying to decide. She’s doing so good short.”
Midnight Fantasy, a 4-year-old Midnight Lute filly, improved her record to 5-3-0 in 12 career starts and has now earned $327,180. She returned $19.40, $6.60 and $3.80 at odds of 8-1.
Live racing resumes Sunday with a 1:30 p.m. first post.
Louisiana Champions Day Classic
Fair Grounds, 12-14-19, 1 mile and 1/8
Three Year Olds and Upwards, Accredited Louisiana Bred, $150,000
Pound For Pound, with Aubrie Green aboard, wins the 29th running of the Louisiana Champions Day Classic at Fair Grounds. Hodges Photography / Amanda Hodges Weir
POUND FOR POUND
Redding Colliery–Buttercup’s Song
Breeder: J. Adcock & B&B Bloodstock
Owner: Israel Flores Horses LLC
Trainer: Andrea Ancil Ali
Jockey: Aubrie Green
2nd Trevilion
Lone Star Special–Spotsylvania
Breeder: Tigertail Ranch
Owner: Tigertail Ranch
Trainer: Victor Arceneaux
Jockey: Diego Saenz
3rd Underpressure
Birdstone–Charming Colleen
Breeder: James McIngvale
Owner: Mallory Greiner
Trainer: Chris Richard
Jockey: Corey J. Lanerie
Monte Man wins the 2018 Louisiana Legends Sprint. Coady Photography.
On Sunday afternoon, Louisiana horsemen and women gathered at the Equine Sales facility in Opelousas to honor the 2018 Accredited Louisiana Bred Champions and their connections at the Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet.
While the majority of the award winners had been announced previously, the overall horse of the year was named at the banquet. Voted on by the LTBA Board of Directors, this year’s Louisiana Bred Horse of the Year is Monte Man.
LTBA President Warren Harang (center) presents the trophy for 2018 Louisiana Horse of the Year, Monte Man, to Breeder, Val Murrell (left), and trainer, Ron Faucheux.
Monte Man won six of seven starts in 2018, including five stakes wins. He won the Louisiana Premier Night Sprint at Delta Downs in February, the Costa Rising Stakes at Fair Groundsin March, the Louisiana Legends Night Sprint at Evangeline Downs in May, the Louisiana Cup Sprint at Louisiana Downs in August and the Heitai Stakes at Fair Grounds in November. In his final start of the year Monte Man ran third in the Louisiana Champions Day Sprint. Total 2018 earnings for the son of Custom For Carlos out of Sarah’s My Angeladded up to $257,690. Monte Man , who also received the award for Older Louisiana Bred Male was bred by Val C. Murrell, is owned by Ivery Sisters Racing and trained by Ron Faucheux.
Before the presentations, Lori Johnson of The Jockey Club delivered a very informative presentation on the new paperless registration process. There were many questions about the new process, and LTBA members were quite grateful for Lori’s knowledge of the topic at hand.
Following is a complete list of the Award Recipients and their connections:
Louisiana 2018 Horse of the Year Monte Man Sire: Custom For Carlos
Dam: Sarah’s My Angel
Breeder: Val C. Murrell
Owner: Ivery Sisters Racing
Trainer: Ron Faucheux
2018 Accredited Louisiana Bred Two-Year-Old Filly Midnight Fantasy Sire: Midnight Lute
Dam: St. Jean
Breeder: J. Adcock & Hume Wornall
Owner: Carl R. Moore Management LLC
Trainer: Joe Sharp
2018 Accredited Louisiana Bred Two-Year-Old Colt Classy John Sire: Songandaprayer
Dam: Kitty’s Got Class
Breeder: Tom Curtis & Wayne Simpson
Owner: Valene Farms LLC
Trainer: Dallas Stewart
2018 Accredited Louisiana Bred Three-Year-Old Filly Testing One Two Sire: Star Guitar
Dam: Yes Sir
Breeder: Brittlyn, Inc.
Owner: Brittlyn Stable, Inc.
Trainer: Victor Arceneaux
2018 Accredited Louisiana Bred Three-Year-Old Colt or Gelding Givemeaminit Sire: Star Guitar
Dam: Powerful Nation
Breeder: Clear Creek Stud Owner: Valene Farms
Trainer: Dallas Stewart
2018 Accredited Louisiana Bred Four-Year-Old and up Fillies & Mares Ours To Run Sire: Half Ours
Dam: Brown Eyed Baby
Breeder: Clifford Grum
Owner: Colonel Thoroughbred LLC
Trainer: Larry Jones
2018 Accredited Louisiana Bred Four-Year-Old and up Male Monte Man Sire: Custom For Carlos Dam: Sarah’s My Angel
Breeder: Val C. Murrell
Owner: Ivery Sisters Racing
Trainer: Ron Faucheux
2018 Louisiana Broodmare of the Year Street Beat Dixie Brass – Mary Eby
Owner: William D. (Joe) Pickett
2018 Andrew L. “Red” Erwin Stallion of the Year Star Guitar Quiet American – Minit Towinit
Owner: Brittlyn Stable (Evelyn & Maurice Benoit)
2018 Louisiana Leading Breeder by Breeders Awards J. Adcock (Red River Farm LLC)
2018 Louisiana Leading Breeder by Percentage of Stakes Winners James McIngvale
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