Category: Louisiana-Bred

WHO TOOK THE MONEY CASHES IN WINNING THE $100,000 GOLD CUP AT DELTA DOWNS

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Who Took The Money won the 2022 Gold Cup Stakes at Delta Downs. Coady Photography.

 

 

VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs closed out its first week of live Thoroughbred racing for the 2022-23 season on Saturday and the nine-race program featured the $100,000 Gold Cup Stakes for 3-year-old and up Louisiana-bred competing at seven furlongs. The event was won by Allied Racing Stables, LLC’s Who Took the Money under jockey Deshawn Parker.

Using a come-from-behind style in a race with plenty of pace, Who Took the Money rallied strongly around the second turn to garner the lead in the upper-stretch and go on to a 7-1/4 length win at the finish line. The early pace of 22.80 second for the quarter mile and 46.94 for the half was set by Brians Iron Mike. But as the field turned for home it was Who Took the Money who found the lead and went on to the score. Brians Iron Mike stayed on for second while Relentless Dancer settled for third another fourt lengths behind the runner-up.

The final time for Who Took the Money in the Gold Cup was 1:24.51 seconds, just 20/100ths off the track record set by No Its not in 2003. Each race on the Saturday card was contested over a fast track.

Who Took the Money was making his local debut in the Gold Cup and was also coming off a five-month layoff. His last start before the race came in the Evangeline Downs Classic back in May, which he also won. The Gold Cup tally was his eighth from 12 overall starts and his fourth in stakes company. He earned $60,000 for his effort on Saturday and now boasts a lifetime bankroll of $347,677.

Bred in Louisiana by his owner, Who Took the Money is a 4-year-old chestnut gelding by Steet Boss, out of the Speightstown mare Speights’ Colony.

Sent to the gate at odds of 8-5, Who Took the Money paid $5.40 to win, $4.20 to place and $2.80 to show. Brian’s Iron Mike was worth $8.40 to place and $6.20 to show. Relentless Dancer returned $5.60 to show.

Delta Downs will race again next Wednesday through Saturday nights. First post time each evening is 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.

FREE LIKE A GIRL STAYS PERFECT AT DELTA DOWNS IN THE $100,000 MAGNOLIA STAKES

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LOUISIANA-BRED SUPER FILLY NOW FOUR-FOR-FOUR AT DELTA DOWNS

 

Free Like A Girl wins the 2022 Magnolia Stakes at Delta Downs. Coady Photography.

 

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.

DELTA DOWNS SET TO BEGIN 2022-23 THOROUGHBRED SEASON WEDNESDAY NIGHT

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 THORNTON, BROBERG AND END ZONE ATHLETICS RETURN TO DEFEND TITLES 

 EXCITING NEW PROMOTIONS SET TO BEGIN ON OPENING WEEK 

 

 

VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel will kick off its 2022-23 Thoroughbred season on Wednesday night, October 5. Live racing will begin at 4:55 pm each Wednesday through Saturday evening with a few exceptions during the holidays until the season comes to a close on February 25.

During the season, Delta Downs will offer a stakes schedule that features 22 races and a total of $1.985 million in total purse money. The track will also roll out exciting weekly promotions in the OTB for fans to participate in throughout the 21-week season.

The stakes activity kicks off on opening weekend with the $100,000 Magnolia on Friday, October 7 and the $100,000 Gold Cup on Saturday, October 8. Both races are restricted to Louisiana-bred horses with the Magnolia featuring 3-year-old and up fillies and mares.

The richest program of the year will happen on Saturday, February 4 when the track hosts another edition of Louisiana Premier Night. The exciting card will feature some of the best Louisiana-breds competing in 10 stakes races worth total purse money of $895,000. The headliner on Louisiana Premier Night is the $150,000 Louisiana Premier Night Championship for 4-year-olds and up competing at 1-1/16 miles.

The leading horsemen from last year at Delta Downs are expected to vie for top honors once again this season.

Jockey Tim Thornton, trainer Karl Broberg and owner End Zone Athletics Inc. should vie for the top spots in their respective categories again this meeting. Thornton is attempting to win his fifth consecutive title; Broberg is going for this 12th straight trainer crown; and End Zone Athletics will try to win its 11th title in the last 12 years.

Opening week will offer race fans several opportunities to save money and win cash. On opening night, Wednesday patrons in the OTB can score a free program between 3 and 7 pm; On Thursday night fans can purchase a hot dog for just $1 between 4 and 7 pm; On Friday night fans can score a half-priced drink at the OTB bar between 5 – 7 pm; and on Saturday the first 500 fans will receive a free t-shirt and will be entered into a drawing for $1,000 cash. Each promotion requires the participant to be 21 years of age or older and a Boyd Rewards Card member.

For more information about racing at Delta Downs this season, 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.

Delta Downs Racetrack Casino and Hotel, a property of Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE:BYD), features exciting casino action, live horse racing and fun dining experiences. Delta Downs is located in Vinton, Louisiana, on Delta Downs Drive. From Lake Charles, take Exit 7 and from Texas, take Exit 4.

Cupid Colt Tops LTBA Breeders Sales of Louisiana Sale

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The Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association’s Breeders Sales of Louisiana held its 2022 Yearling Sale followed by Mixed Session, Saturday, October 1st at the Equine Sales Facility in Opelousas. 

138 yearlings were cataloged with 18 outs. 101 yearlings sold for a gross of $1,690,600, and an average of $16,739 and a median of $10,000. 19 RNAs.

3 weanlings sold for a gross of $20,000 and an average of $6,667.

1 horse of racing age sold for $7,000.

9 broodmares sold for a gross of $67,800 and an average of $7,530.

The gross for the overall sale was $1,785,400.

Hip number 60,  out of the Brehon Farm consignment topped the sale bringing down the hammer at $63,000. The colt, by Cupid, who is among the leading second crop sires in North America, is out of Bronze Abe, a multiple stakes winning stakes producing Two Punch mare, and was purchased by Mintmere.

Hip number 23, out of the Clear Creek Stud consignment, was purchased by Valene Farms for $62,000, the second highest price of the day.  The dkbb colt is by the late stallion Half Ours, a four time leading Louisiana Stallion out of the multiple stakes winning Louisiana bred mare Smitty’s Sunshine, and is a full brother to multiple stakes winner Smitty’s Cougar.

Complete results can be found on the LTBA Website at https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vTEi66bt8ngPPv6RGu2_htzjrcYF3iKf9wuFKVsdKNs0wmr8c3BzTKuBJOmhi3bIl83eTdjxUbyCIY6/pubhtml

LOUISIANA LEGENDS

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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.

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FUTURE RACEHORSES

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The 2022 foaling season is now behind us, and breeders can once again get a full night’s sleep. Here are a few photos of the 2022 crop of Louisiana breds submitted by our readers. We will surely be seeing some in future winners circles!

 

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Free Like A Girl Runs Second in $500,000 G3 Charles Town Oaks

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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

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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.

BISPING PROVES BEST IN $60,000 D.S. “SHINE” YOUNG FUTURITY AT EVANGELINE DOWNS

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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.