Category: Lora Pitre
NET A BEAR RALLIES IN FINAL YARDS TO WIN THE $60,000 OPELOUSAS STAKES
ALLEN LANDRY TRAINEE PICKS UP SECOND STAKES VICTORY OF THE SEASON
OPELOUSAS, LA –Racegoers enjoying the Family Night activities at Evangeline Downs witnessed Net a Bear pick up another stakes victory in the $60,000 Opelousas Stakes on Friday night. The Allen Landry trainee was a winner of the Louisiana Legends Turf Distaff in her most recent start. The one-mile race for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up, originally scheduled for the turf, was contested over a main track rendered sloppy by persistent afternoon rains.
Lady Valentine was away sharpest from her inside post and set out to an early lead, with Splenda Gail and favored Quin Ella in close pursuit. Net a Bear and jockey Tim Thornton were away in good order and settled into stride towards the back of the field of seven runners. Lady Valentine was allowed to set comfortable fractions of an opening quarter-mile in 24.07 and a half-mile in 47.81. Moving into the far turn Quinn Ella edged forward past Splenda Gail to put some pressure on Lady Valentine, while Net a Bear was steadily gaining on the leaders while saving ground with an inside trip.
Through six furlongs in 1:12.92, Quinn Ella moved to the lead at the top of the lane outside of Lady Valentine. Net a Bear was angled out from the rail to the middle of the track to commence her stretch winning drive. In the final sixteenth of a mile, Lady Valentine had battled back to retake the lead from Quinn Ella but was not able to hold off Net a Bear in the final yards. Net a Bear’s winning margin was a neck over Lady Valentine, with Quinn Ella another 1-1/2 lengths back in third. The running time for the mile was 1:39.52.
Owned by Maximo Lamarche and Federico Deltoro, Net a Bear earned $36,000 for the victory. The win is the 13th from 35 career starts and increased her lifetime earnings to $651,970.
The 6-year-old mare was bred in Louisiana by Lora Pitre and Elaine Carroll. Sired by Awesome Bet, the bay mare is out of the Eddington mare Edacious Reality.
Net a Bear returned $6.10 as the slight second-choice in the wagering to win, $3.80 to place and $2.20 to show. Lady Valentine was worth $8.20 to place and $3.40 to show. Quinn Ella paid $2.60 to show.
Live racing resumes on Saturday with a 5:30pm first post. The featured event is the $60,000 John Henry Stakes. The Evangeline Downs Thoroughbred season runs on a Wednesday thru Saturday schedule until August 27.
EVANGELINE DOWNS WELCOMES LARGE CROWD FOR LOUISIANA LEGENDS NIGHT
TRAINER RON FAUCHEUX AND JOCKEY JARETH LOVEBERRY TEAM UP FOR TWO STAKES VICTORIES
OPELOUSAS, LA –Evangeline Downs hosted the annual celebration of the Louisiana-bred Thoroughbreds with an exciting Louisiana Legends Night card on Saturday. A large crowd was on hand for the night of stakes action that included six stakes races each worth $75,000 for state-bred runners. Pleasant weather greeted race goers and the races were contested over tracks rated fast and firm.
Maga Man displayed a new dimension by sitting off the early speed and rallying to a thrilling victory in the $75,000 Turf. Normally a runner found battling for the lead, jockey Joe Stokes was able to get Maga Man to settle off the hot early pace being fought by Forestdungone, Mangelsen and Behemah Star through snappy fractions of 23.21, 47.28 and 1:11.63. Maga Man was ready to launch a four-wide rally at the top of the lane and engaged the leaders as they reached the furlong marker. While Behemah Star continued to battle on as the only survivor of the early pace, Jaci’s Royalty and City Park were closing from the back of the pack. Trained by Norman Miller, III, Maga Man was able to dig in and prevailed in a finish that saw the first four finishers separated by less than a combined length.
Maga Man stopped the clock in 1:43.33 over the 1-1/16 mile distance with the official winning margin of ½-length over Jaci’s Royalty. It was a head back to third place finisher Behemah Star and a nose to City Park in fourth. Maga Man defends his title in the Legends Turf, although last year’s running was contested over a sloppy main track.
Owned by Norman Miller IV, Maga Man returned $17.20 to his backers, $9.20 to place and $5.60 to show. Jaci’s Royalty paid $8.20 and $6, with Behemah Star paying $4.60 to show. The winning purse pushed the career totals for Maga Man to 10 victories in 39 career starts and $369,880 in earnings.
Bred by Steven Renshaw, Maga Man is a 7-year-old gelded gray/roan son of Musket Man, out of the Pulling Punches mare Lew’s Gray.
Free Like a Girl ran like a solid favorite is expected to do in her victory over 3-year-old fillies in the $75,000 Soiree. After breaking a little awkwardly, jockey Pedro Cotto, Jr. was able to get Free Like a Girl into a comfortable position just off the early leader Beleout. Trained by Chasey Deville Pomier, Free Like a Girl ranged up to challenge the leader moving past the quarter-mile pole and opened up a comfortable margin moving past the furlong pole. Wholelottamo was steadily gaining ground in a runner-up effort but could not threaten the winner. The winning margin for Free Like a Girl was 1-1/4 lengths, with another 7-3/4 lengths to the third-place finisher First I’ve Seen. The winner covered the mile distance in a time of 1:39.41
Sired by El Deal, the bay filly is out of the Flashy Bull mare Flashy Prize and was bred by Kim Renee Stover and Lisa Osborne. The victory was her seventh from 13 career starts and the winning purse pushed her career total to $401,473.
Owned by Gerald Bruno Jr., Carl J. Deville, Chasey Deville Pomier and Jerry Caroom, Free Like a Girl returned $3 to win, $2.20 to place and $2.10 to show. Wholelottamo paid $3 to place, $2.20 to show and First I’ve Seen paid $2.20 to show.
Kendel Standlee’s Big Chopper was hustled to the front and never looked back in his victory in the $75,000 Cheval. Jockey C.J. McMahon had his mount away alertly from the gate and settled into stride setting fractions of 24.01, 47.83 and 1:11.93 before stopping the clock in 1:37.71 for the mile distance. Vodka Gimlet was in range throughout but could not get past the determined winner. Favored Touchuponastar, off a very impressive maiden victory, was chasing the eventual victor from the outset and faded to third. Trained by Scott Gelner, Big Chopper’s winning margin was ½-length, with another length separating the second and third finishers.
Bred by the owner, the 3-year-old is by Shackleford and is out of the Unusual Heat mare Miss Well Molded. The winning purse pushed his career total to $130,480 with his third victory from eight career starts.
Big Chopper returned $13.80 to his backers for a win ticket, $6.20 to place and $3.80 to show. Vodka Gimlet returned $4.60 to place and $2.60 to show, with Touchuponastar paying $2.80 to show.
Maximo Lamarche and Federico Deltoro’s Net a Bear returned to her winning ways on the grass with an impressive victory in the $75,000 Turf Distaff. Jockey Tim Thornton and Net a Bear were unhurried early sitting in fifth position early as longshot Sumitup raced away to an open lengths lead. World War and Great in Red were the first to collar the leader moving into the far turn as the leader gave way after fractions of 23.63 and 48.15. Through six furlongs in 1:12.26, Net a Bear was shuffled back in some traffic and had to wait for some running room. As the field straightened away in the lane, the Allen Landry trainee found clear running room and rushed past the leaders to win by 1-1/4 lengths. World War fought on to finish second a head in front of Great in Red. The winner stopped the timer in 1:36.91.
Bred by Lora Pitre and Elaine Carroll, Net a Bear was sired by Awesome Bet and is out of the Eddington mare Edacious Reality. Winning for the twelfth time in 33 career starts, the $45,000 winning purse pushed her career earnings to $615,970.
The favorite in the wagering, Net a Bear paid $3.40 to win, $2.10 to place and $2.10 to show. World War paid $2.80 to place and $2.40 to show. Great in Red returned $2.80 to show.
Trainer Ron Faucheux and jockey Jareth Loveberry teamed up for their first of two stakes victories as Fame Feather won the $75,000 Mademoiselle. Winning for the first time over the main track, Fame Feather rallied from off the pace to win the 5-1/2 furlong sprint. Settling off swift early fractions of 21.90 and 45.58 seconds set by Lady Hopper, the Picard Thoroughbreds Racing Stable LLC (Dawn and Jeffrey Picard) runner commenced a rally two wide on the turn and rallied to pull away for a one length victory over Spirited Beauty, a half-length ahead of Snowball who rallied late for a third-place finish. The winner stopped the timer in 1:04.49.
Bred by Ramona Pierce, Fame Feather is a 7-year-old chestnut mare sired by Lion Tamer, out of the Indian Charlie mare Pretty Indian. Winning for the seventh time in 25 career starts, the winner’s share increased her career bankroll to $274,330.
Fame Feather returned a welcome $21.20 to win for her backers, $7.80 to place and $5 to show. Spirited Beauty paid $4.80 to place and $2.80 to show. Snowball returned $3 to show.
Faucheux and Loveberry found the winner’s circle again as Bertie’s Galaxy defended his title in the $75,000 Sprint. Sharp away from the gate, Bertie’s Galaxy was quickly in charge leading by a length through an opening quarter in 21.86 seconds with Black Sword and Yankee Seven chasing their familiar rival. Turning for home in a half-mile in 44.63 seconds, the Allen Cassedy runner extended the lead to two lengths and was clear at the wire. The winning margin was 2-1/4 lengths over a late closing Creole Charlie and it was another 1-1/2 lengths back to Takes Two to Tango in third. Bertie’s Galaxy stopped the clock in 1:03.52 for the 5-1/2 furlong distance.
Bertie’s Galaxy was bred by Margie Averett and the 6-year-old chestnut gelding is by Greeley’s Galaxy out of the Wild Rush mare Wild Bertie.
Off as the favorite, Bertie’s Galaxy returned $6.60 as a popular victor, $4.60 to place and $4 to show. Creole Charlie was worth $12.60 to place and $8 to show. Takes Two to Tango returned $5.60 to show. The winning share pushed the career bankroll of Bertie’s Galaxy to $442,850. The victory was the eleventh from 25 career starts.
For more information on racing at Evangeline Downs, visit the track’s website at www.evdracing.comand on Twitter @evdracing. Live racing resumes Wednesday with a 5:30pm Central first post. The racing calendar for 2022 is a Wednesday through Saturday schedule until the end of the meet on August 27.
NET A BEAR RALLIES LATE TO WIN THE $100,000 MAGNOLIA STAKES AT DELTA DOWNS
VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs hosted the $100,000 Magnolia Stakes on Friday afternoon. The race featured a field of six Louisiana-bred fillies and mares competing at seven furlongs and it was Maximo Lamarche and Federico Deltoro’s Net a Bear who came away with the win under jockey Tim Thornton.
Breaking from the inside post position, Net a Bear was reserved early and dropped back to trail the field while Carondelet set the early fractions of 23.30 seconds for the quarter mile and 47.76 for the half. As the field entered the second turn, Thornton began a rally with Net a Bear that resulted in a come-from-behind victory by a half-length over Quikfast N Ahurry while Inawic settled for third, another neck behind the top pair.
Net a Bear covered the distance over a fast track in a time of 1:26.88.
The win by Net a Bear, who is trained by Allen Landy, was the eighth of her 27-race career. She garnered another $60,000 for the effort which raised her overall bankroll to $412,070.
Bred in Louisiana by Lora Pitre & Elaine Carroll, Net a Bear is a 5-year-old bay mare by Awesome Bet, out of the Eddington mare Edacious Reality.
Sent to the gate even money, Net a Bear paid $4.20 to win, $2.60 to place and $2.10 to show. Quikfast N Ahurry returned $2.60 to place and $2.40 to show. Inawic was worth $3.80 to show.
The win by jockey Tim Thornton also marked his second straight tally in a $100,000 stakes event. He won the $100,000 Louisiana Legacy aboard Unified Report last Saturday. On that program he also set a track record for jockeys with seven wins in one day. Thornton is attempting to take his fourth consecutive leading rider title at Delta Downs this year.
LOUISIANA CUP DAY FILLED WITH THRILLING FINISHES AND PRIDE FROM EACH OF THE WINNING CONNECTIONS
Trainer Allen Landry Wins Two of the Six Features
Bossier City, LA – Temperatures rose into the upper 90’s Saturday afternoon at Louisiana Downs but excellent efforts were on display in each of the six black-type stakes on Louisiana Cup Day.
Driving Finish By Wholelottamo in the $50,000 Louisiana Cup Juvenile Fillies
Stakes action began with the running of the $50,000 Louisiana Cup Juvenile Fillies. A very competitive field of eight accredited 2-year-old Louisiana-bred fillies entered the gate for the six furlong contest with a confident score by Wholelottamo.
Owned by Thompson Racing LLC, the daughter of Mo Tom made her Louisiana Downs debut after two starts at Lone Star Park. Tim Thornton, who is just one win away from his 2,500th career victory, guided the chestnut filly to the wire in 1:12.97, winning by a margin of 2 ½ lengths. Trainer Scott Gelner was not surprised at her victory, citing the tough company she faced in her June 5 debut.
“She ran against two really nice fillies in that race,” said Gelner. “One of them (Wicked Halo) won a Grade 2 at Saratoga. I have to give credit to my son (assistant trainer, JJ). He’s not here; he;s on vacation in the Bahamas!”
Early pacesetter Streak of Silver hung on for second under Lindey Wade, followed by Free Like a Girl and Buckely Bunny.
Bred by Cloyce C. Clark, Jr., Wholelottamo ($5.20) has now won two of her three starts and banked $57,925.
Net a Bear Turned Back Five Rivals in the $50,000 Louisiana Cup Distaff
The first turf stakes of the card, the $50,000 Louisiana Cup Distaff, drew six fillies and mares who traveled a mile and one-sixteenth over the Franks Turf Course. Due to heavy rain earlier this week, it was listed as good and proved no obstacle for Net a Bear.
The 5-year-old filly by Awesome Bet out of the Eddington mare Edacious Reality, owned by Maximo Lamarche and Federico Deltoro, was the 3-2 morning line favorite. The multiple-stakes winner for breeders Lora Pitre and Elaine Carroll exited a victory in the $60,000 Opelousas Stakes at Evangeline Downs on July 2.
Tim Thornton patiently saved ground, tracking familiar foe Offspring in splits of :24.47; :49.51 and 1:14.18 before taking the lead and finishing in 1:45.01.
“She’s such a nice filly to ride,” said Thornton. “I have always ridden her with a game plan, but know she will be there when I call on her. I let her settle and when I called on her, she was game. Allen’s done a great job with her.”
Net a Bear (4.40) improved her record to seven wins from 25 starts. Her check for $30,000 increased her earnings to $352,070.
Oak Tree Stable’s Offspring completed the exacta with Fort Polk running third and Freda’s Smooth Air running fourth.
True Deal Resurgent in the $50,000 Louisiana Cup Juvenile
The fourth race of the afternoon was the $50,000 Louisiana Cup Juvenile for Louisiana-bred 2-year-old colts and geldings.
Morning line favoritism in the six furlong stakes went to Norman Stables LLC True Deal, a colt by True Deal out of the Big Brown mare Hilarious Brown. Although he did not leave the gates as the favorite, he would not be denied as he closed gamely under jockey Joe Stokes to win his first career stakes.
Sent off as the third choice in the nine horse field, True Deal (12.60) finished by a neck over Family Creed in a final time of 1:12.97.
Trainer Lonnie Briley has been pleased with efforts of his colt who is sired by leading first crop Louisiana stallion El Deal.
“I’ve liked him a lot,” said Briley. “He’s easy to train and doesn’t make any mistakes. His sire is by Munnings, so even though he ran well today, I think he can go faster and should do very well either stretching out or on the turf.”
The victory marked the second win for breeder Cloyce C. Clark Jr.Tambourine Star finished third behind Family Creed with longshot Son Carlos completing the superfecta.
Chu Chu’s Legacy Earns His Second Louisiana Cup Day Score Taking the $50,000 Louisiana Cup Sprint
Allen Landry’s Chu Chu’s Legacy is no stranger to success on statebred racing stakes days. He won the $50,000 Louisiana Cup Juvenile last year and turned back a very tough field of sprinters today as he captured the $50,000 Louisiana Cup Sprint.
It was the second 2021 Louisiana Cup victory for owner/trainer Landry, who was reached by phone following the win.
“He’s just amazing,” said Landry who purchased the colt for a modest $4,000 at the Equine Sales Mixed Sale. “I was a little leary of running him against older horses, but he does everything I have asked him to do.”
Rider Joe Stokes took control at the top of the stretch and drew off to finish 1 ½ lengths ahead of Scarlettsblackjack in 1:10.79.
“He broke well and sat behind the speed,” said Stokes. “When I asked him, he just responded. He’s a hell of a horse!”
Landry’s wife Sandra named the colt after Chu Chu Perez who worked for the couple as a groom, but passed away last year.
Monte Man, who won the 2018 Louisiana Cup Sprint, ran a game third under Gerard Melancon, followed by Half Again..
Sent off at odds of 7-1, Chu Chu’s Legacy paid $15.80 for the win, which was his sixth in ten starts. With today’s winner’s share of $30,000, his earnings stand at $206,350.
Carlea’s Dream Splits Rivals in an Exciting $50,000 Louisiana Cup Turf Classic
The $50,000 Louisiana Turf Cup Classic an excellent group of turf specialists competing a mile and one sixteenth over the good turf course.
Carlea’s Dream, was installed as the 5-2 morning line choice, lived up to his billing for owner Carl Moore Management. Lindey Wade made the trip to Louisiana Downs to pilot the 4-year-old son of Lea out of the Corinthian mare Beat The Street. Bred by Time Will Tell LLC, Carlea’s Dream won in 1:44.37.
“It was so nice to come home and I am grateful to Karen for bringing me in to ride,” said Wade. “I knew this horse had it in him and could win a Louisiana-bred stakes.
The bay gelding had won two turf races this year in Texas. Trainer Karen Jacks said that he will stay in Louisiana and run in an upcoming turf stakes.
“He’s just like his name, a dream to train,” she said. “He loves the turf, like all horses sired by
Lea. His only two bad efforts were races taken off the turf.”
Britts a Closer, who broke his maiden on the Franks Turf Course last year, was in contention and held for second under leading rider Joel Dominguez. Mangelsen was third with Unrestricted completing the superfecta.
Strong Beauty Won Her First Stakes in the $50,000 Louisiana Cup Filly and Mare Sprint
Trainer Ron Faucheux had a full group of stakes entrants, but had to wait until the final feature of the day, the $50,000 Louisiana Filly and Mare Sprint, to visit the winner’s circle.
Strong Beauty, owned by Golden Rock Thoroughbreds, defeated a highly competitive group of distaffers, including defending champion Tin Roof Farms LLC’s Snowball, and LTBA champion 4-year-old filly Our Lost Love.
Ridden by Carlos Marquez, the daughter of Overanalyze, earned her first stakes score, closing from off the pace to win the six furlong contest in 1:11.69.
“We got her at the Fair Grounds and she has just continued to progress,”said Faucheaux. “She is now in her top form and I expect good things from her as we move forward. Carlos rode a perfect race. This was very exciting!”
Crescentcitypretty ran second, followed by Snowball and Dance Away.
Strong Beauty ($10.80) will be pointed to Louisiana Champions Day at Fair Grounds, according to her trainer.
Registration Still Open for the Annual Charity Golf Tournament
Louisiana Downs will host its annual Charity Golf Tournament at Northwood Hills Golf Club in Shreveport, Louisiana on Wednesday September 1.The event will benefit The Winner’s Circle Church and Chaplain Jimmy Sistrunk for his many programs 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 personor $320 for a four-person team. The fee includes green fees, golf cart, lunch, and Super Derby t-shirt/cap. Trophies will be presented to the first, second and third-place teams.
The deadline to enter is Wednesday, August 25th. Attendees can register in person in the Louisiana Downs Racing office, or by mail. Checks should be payable to The Backside Benevolence Fund and mailed to: Jennifer Sokol, Harrah’s 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.
Louisiana Downs Live Racing Schedule
Live racing takes place Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday until the conclusion of the 2021 Thoroughbred meet on Tuesday, September 21. For more information on the 84-day racing season and special events, visit https://www.caesars.com/harrahs-louisiana-downs/racing.
NET A BEAR RIDES RAIL TO VICTORY IN $60,000 NET OPELOUSAS STAKES
JOCKEY TIM THORNTON GUIDES GROUND SAVING TRIP WITH ALLEN LANDRY CHARGE
OPELOUSAS, LA –A July 4th weekend crowd was treated to an exciting finish in the $60,000 Opelousas Stakes Friday night, as Net a Bear picked up the victory under jockey Tim Thornton. The Allen Landry runner turned the tables on a couple of rivals in the turf stakes for older fillies and mares.
Champagne Affair took the early initiative after breaking sharply from her inside post position, tracked intently by Raging Gold Digger and a three-wide Snowball. The compact field of five traveled in close attendance with Net a Bear and Offspring just behind the trio through moderate fractions of an opening half-mile split of 49.08 seconds. The field remained closely bunched as they moved to the top of the lane, with six furlongs traveled in 1:13.42, as Champagne Affair held onto a slim lead, while Raging Gold Digger and Snowball both began to tire.
Net a Bear waited patiently under a ground-saving trip, while Offspring was moved to the middle of the track for her run. Finding a seam between Champagne Affair and the rail, Net a Bear accelerated quickly to burst through and charge to victory, pulling away late to win by 1-3/4 lengths. Offspring was able to nab Champagne Affair late for the runner-up position, by a ½-length. Net a Bear, who runs for the partnership of Maximo Lamarche and Federico Deltoro, finished in a time of 1:37.51 completed over a firm course, at the distance of about one-mile.
The winner’s share of $36,000 increased the lifetime bankroll of Net a Bear to $322,070. The victory is the sixth win of her 25-race career.
The 5-year-old mare was bred in Louisiana by Lora Pitre and Elaine Carroll. The bay mare is by Awesome Bet, out of the Eddington mare Edacious Reality.
Sent off as the second wagering choice at 8-5, Net a Bear returned $5.20 to win, $2.80 to place and $2.10 to show. Offspring, favored at 6-5, paid $2.80 to place and $2.10 to show. Champagne Affair returned $4.20 to show.
Net A Bear Nets Louisiana Champions Day Ladies Turf
Louisiana Champions Day Ladies Turf
Fair Grounds, 12-14-19, @ 8.5 furlongs, turf
Three Year Olds and Upwards, Accredited Louisiana Bred, Fillies and Mares, $100,000
NET A BEAR
Awesome Bet–Edacious Reality
Breeder: Lora Pitre & Elaine Carroll
Owner: Maximo Lamarche and Federico Deltoro
Trainer: Allen Landry
Jockey: Florent Geroux
2nd
Room to Finish
Giant Oak–Can’t Roll a Seven
Breeder: Mike Meeks
Owner: West Point Thoroughbreds, Forge Ahead Stables, LLC and Jerry Caroom
Trainer: Wayne M. Catalano
Jockey: Shaun Bridgmohan
3rd
Eskenformore
Eskendereya–Madel
Breeder: Sugarland Thoroughbred, LLC
Owner: Sugarland Thoroughbreds LLC
Trainer: James E. Hodges
Jockey: James Graham
Champion, Dixie Poker Ace, Humanely Euthanized at 32
- Dixie Poker Ace winning the 1991 Barksdale Stakes at Louisiana Downs.
Two time Accredited Louisiana Bred Champion Dixie Poker Ace was humanely euthanized on Monday, September 16 at Lora Pitre’s Peach Lane Farms in Opelousas. He was 32.
The bay gelded son of Patriotically, out of the Poker mare Hot Stripper, started 86 times in a race career that ran from ages two to nine with a record of 27-17-15. At one time, Dixie Poker Ace was the leading Louisiana Bred money earner. His lifetime earnings of $850,126 continue to keep him among the top all-time Louisiana bred runners, currently ranking him 14th.
He won a remarkble 18 stakes races including three consecutive runnings of the Louisiana Champions Day Turf Stakes (1991-93) and placed in an additional 21 stakes including a third place finish in the 1994 G3 Ark-La-Tex Handicap. The same year, he set a new course record at Fair Grounds running the approximate 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.00. In 2001, Fair Grounds initiated the Dixie Poker Ace Handicap in his honor.
In 1991 and 1992, he was voted Accredited Louisiana Bred Champion 4 Year Old & Upwards Male by the membership of the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association.
By Patriotically, a half brother to multiple graded placed stakes winner Northerly, Dixie Poker Ace was bred in Louisiana by venerable horseman, the late John Franks.
Since his May 1996 retirement, Dixie Poker Ace lived a long and happy life turned out in the pastures of Peach Lane Farms where he was a beloved fixture. “It was a honor and privilege to be his caretaker for the 22 plus years he resided at my farm,” says Pitre. “It’s like losing a member of my family.”
Country Day Moves to Stand at Peach Lane Farms
Breeders Cup placed multiple stakes winner Country Day is moving to Lora Pitre’s Peach Lane Farms in Opelousas for the 2019 breeding season.
Country Day captured three stakes and placed in five others. He finished second in the 2011 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (gr. II) in which he was beaten 1 1/2 lengths. Country Day, who raced at nine tracks, won on dirt, turf, and synthetic surfaces. He recorded a 105 Beyer speed figure when scoring by six lengths at Fair Grounds at 3 and a 102 when winning the Hot Springs Stakes at Oaklawn Park the following year. Country Day was retired with a record of 7-4-2 from 19 starts and earnings of $503,829.
The son of Speightstown out of the graded stakes winning Mt. Livermore mare Hidden Assets entered stud in 2013 at Pope McLean’s Crestwood Farm near Lexington for Bertram, Elaine, and Richard Klein who campaigned him during his racing career. Country Day is a half brother to multiple stakes winners Due Date and Good Deed and traces back in female family to Calumet Farm’s blue hen Blue Delight, whose other descendants include major winner and sire Alydar.
With his third crop being two-year-olds of 2018, Country Day already has a graded stakes winner, Will Call to his credit. Will Call, from Country Day’s first crop, won the 2018 G3 Twin Spires Turf Sprint S. at Churchill Downs and currently has a record of 11-6-1-1 with $271,837 in earnings. Additionally, from his second crop, Sir Brogan is a stakes placed winner.
“Mr. Klein and I have had a business relationship for several years. He’s a class act and a pleasure to work with. I am very excited about this new Country Day partnership and appreciate his continued support of the Louisiana Bred Program,” says Pitre.
Country Day is standing for a 2019 fee of $2,000 live foal payable when foal stands and nurses for owners Richard Klein and Lora Pitre. Special consideration will be given to stakes mares.
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