Due to a production error, the Louisiana Horse article on Ova Charged got dropped from the magazine article about Louisiana Champions Day. Our sincerest apologies to Evelyn Benoit, Brittlyn Stables, Shane Wilson and J A Guerrero. Below is the section on Ova Charged that should have been included in the magazine.
New Orleans, La (Dec. 7, 2023) – Saturday, Dec. 9 marks the 33rd edition of Louisiana Champions Day at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, and all six stakes winners from Louisiana Championships Preview Weekend are entered. They’ll face familiar foes looking to avenge opening weekend’s loss and fresh runners from across “The Boot.” The intrastate rivals will line up in the gates of one of the nine stakes, all racing for a share of the $850,000 combined purse total.
Louisiana Champions Day will pick up on several storylines which began over opening weekend’s six stakes. But the most anticipated race introduces a new showdown into the mix: Touchuponastar versus Tumbarumba. Both bred by Coteau Grove Farm, both graded-stakes placed, the two will battle for the first time in Saturday’s $150,000 Louisiana Champions Day Classic, as Set-Hut’s Touchuponastar looks to run it back after his dominant performance in the 2022 edition.
The $50,000 Louisiana Champions Day Ladies Starter kicks off Saturday’s 13-race card with a revised noon CT post time. Three 50-cent Pick 5s with 15% takeout will be offered beginning in Race 1, Race 4, and Race 9. The non-jackpot, $1 Pick 6 with 15% takeout will begin in Race 8 with the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Turf.
Tumbarumba’s Class Clashes with Touchuponastar’s Commanding Speed in Louisiana Champions Day Classic
A field of six 3-year-olds and up entered the 33rd running of the $150,000 Louisiana Champions Day Classic. Two of them are prize fighters who have thrown their La-bred weight around across the stateline, as Touchuponastar and Tumbarumba will rumble in the Bayou on Saturday–their first-ever meeting and only the second time each racehorse has attempted the Classic distance of 1 1/18 miles.
For the past eighteen months, no Thoroughbred in Louisiana has been able to keep up with the commanding speed of Set-Hut’s Touchuponastar. Trained by Jeff Delhomme, the 3-5 morning line favorite has nine wins from 12 starts, including the 2022 Classic, and has never finished out of the money. Facing open company for the first time last May at Lone Star in the Steve Sexton Mile (G3), Frosted Grace proved too much, but last out on Nov. 3, the 4-year-old son of Star Guitar defeated out-of-state rivals including Miles D and Five Star General in the $100,000 Delta Mile.
Touchuponastar’s main rival Tumbarumba has done nothing but face open company throughout his sophomore campaign. In the care of conditioner Brian Lynch, Amerman Racing’s son of Oscar Performance has proven his class across Kentucky. Beating the likes of Scotland, Damon’s Mound, and Denington when winning allowance races at Churchill Downs, Keeneland, and the Ellis Park Derby, Tumbarumba also proved he has a champion’s heart, dueling victoriously time and again through the final stages of those races.
“He loves to get engaged,” Lynch said. “He seems to always find more.”
In September’s Oklahoma Derby (G3), Tumbarumba stretched out to 1 1/8 miles and finished third, in front of Raise Cain, Cagliostro, and Hit Show, but a head shy of How Did He Do That.
“He can get the mile and one-eighth,” Lynch said. “He showed that there in the Oklahoma Derby. He fought hard to the wire there. He can duplicate something like that at least. We’re hoping for no rain. (Tumbarumba) wasn’t a big fan of the off track at Ellis this summer and I see they’re calling for some on Saturday.”
Scheduled as Race 5 with a 2:00 p.m. post time, here is the complete field for the Louisiana Champions Day Classic from the rail out (with jockey, trainer, and morning line odds): 1. Touchuponastar (Tim Thornton, Jeff Delhomme, 3-5); 2. Behemah Star (Jose Guerrero, Shane Wilson, 8-1); 3. Bayou Jam (CJ McMahon, Jonah Fuselier, 30-1); 4. Tumbarumba (Florent Geroux, Brian Lynch, 2-1); 5. Cosmic Train (Gerard Melancon, Jerry Delhomme, 20-1); 6. Mangum (Corey Lanerie, Jeff Delhomme, 6-1).
West’s Band of “G” Siblings Return To Find Wilson’s Barn Targeting Fillies and Mares Features
After finishing a game second in each of the three opening day stakes, Patricia West’s band of half-sibling fillies have unfinished business, as A G’s Charlotte, Olivia G, and Tommie G are entered on Louisiana Champions Day at Fair Grounds. But Shane Wilson’s barn is locked in, stocked up, and ready to barrel past Saturday’s statebred foes.
It was almost déjà vu on opening day of the 2023-2024 meet at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. Saddling the second-place finisher in each of the three filly stakes, Patricia West nearly repeated the success which came a year prior. Opening day 2022 she took the $75,000 Big World (renamed the John Valene for 2023) with A G’s Charlotte, then scored the natural double when Norah G won on debut. But tough racing luck spelled out troubled or pace-compromised trips for each of Thomas Galvin’s homebred stakes fillies out of the Indygo Shiner mare Adrianne G.
“It was good. It could’ve been great,” West said. “If we could have had just a touch better luck, it could’ve been different.”
On Saturday, West’s band of fillies will have a chance to top her impressive 2022 opening day double, as the Louisiana Champions Day races they’re entered in line up for a shot at the natural triple. Each with a purse of $100,000, the Distaff is carded as Race 9, the Ladies Sprint as Race 10, and the Lassie as Race 11.
Besides the newly-minted millionaire Free Like a Girl, who is cross-entered in the Distaff and the Ladies Sprint, West’s trio will be challenged by the formidable Brittlyn Stable homebreds in the latter two contests as trainer Shane Wilson entered both Ova Charged and Spirited Beauty in the Ladies Sprint and Clearly a Test in the Lassie.
A G’s Charlotte Distaff Repeat Hinges on Revenge
Looking to reign victorious on a second Louisiana Champions Day, Thomas Galvin’s A G’s Charlotte will defend her $100,000 Distaff title against seven 3-year-old and up fillies and mares going 1 1/16 miles. But the Mo Tom 4-year-old will have to get the better of D and S Stables’ Vale Male who seized the day when no other runner was sent to the front in opening day’s Valene Memorial.
“Maybe we should’ve gone to the lead last time,” West said. “There will be a little more speed in this race. But more distance will help her out.”
Since removing blinkers earlier in the year, A G’s Charlotte has two wins and three seconds from six races.
“I think she is the same with or without blinkers,” West said. “She runs the way she runs.”
Scheduled as Race 9 with a 4:00 p.m. post time, here is the complete field for the Louisiana Champions Day Distaff from the rail out (with jockey, trainer, and morning line odds): 1. Wholelottamo (Florent Geroux, Jayde Gelner, 10-1); 2. Free Like a Girl (Vicente Del-Cid, Chasey Pomier, 3-1); 3. Star Moment (Corey Lanerie, Bret Calhoun, 4-1); 4. Cheapskate Diva (Carlos L. Marquez, Joseph Felks, 15-1); 5. A G’s Charlotte (Marcelino Pedroza Jr., Patricia West, 5-2); 6. Fort Polk (Emanuel Nieves, Pat Mouton, 12-1); 7. Vale Male (James Graham, James Hodges, 6-1); 8. Sabra Tuff (Brian Hernandez Jr., Dallas Stewart, 9-2).
Second to Many, Olivia G Tasked with Outsprinting Ova Charged
Galvin and West will have a chance at another natural double, but this time with siblings, as Olivia G enters the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Ladies Sprint looking to turn the tables on the newly-minted millionaire Free Like a Girl.
“Free Like a Girl only beat us by 3/4-length,” West said. “We couldn’t get out of traffic until the quarter pole. If she could’ve gotten through, that would’ve been interesting.”
A talented and honest filly, the 3-year-old Oliva G racked up five place-finishes before breaking her maiden in October at Delta Downs. Four of her eight career starts were in stakes, including the Doris Hebert on opening day, her first time racing with the confidence of a win under her belt.
“I’ve always had confidence in Olivia G, since last year,” West said. “Both in Norah G (3-year-old stablemate) and her, but the question was always who was better between the two. Now I’m back to my original confidence (in Olivia G).”
Fellow Ladies Sprint foes Beleout, Free Drop Maddy, and Miss Priority exit the Hebert where they finished third, fourth, and sixth, respectively.
To be the Ladies Sprint champion you’ve got to beat the Ladies Sprint champion, and that title decidedly belongs to Ova Charged. Brittlyn Stable’s star filly has won the last two editions of this race, and she enters for a third alongside her stablemate Spirited Beauty. Both trained by the current meet-leader Shane Wilson, and both working lights out.
“The rain last week messed up our schedule just a bit,” Wilson said. “I wanted to work her on Sunday, come back the following Sunday, and then race 6 days later. It rained and rained so we skipped that one and came back with one solid work last Wednesday. She went (5 furlongs) in a minute and some change, galloped out in 1:12.”
Ova Charged will be making her first start from Wilson’s barn. Having mopped the floor over the past two years with any statebred filly who would face her, the 5-year-old Star Guitar mare tried La-bred males at Fair Grounds last March only to finish fourth. She headed to Keeneland in April for her subsequent race, but failed to pass the open company acid-test, finishing seven lengths back in sixth.
“(Ova Charged) came out of the race at Keeneland with some small issues so they kicked her out and gave her a little break,” Wilson said. “She’s been bulletproof since she’s been back.”
In her one prior start with Wilson, the 5-year-old Star Guitar mare Spirited Beauty tried blinkers for the first time and failed to factor in August’s Louisiana’s Cup Filly and Mare Sprint at Louisiana Downs.
“Spirited Beauty is a beautiful horse. She’s tall, wide, long, a gorgeous filly,” Wilson said. “She didn’t break well from the gates the last couple of times she raced, so we just stopped, let her get away from the track and get her mind straight. She’s come back with two bullet workouts. She should compliment Ova Charged very well because she’ll be coming with her run at the end where Ova will be pressing the pace.”
Scheduled as Race 10 with a 4:30 p.m. post time, here is the complete field for the Louisiana Champions Day Ladies Sprint from the rail out (with jockey, trainer, and morning line odds): 1. Free Drop Maddy (CJ McMahon, Bret Calhoun, 12-1); 2. Olivia G (Marcelino Pedroza Jr., Patricia West, 6-1); 3. Basalt Street (Jareth Loveberry, Gary Scherer, 8-1); 4. Ova Charged (Jose Guerrero, Shane Wilson, 3-1); 5. Free Like a Girl (Vicente Del-Cid, Chasey Pomier, 5-2); 6. Snowball (Brian Hernandez Jr., Samuel Breaux, 10-1); 7. Spirited Beauty (Corey Lanerie, Shane Wilson, 8-1); 8. Beleout (Rey Gutierrez, Courtney Dandridge Jr., 6-1); 9. Miss Priority (Gerard Melancon, Paul Duhon, 20-1); 10. Speedy Dudette (Aubrie Green, Joe Duhon, 20-1).
Wilson Grades Clearly A Test 100% Ahead of Lassie
In the finale of the three Louisiana Champions Day fillies and mares affairs, trainers Shane Wilson and Patricia West’s fillies will have more than just each to worry about, as 13 juveniles are signed on to six dirt furlongs in the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Lassie.
Having broken her maiden even though not fully cranked last out in the Donovan L. Ferguson, the 7-2 morning line favorite Clearly a Test will lay it all on the line this time and likely benefit from her outside draw in post No. 11. Compromised by her rail draw after breaking towards the back in the Ferguson, Jose Guerrero guided Clearly a Test through a full field of traffic to have her positioned at the top of the stretch for a clear run to the wire.
“I wasn’t sure she was fit enough for (the Ferguson),” Wilson said. “I got one 3/8ths and two halves in her ahead of that one. It worked out when she didn’t break well and Jose had to sit behind horses and wait, he just swung her out and made one 3/8ths run with her. She’s a big strong filly and now that she has one race in her, we have to lead her to the track, lead her back. She went to the gates this morning and boy she was mad when she came out of the gates and didn’t get to run.”
Though entering her third stake, Thomas Galvin’s Tommie G is still a maiden. Overcoming a tough break from the gates herself, the last piece of Patricia West’s “G” puzzle ran well to finish second in the Ferguson. The half-sibling of A G’s Charlotte and Olivia G also showed her talent when finishing third in the Louisiana Jewel in her race prior.
Scheduled as Race 11 with a 5:00 p.m. post time, here is the complete field for the Louisiana Champions Day Lassie from the rail out (with jockey, trainer, and morning line odds): 1. Ready for Thunder (Edgar Morales, Chasey Pomier, 30-1); 2. Sarah’s Court (Gerard Melancon, Allan Kanfer, 15-1); 3. Emily’s Bullet (Vicente Del-Cid, Chasey Pomier, 10-1); 4. Tommie G (Marcelino Pedroza Jr., Patricia West, 10-1); 5. Tap Galore (Jareth Loveberry, Jayde Gelner, 8-1); 6. Accommodate Eva (Brian Hernandez Jr., Dallas Stewart, 8-1); 7. Undercover Girl (Corey Lanerie, Brad Cox, 4-1); 8. Guitar Solo (Joel Dominguez, Allen Landry, 9-2); 9. Lightofmaine (CJ McMahon, Bret Calhoun, 20-1); 10. She Smiled At Me (Thomas Pompell, Brett Brinkman, 12-1); 11. Clearly a Test (Jose Guerrero, Shane Wilson, 7-2); 12. One Line Ruler (Tim Thornton, Carrol Castille, 15-1); 13. Astrology Girl (Aubrie Green, Andrea Ali, 30-1).
Classic Cross-entered Behemah Star Likely to Opt for Turf, Who Took the Money
Whether it be in the Classic over the $100,000 Turf, cross-entered Behemah Star will have to take on the Pelican State’s foremost surface specialist on Louisiana Champions Day. Touchuponastar is ready and waiting to defend his Classic title. Allied Racing Stables Who Took the Money gives his best late kick across the sod, and he has back-to-back Turf titles to prove it. Winless as a 5-year-old, what does Behemah Star have? A new pilot in Jose Guerrero, a hot barn with Shane Wilson, and an excellent turf effort to build from.
“I’m leaning towards the Turf,” Wilson said. “He ran a big number at Evangeline on the turf. We’re in this to win, and you can’t beat Touchuponastar. Tumbarumba looks tough, too.”
This will be Behemah Star’s fourth start since Brittlyn Stable began transferring horses to Wilson’s barn. Since last year’s Classic, Behemah has lost to Touchuponastar four times, but since joining Wilson it has been Set-Hut’s other standout, Mangum who has got the best of Behemah twice. Last out in the Jacob V. Morreale, Mangum scored the upset with an up-close stalking trip more in line with what Wilson was hoping for his entry, who lagged behind and then ran into trouble trying to close in the homestretch.
Whichever race his connections choose, on Saturday Behemah Star will receive the services of a new rider, Jose Guerrero. Already with six wins, Guerrero came to Fair Grounds this year to be first call for Wilson, who currently leads all trainers with the same six wins.
“Jose won over 100 races with us the last two summers between Evangeline and Louisiana Downs,” Wilson said. “Just out of our barn. Me and him, we come back and watch replays of the horses who are riding today. We study the program and make a plan and go out there and win races.”
Winless from two turf attempts, both at the Turf’s 1 1/16 miles distance, Behemah Star drew post No. 7 and was assessed with 8-1 odds in the morning line.
Scheduled as Race 8 with a 3:30 p.m. post time, here is the complete field for the Louisiana Champions Day Turf from the rail out (with jockey, trainer, and morning line odds): 1. Silver Galaxy (Gerard Melancon, Paul Duhon, 10-1); 2. Budro Talking (Corey Lanerie, Sturgis Ducoing, 9-2); 3. Sonya Knows Better (CJ McMahon, Jonah Fuselier, 30-1); 4. Real City Speed (Ben Curtis, Jayde Gelner, 6-1); 5. Woods N Water (Thomas Pompell, Lee Thomas, 3-1); 6. Regal Kingdom (Jareth Loveberry, Graham Motion, 8-1); 7. Behemah Star (Jose Guerrero, Shane Wilson, 8-1); 8. Who Took the Money (Deshawn Parker, Bret Calhoun, 9-5).
Thomas’ Dynamic Duo Return In Contentious, Full-field Sprint
Trainer Lee Thomas’s dynamic sprinting duo Mike J and Langs Day will look to run a high low offensive attack against Bron and Brow as a full field of fourteen clash in the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Sprint.
Piloted by James Graham in the Larry D. Robideaux, Keith Plaisance’s deep closer Langs Day attempted to make an out-of-the-clouds move to be first across the wire after falling more than 15 lengths back. He missed by a thin lip.
“I love watching him run,” Thomas said. “He almost had it last time. James said he’ll get the timing worked out.”
Sent off as the top choice in the same race, Robin Lane Thoroughbreds’ Mike J took the opposite route. An all-out, guns-blazing speedster, suited well by his regular rider Aubrie Green, Mike J scorched the earth on the lead in the Robideaux, while dueling with Scooteria, and was able to hang on for fourth. The Sky Mesa 4-year-old always runs his race and never quits, evidenced by his eight in the money finishes at the Sprint’s 6-furlong distance.
“We loved having the rail with him last time but Scooteria came after him and applied the pressure,” Thomas said. “But we don’t mind the 11-hole for Saturday. He doesn’t need to run straight out of the gate. He’ll be able to cut across from there to find his spot and save ground.”
Drawn to the far outside of the contentious field of 14, Gary Barber’s forward yet tactical Bron and Brow was made the 7-2 morning line favorite. Not having raced since finishing seventh in an open company allowance in July at Ellis Park, the 5-time winner trained by Mark Casse will have to overcome the post with the services of Rey Gutierrez.
“He had a nice summer, finishing five lengths back from Hoist the Gold at Ellis,” David Carroll said, Casse’s assistant trainer on the grounds. “They didn’t do us any favors with the post draw. It’s a tough assignment.”
The 32-1 winner of the Robideaux, Autumns Strong Man enters the Sprint in top form for trainer and owner Gary Husak. With his winning pilot Angel Suarez at home healing his dislocated elbow, the 4-year-old will be piloted by Jose Riquelme. Another major contender is Set-Hut’s Jacob V. Morreale winner, Mangum. Cross-entered in both the Sprint and the Classic, after winning routing in the Morreale his trainer Jeff Delhomme said they wanted to see how he measured against Who Took the Money and Behemah Star, but he was leaning towards the sprint for his star 3-year-old on Championship Day.
Scheduled as race 12 with a 5:30 p.m. post time, here is the complete field for the Louisiana Champions Day Sprint from the rail out (with jockey, trainer, and morning line odds): 1. Hooray Austin (David Cohen, Sean Alfortish, 12-1); 2. Langs Day (James Graham, Lee Thomas, 6-1); 3. Allnight Moonlight (Ben Curtis, David Terre, 12-1); 4. Unified Report (Brian Hernandez Jr., Dallas Stewart, 20-1); 5. Helaire (Emanuel Nieves, Pat Mouton, 20-1); 6. Scooteria (Jose Guerrero, Shane Wilson, 15-1); 7. Autumns Strong Man (Jose Riquelme, Gary Husak, 12-1); 8. Highland Creek (CJ McMahon, Bret Calhoun, 6-1); 9. Brian’s Iron Mike (Tim Thornton, Allen Landry, 15-1); 10. Fiesty Fist (Gerard Melancon, Carrol Castille, 30-1); 11. Mike J (Aubrie Green, Lee Thomas, 8-1); 12. Jax Man (Jaime Torres, Sam David Jr., 12-1); 13. Mangum (Corey Lanerie, Jeff Delhomme, 5-1); 14. Bron and Brow (Rey Gutierrez, Mark Casse, 7-2).
El Dinero Looks for Clean Trip Facing Spinning Aces in Juvenile
After taking blows from his foes out of the gates in the Joseph R. Peluso, Tav Enterprises’ El Dinero produced a last to first rail rally to win the second stake of his young career by a length. Three of El Dinero’s Peluso rivals enter the looking to find the upper hand. Of his eight foes in Saturday’s $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile, there’s only one the Patrick Devereux Jr’ trainee has not faced, and that’s Mike Diliberto’s 5-2 morning line favorite, Spinning Aces. owned by Lynne Boutte and trained by Allen Landry, the gelded son of Hard Aces has two wins in three lifetime starts, including his last-out Jean Lafitte score by a neck. That was going 7 furlongs in the slop at Delta Downs. Nine juveniles will go 6 furlongs on Saturday in Race 7, hoping to assert themselves atop the division.
Scheduled to go off at 3:00 p.m., here is the complete field for the Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile from the rail out (with jockey, trainer, and morning line odds): 1. Good and Stout (CJ McMahon, Carrol Castille, 4-1); 2. Prodigy Paradise (Corey Lanerie, Bret Calhoun, 12-1); 3. Sounds Like Power (Deshawn Parker, Jayde Gelner, 12-1); 4. Rising Koto Star (Aubrie Green, Gary Husak, 20-1); 5. Hymn for Carlos (Vicente Del-Cid, Chasey Pomier, 20-1); 6. El Dinero (James Graham, Patrick Devereux Jr., 5-1); 7. Stovall (Rey Gutierrez, Samuel Breaux, 8-1); 8. Strong Promise (Florent Geroux, Jayde Gelner, 3-1); 9. Spinning Aces (Joel Dominguez, Allen Landry, 5-2).
Five Ladies Starters Look to Deny Thetruthisthetruth
Greg Hunter’s Thetruthisthetruth enters the $50,000 Louisiana Champions Day Ladies Starter having won eight of her last nine races. Five older fillies and mares signed on to face the 2-1 morning line favorite, as they try to put an end to the Orrin Cogburn trainee’s four-race win streak.
Written for 5 1/2 furlongs across the main track, post time is noon for the Louisiana Champions Day Ladies Starter. Here is the complete field from the rail out (with jockey, trainer, and morning line odds): 1. Track Smart (Joel Dominguez. Isai Gonzalez, 3-1); 2. For Real Alice (Vicente Del-Cid, Floyd Pitzer, 9-2); 3. Serape (Thomas Pompell, Brett Brinkman, 5-1); 4. Myfriendsawinner (Marcelino Pedroza Jr. Jonas Gibson, 4-1); 5. Thetruthisthetruth (Jansen Melancon, Orrin Cogburn, 2-1); 6. Blessed Anna (Jaime Torres, Jonas Gibson, 6-1).
Broberg Enters Blockade In Dixie Street’s Starter Encore
Karl Broberg entered two in the $50,000 Louisiana Champions Day Starter, including the 5-2 morning line favorite, Bootsie’s Galaxy. Together with stablemate Hail State, the End Zone Athletics-owned duo make up one-third of the field of six older males who will go 5 1/2 furlongs on the dirt track.
Vanessa Motta’s Dixie Street entered looking to win this race for the second year in a row. Though the 6-year-old has not been able to run back to the 93 Brisnet Speed figure he earned when winning the 2022 edition, the Sean Alfortish trainee has won five of his eight races since that effort.
Slated as Race 3, post time is 1:00 p.m. Here is the complete field for the Louisiana Champions Day Starter from the rail out (with jockey, trainer, and morning line odds): 1. Charli Michael (Ben Curtis, David Terre, 8-1); 2. Bootsie’s Galaxy (Rey Gutierrez, Karl Broberg, 5-2); 3. Dixie Street (Jaime Torres, Sean Alfortish, 7-2); 4. Sharp Charlie (Joel Dominguez, Jorge Lara, 3-1); 5. Hail State (Tim Thornton, Karl Broberg, 8-1); 6. Izzy’s Baby Boy (Vicente Del-Cid, Juan Larrosa, 7-2).
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New Orleans, LA (Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023) – Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots has announced that 73 stakes worth a combined $9.7 million will be offered during the 76-day 2023-2024 Thoroughbred meet. Up $1.2 million from last season, the increase includes the $1 million in base purses that will be offered on Dec. 2 as Fair Grounds hosts the 25th annual Claiming Crown.
“In our 152nd year, Fair Grounds will set another record for the richest stakes schedule in Louisiana history,” said Doug Shipley, President and General Manager of Fair Grounds Race Course and Slots.
Eight existing stakes receive a $25,000 boost, including two perennially star-studded turf events, the $175,000 Fair Grounds Stakes Presented by Horse Racing Nation (G3) and the $125,000 Tom Benson Memorial. The 78th running of the Louisiana Stakes Presented by Relyne GI By Hagyard (G3) is on the list and will be run for $175,000, as well as the 99th running of The Thanksgiving Classic, which will now offer a $200,000 purse.
“Many deserve thanks for their dedication and efforts to make this happen,” said Fair Grounds Racing Secretary Scott Jones. “Along with our phenomenal Road to the Kentucky Derby series and thriving turf course, this is one more reason why there is no better winter destination for horse racing than New Orleans.”
This racing season marks the 100-year anniversary of Black Gold’s Louisiana Derby victory. The 66th running of the $75,000 Black Gold Stakes (3-year-olds going 1 1/16 miles on the turf) will take place on March 2, 2024 and will include a proper celebration with his connections’ family in attendance. Rosa Hoots became the first woman to have bred and owned a Kentucky Derby winner when Black Gold won the Run for the Roses in 1924. A member of the Osage Nation of Oklahoma, Hoots bred her 34-time-winning race mare U-See-It with the stallion Black Toney, which produced a jet-black foal that she named “Black Gold.” The first horse ever to win the derbies of four different states, Black Gold was elected to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1989.
“Black Gold was the first Louisiana Derby champion to go on and win the Kentucky Derby,” said director of racing Jason Boulet. “Not only did he break his maiden at Fair Grounds but he is also buried in our infield. Our tradition is for the winning jockey of the Black Gold Stakes to place flowers on his grave. We’re proud to run a stake in his honor every year, but it will be all the more special having his owner’s family with us at Fair Grounds to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of his historic achievement.”
Opening day is slated for Friday, Nov. 17. Six $75,000 Louisiana-bred stakes will be run over the main track on the season’s first two days. Fillies and mares take center stage on Friday in the Doris Hebert Memorial (6 furlongs), the John Valene Memorial (1 mile & 70 yards), both for 3-year-olds and up, and the Donovan L. Ferguson Memorial, a 5 1/2 furlong event for 2-year-old fillies. Saturday’s trio of stakes are a mirror-image in terms of age, distance and surface, including the Larry D. Robideaux Memorial, the Jacob V. Morreale Memorial, and the Joseph R. Peluso Memorial, respectively. Each is in its second year of running, but four are renamed from last year to honor departed members of Louisiana’s racing community.
On Saturday, Dec. 2, the Claiming Crown returns to Fair Grounds for the first time since 2011. It is the second straight year that the series has gone to a Churchill Downs Inc. property, as the 2022 races were held for the first time at the company’s flagship track in Louisville after a 10-year-run at Gulfstream Park in Florida. Celebrating its 25th year, Claiming Crown purses will range from $75,000 to $200,000 for the Jewel. Another $25,000 in each race will be available in purse supplements for accredited Louisiana-bred horses.
“We were thrilled with the response to the first Claiming Crown at Churchill Downs and look forward to bringing this wonderful event back to New Orleans,” said CDI Executive Director of Racing Gary Palmisano Jr. “Fair Grounds played host to the Claiming Crown in 2011 but there is no denying this event is bigger and better than ever. We are excited to partner with the National HBPA, TOBA and the Louisiana HBPA to make 2023 among the best and the most memorable Claiming Crowns ever.”
The eight 2023 Claiming Crown races all are for horses 3-years-old and up, with two of those restricted to fillies and mares. Headlining the card is the $200,000 Jewel at 1 1/8 miles for horses that have started for a claiming price of $35,000 or less in 2022-23. Three other races—all on turf—will offer a $150,000 purse and have a $25,000 claiming requirement. Those races are the Emerald at 1 1/16 miles, its filly and mare counterpart, the Tiara, and the Canterbury Tom Metzen Memorial at 5 1/2 furlongs. The other Claiming Crown races are the $100,000 Rapid Transit ($16,000 claiming requirement) at 6 furlongs; $100,000 Glass Slipper ($12,500 claiming requirement) at one mile for fillies and mares; $75,000 Iron Horse Kent Stirling Memorial ($8,000 claiming requirement) at 1 1/16 miles, and $75,000 Ready’s Rocket Express ($8,000 claiming requirement) at 6 furlongs.
Louisiana Derby Day is scheduled for Saturday, March 23, and it will card eight stakes worth a total of $2,625,000. Written at 1 3/16 miles now for the fifth year, the 111th running of the Twinspires.com $1,000,000 Louisiana Derby (G2) is worth 100-50-25-15-10 points to the top five finishers on the Road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve (G1). Over the past five years since Country House came through New Orleans on his way to winning Kentucky Derby 145, Fair Grounds’ Derby prep races have produced three winners, three place finishers, and three show finishers, along with two who rounded out the superfecta. Last season was no different as the second, third, and fourth-place finishers in Kentucky Derby 149 (Two Phil’s, Angel of Empire, and Disarm, respectively) trained, raced and earned qualifying points at Fair Grounds.
Run at 1 1/16 miles, the $400,000 Fair Grounds Oaks Presented by Fasig-Tipton (G2) awards 100-50-25-15-10 points en route to the Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1). Last year’s place-finisher Pretty Mischievous rebounded from that defeat with a victory in Kentucky Oaks 149, becoming owner/breeder Godolphin’s first filly to win the Run for the Lilies. Winner and third-place finishers Southlawn and The Alys Look also competed in the Kentucky Oaks.
“The strong infusion of our sport’s top 3-year-olds training and racing at Fair Grounds has been very apparent these past few seasons,” Jones said. “Beginning with the Gun Runner and the Untapable for late-season juveniles, it’s proven that our progressive schedule of 3-year-old races for both the boys and girls gives horsemen the proper distances and spacing to prepare their runners for the first weekend in May and beyond.”
A pair of high-impact, nine-furlong stakes for older horses are also scheduled on the March 23 Louisiana Derby Day program–the $500,000 New Orleans Classic Presented by Relyne GI By Hagyard (G2) on dirt and the $300,000 Muniz Memorial Presented by Horse Racing Nation (G2) on turf. Four undercard stakes are slated for the lucrative card, including the newly minted $125,000 Tom Benson Memorial for older fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles on grass and a trio of Louisiana-bred events–the Costa Rising Stakes for 3-year-olds and up (5 1/2 furlong turf sprint), the Crescent City Derby (1 1/16 miles) and the Crescent City Oaks (1 mile and 70 yards).
Road to the Derby Kickoff Day falls on Dec. 23 this year and will card eight stakes. A pair of 2-year-old affairs with Kentucky Derby and Oaks point implications (10-5-3-2-1) highlight the card: the $100,000 Gun Runner contested at 1 1/16 miles and the 1 mile 70 yards $100,000 Untapable for fillies.
Two long standing juvenile 6-furlong sprint stakes remain on the Dec. 23 Road to the Derby Kickoff Day card–the Sugar Bowl and the Letellier Memorial for fillies. The undercard also features three turf stakes: the Buddy Diliberto Memorial (1 1/16 miles), the Blushing K.D. (fillies and mares going 1 1/16 miles), and the Richard R. Scherer Memorial, a 5 1/2 furlong turf sprint. The Tenacious Stakes (3-year-olds and up going 1 1/16 miles) retains its spot on the Dec. 23 card, while its female counterpart, the Joseph “Spanky” Broussard Memorial (1 mile 70 yards), shifts ahead one day from its spot on this card last year to Friday, Dec. 22. Each stake scheduled for these two days will be run for $100,000.
On Jan. 20, Road to the Derby Day features a pair of key 3-year-old events–the $200,000 Lecomte Stakes (G3) which was extended from one mile to 1 1/16 miles four years ago, and the $150,000 Silverbulletday Stakes Presented by Fasig-Tipton (fillies going 1 mile and 70 yards). The top five finishers in each race receive 20-10-6-4-2 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby and Oaks respectively.
Four stakes for older horses will also be presented on the Jan. 20 program, including the purse-boosted $175,000 Louisiana Presented by Relyne GI By Hagyard (G3) run at 1 1/16 miles on the main track, and the Colonel E.R. Bradley (1 1/16 miles), the Duncan F. Kenner (5 1/2 furlongs), and the Marie G. Krantz Memorial (fillies and mares going 1 1/16 miles), each scheduled to be run for $100,000 over the Stall-Wilson Turf Course.
On Feb. 17, Louisiana Derby Preview Day features a pair of key 3-year-old stakes–the $400,000 Risen Star (G2), which was extended from 1 1/16 to 1 1/8 miles four years ago, and the $300,000 Rachel Alexandra Presented by Fasig-Tipton (G2), for fillies to be contested over 1 1/16 miles. The top five finishers receive 50-25-15-10-5 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby and Oaks respectively. The Rachel Alexandra has produced three of the last six Kentucky Oaks winners in Pretty Mischievous, Monomoy Girl, and Serengeti Empress. The 2014 victress Untapable also took down the Run for the Lilies.
Four stakes for older horses will also be presented on the Feb. 17 program–the $250,000 Mineshaft Presented by Relyne GI By Hagyard (G3) at 1 1/16 miles, the newly-minted $175,000 Fair Grounds (G3) at nine furlongs on turf, the $100,000 Colonel Power at 5 1/2 furlongs on turf, and the $100,000 Albert M. Stall Memorial for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles on turf.
Louisiana Champions Day will be held on Dec. 9. With the races run in various divisions over a variety of distances on both dirt and turf, the program features nine stakes restricted to Louisiana-breds. Each Louisiana Champions Day stake is worth $100,000 with the exception of the $150,000 Louisiana Champions Day Classic, the $50,000 Louisiana Champions Day Starter, and $50,000 Louisiana Champions Day Ladies Starter.
Four Louisiana-bred stakes receive a $25,000 purse boost in 2023-2024, including the Gary P. Palmisano Memorial and Bob F. Wright Memorial for fillies and mares. Both 6-furlong dirt sprints for 4-year-olds and up are now worth $100,000. Together with the $100,000 Nelson J. Menard Memorial, a turf sprint for older females, these three stakes will be run on Jan. 6.
Two Louisiana-bred stakes added to last year’s schedule return with new honorees: the $75,000 Louisiana Stallion of the Year “Star Guitar” at 1 mile 70 yards and the $75,000 Louisiana Broodmare of the Year “Lipstick Junky” at one mile. Both are written for 3-year-old Louisiana-breds, will be run for $75,000, and are named for two of the great producing influences in Louisiana’s breeding history. Those stakes will be contested on Feb. 24.
Closing day is Sunday, March 24 and it will feature three statebred stakes. The purses for both older dirt routes, the Star Guitar Presented by Brittlyn Stable (1 1/16 miles) and the Shantel Lanerie Memorial (fillies and mares going 1 mile 70 yards), have been raised to $100,000. The $75,000 Page Cortez, a turf sprint for 3-year-old and up females, rounds out the trio.
The 76-day, 2023-2024 Fair Grounds racing season runs through Sunday, March 24. Regular post time will be 12:45 p.m. CT. There will be an earlier noon CT first post on Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 23), Road to the Derby Kickoff Day (Dec. 23), Road to the Derby Day (Jan. 20) Louisiana Derby Preview Day (Feb. 17), and Louisiana Derby Day (March 23).
NEW ORLEANS, La. (December 10, 2022) – The commanding speed in the $150,000 Louisiana Champions Day Classic, Set-Hut’s Touchuponastar overcame a slow break to lead through all calls and pour it on late to win by 4 3/4 lengths over Behemah Star. The Star Guitar-sired exacta had plenty in the tanks after coasting through soft fractions, keeping the odds-on favorite Who Took the Money at bay.
Touchuponastar, a lightly raced-3-year-old trained by Jeff Delhomme, ran the 1 1/8 miles in 1:50.66 to collect his first career stakes win. Timothy Thornton rode the winner for Delhomme family, Jerry, Jeff, and ex-NFL quarterback Jake.
Pausing for an instant after the gates flew upon, Touchuponastar recovered quickly, hustling by the early challenger Highland Creek in the early going to set fractions of 24.55 and 49.34. He received no pressure as Highland Creek kept 1 1/2 lengths back to his outside. Behemah Star made his move to take over in second through the final bend but never menaced Touchuponastar who extended his lead to six lengths at the stretch call. Who Took the Money stalked wide in sixth before beginning a late move that never threatened the winner but was game enough to beat Ballinonabudjet for third. The rest finished well back.
“We knew he was a special horse all along,” Timothy Thornton said. “We knew we were coming here to beat Who Took the Money, but when I was able to get that first quarter as slow as I was going, I thought Calhoun’s horse (Highland Creek) was going to pressure me. When they left me alone, I knew I was going to have plenty left, and he was definitely able to show how special he is today.”
Touchuponastar is a son of Guitar Star out of the Lion Heart mare Touch Magic and was bred in Louisiana by Coteau Grove Farms. The four-time winner returned $12.40, $5.60 and $3.00 as the 5-1 third betting choice in the field of seven older males.
Cosmic Train, Highland Creek, and Maga Man completed the order of finish. Beauregard was scratched.
Touchuponastar netted $60,000 for owner Set-Hut LLC and now boasts career earnings of $163,100 from a record of 4-1-1 in 6 starts.
“He’s young and has a big future ahead of him,” trainer Jeff Delhomme said. “We were leaning towards the Classic the entire time (instead of the Sprint). We didn’t run in the prep because earlier in the career we swung back in three weeks and we think that ended up being a little too fast. It opens a lot of doors for us to be able to get nine furlongs, even outside Louisiana-bred horses.”
In other stakes action on the Louisiana Champions Day Card, Kendel D. Standlee’s Big Chopper rolled from off a 44.79 opening half mile to win the $100,000 Sprint going away at 6-1 for trainer Scott Gelner and jockey Corey Lanerie. He was followed home in the trifecta by longshots Relentless Dancer (15-1) and Mike J (46-1). After pressing into a hot pace, 2-1 favorite Bertie’s Galaxy finished last of the 12.
In the $100,000 Ladies Distaff, Thomas Galvin’s A.G’s Charlotte proved her upset win in the Big World last month was no fluke, but this time she was forced to close into moderate fractions instead of having the table set for her. The circumstances were different, but the results were the same as she scored by a narrow margin under a heady, rail-skimming ride by Marcelino Pedroza, Jr. as the 5-2 second choice for trainer Patricia West. The pacesetter Winning Romance, who walked through an opening half-mile in 49.19, battled gamely but finished second as the 3-5 public choice. Fort Polk, last year’s Distaff winner, settled for third.
In the $100,000 Ladies Sprint, Brittlyn Stables’ Ova Charged made short work of her overmatched rivals, rolling home in gate-to-wire fashion to score by 4 ¾ effortless lengths at the 1-5 chalk for Jose Camejo. Free Like a Girl, Spirited Beauty and Snowball completed the order of finish. With the win, Evelyn Benoit’s Brittlyn Stables extended their record of Champions Day wins to 15.
In the $100,000 Juvenile, Kevin Stedman’s Late September (5-1) broke inward from the starting gate, wired the field, and eventually survived a claim of foul to give trainer Jose Camejo his first of two Champions Day wins on the card. It was one of three scores on the day for Fair Grounds’ leading rider Jose Luis Rodriguez. Tumbarumba, the 3-5 favorite, was severely compromised at the start, but he rallied on nicely to be second in front of Calicoco, who checked in third.
In the $100,000 Lassie, Mansfield Racing’s Free Drop Maddy (6-5 second choice) battled for the lead from the rail, took over on the turn for home and built the lead in the stretch before holding off the slow starting 1-1 favorite Norah G to win by a diminishing neck. It was far back to Tensas Candy in third.
The two starter races were won by the mare Zydeco Music (7-5) for owner Richard Anthony Tompkins, jockey Jose Rodriguez and trainer Shane Wilson and the gelding Dixie Street for owner Vanessa Motta, trainer Sean Alforish and jockey Tracy Hebert respectively.
After Dominating the Classic & Distaff Preps, Who Took the Money and A G’s Charlotte Have Louisiana Champions Day Encore on their Mind
$850,000 in purses across eight stakes attracts Louisiana’s best Thoroughbreds and horsemen
New Orleans, La (December 8, 2022) – The standouts from Louisiana Championships Preview Weekend return to Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots on Saturday, Dec 10. They’ll face some familiar foes and some fresh runners as horsemen from across “The Boot” ship in, while stabled barns step out, on Louisiana Champions Day. For the past 31 years this card has brought together the stories and aspirations of Louisiana-bred participants. Big barns versus small, Delta Downs’ form versus Fair Grounds’ finest. Runners with graded stakes aspirations versus those who’ve never cared to look past the horizon of the state line. The intrastate storylines will line up in the gates of one of the eight stakes, all racing for a share of the $850,000 combined purse total. With 79 runners entered out of 133 nominations, post time for race 1 on the nine-race card is scheduled for 1:15 p.m. CT.
On Nov 19, Who Took the Money reasserted his dominance in the Scott’s Scoundrel Stakes, the prep for the $150,000 Louisiana Champions Day Classic, notching the umpteenth stakes victory for trainer Bret Calhoun. The day prior in the Big World, the prep for the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Distaff, A G’s Charlotte’s splendid run earned her trainer Patricia West her first stakes score. Statewide differences there will always be, but Calhoun’s Classic entry and West’s Distaff filly both have a reputation for doing things their way, a similarity that rings true to all Louisianans.
“A G’s Charlotte has a mind of her own,” Patricia West said. “She has that her way or the highway kind of attitude. At Louisiana Downs she ran up the heels of other horses when the rider wasn’t getting her to their outside. That cost us because if she does that a time or two, then she’ll be like I gave you what I had and you keep stopping so I’m not going any more. ”
Inked as the second-favorite in the 1 1/16 miles Distaff at 3-1 in the morning line, Thomas Galvin’s 3-year-old A G’s Charlotte will look to stay a head in front of the Big World place-finisher, Allied Racing’s 8-5 morning line favorite, Winning Romance. Finishing a head in front at the wire will come down to the mind she brings to the race. Marcelino Pedroza, Jr. gets the command performance after he piloted to the Mo Tom filly’s liking in the Big World. Scheduled as race seven, post time for the Distaff is 4:27 p.m. CT.
Made the overwhelming 4-5 favorite in the morning line for the Classic, Allied Racing’s homebred Who Took the Money has five stakes wins to his name, including on this day in 2021 when he first put his electric turn of foot on display winning the $100,000 Turf.
“Who Took the Money has got a mind of his own and he decides when he wants to go,” Calhoun said. “Deshawn (Parker) says he’ll ask him for something and he won’t give him anything. Then he’ll sit a little while longer and finally he’ll ask him again, and maybe only then will he give him the answer. Who Took the Money does his own thing and waits until he thinks it’s time.”
On an all-stakes, three-race win streak, the son of Street Boss has put ten lengths between him and his foes. Those races were between seven furlongs and 1 mile 70 yards. The Classic is run at 1 1/8 miles, which should suit his running style even better. Slated as race eight with a post time of 4:59 p.m. CT, how soon after that Who Took the Money will make his bid is entirely up to him.
Stakes advances are below in the order they will be run on the card.
GEORGE ALLAN BRYANT LOOKS FOR FIRST LA STAKES TO CAP OFF THE YEAR HE BEAT CANCER: ANGELA CELERITY IN THE LADIES STARTER
Thompson Racing’s 3-year-old filly Angela’s Celerity will take on six older females going six furlongs in the $50,000 Louisiana Champions Day Ladies Starter for state-breds who have started for a claiming price of $5,000 or less in 2021-2022. The recent addition to George Allan Bryant’s barn makes her third step up in class since he claimed her for $7,500 on Oct 12.
“I added blinkers last out,” Bryant said. “She missed the break and made a mad dash late and galloped out in front of a really tough bunch of open fillies. Delta’s stretch isn’t very long and she made up ground. I believe she is a sprinter and I think the Fair Grounds stretch will suit her.”
Less than a year into his career as a trainer, this will be Bryant’s first runner at Fair Grounds. Last year at this time, Bryant was in the throes of his battle against Stage 4 oral cancer, which he beat, ringing the bell on Jan 28, 2022.
“My dad (George R. Bryant) was a trainer and I always loved going to the barn with him and working with him,” Bryant said. “He retired right before my cancer and after my cancer I realized that if I were to die and never train on my own, I would really regret it. So I went all in, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. I love this sport and the horses.”
Bryant brought his barn in from Texas and sent out his first runner in Louisiana this past August at Louisiana Downs. After winning one in Bossier City, he moved down to Vinton. He’s sent out 18 runners at Delta Downs and racked up three wins and one third through Dec 6. Having faced stakes-level company twice before in Texas, Saturday will be Bryant’s first entry at this level in Louisiana. Adam Beschizza will ride the 15-1 morning line longshot Angela Celerity from post No. 6.
Puzzling Priority finished third in the common allowance race with Angela’s Celerity Nov. 19 at Delta. The 4-time winning 4-year-old has flashed some speed, but she seems to run best with a target. Her trainer Lee Thomas has had early success this meet at Fair Grounds, winning three races from nine starters through Dec 7. Tabbed at 9-2 by Mike Diliberto, Portilla drew post 7 and will be guided by Pedro Cotto, Jr.
Only a head separated Ourperfectprincess, Zydeco Music, and Galaxy Thirtysix as they filled out the trifecta in Fair Grounds’ opening day finale. Gina Ney’s Galaxy’s Thirtysix got the win flying late but the other two did all the dirty work on the front end, dueling from go-to-woah.
Scheduled as race 1 with a 1:15 p.m. CT post time, here is the complete field for the Louisiana Champions Day Ladies Starter from the rail out (with jockey, trainer, and morning line odds): Rockett Magic (Colby Hernandez, Edward Romero, 20-1 ), Ourperfectprincess (Jose Riquelme, Kenneth Hargrave, 3-1 ), Galaxy Thirtysix (Rey Gutierrez Rey, John Ney, 2-1), See Sassy Run (Devin Magnon, Ricky Courville, 12-1), Zydeco Music (Jose Luis Rodriguez, Shane Wilson, 9-5), Angela’s Celerity (Adam Beschizza, George Allan Bryant, 15-1 ), and Puzzling Priority (Pedro Cotto Jr., Lee Thomas, 10-1).
NOT ON HERB LOOKS TO DEFEND HIS COURT IN THE JUVENILE AGAINST TWO BRED BY COTEAU GROVE
Of the seven colts entered in the 6-furlong $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile, two are bred by Couteau Grove: Tumbarumba and Late September. Both are serious contenders, but as the winner of the Peluso Stakes, it’s Not On Herb’s court until another 2-year-old proves otherwise.
Ivery Sisters Racing’s Not On Herb proved yet again that the best offense is a good defense. Striking the front in the Peluso, the First Samurai juvenile fended off a late bid from Late September by not holding back at the top of the stretch and keeping the field at bay. In the final strides, Calicoco rallied late to beat out Late September for second. The two-for-two speedster out of Ron Faucheux’s barn, Not On Herb – a reference to Pelicans’ forward Herb Jones – breaks between the two Coteau Grove-bred runners in post No. 6. Jockey Jareth Loveberry will likely look to execute a similar game plan but the 7-2 morning line signals bettors might get a juicier price.
“He was out on the track on Friday (Dec 2) and moving well,” Faucheux said. “He impressed us in the Peluso, and we’re excited to see what this guy can do in the (Juvenile).”
Louisiana-bred 2-year-olds can run but they can’t hide from Tumbarumba. In his gate-to-wire maiden-breaker last month at Churchill Downs, Amerman Racing’s son of Oscar Performance earned a 91 Brisnet Speed figure, more than 10 points higher than any other last-out effort in the field. Florent Geroux took trainer Brian Lynch’s call and will ride the 5-2 favorite from post No. 5.
Coteau Grove Farms bred another main threat in the Juvenile, Kevin Stedman’s Late September. The son of Munnings broke his maiden against restricted company going 4 1/2 furlongs last May at Churchill. After that, he flew to England to run in the Group 2 Coventry at Royal Ascot, where he finished last. Returning to Louisiana, he won the seven furlong Legacy at Delta Downs in October and then ran a hard-trying third over a sloppy track in the Peluso opening weekend at Fair Grounds. Already with nine wins under his belt, newcomer Jose Luis Rodriguez will stay aboard, breaking from post No. 7.
Tye E. Smith’s Calicoco showed some serious late kick in the Peluso slop and could be dangerous with a move forward in his third race. Trainer Shane Wilson keeps the reins in the hands of Alex Castillo, and both have been hot through the opening weeks of the meet, each with seven total wins (as of Sunday), only one coming as a combo.
Scheduled as race 3 with a post time of 2:15 p.m. CT, here is the complete field for the Juvenile Stakes from the rail out (with jockey, trainer, and morning line odds): Ranch Water (Timothy Thornton Timothy, Allen Landry, 15-1), Calicoco (Alexander Castillo, Shane Wilson, 6-1), Half Full (Colby Hernandez, Eduardo Ramirez, 9-2), The Boss Soss (Joe Stokes Joe, Allen Landry, 6-1), Tumbarumba (Florent Geroux, Brian Lynch, 5-2), Not On Herb (Jareth Loveberry, Ron Faucheux, 7-2), and Late September (Jose Luis Rodriguez Jose Camejo, 4-1).
CALHOUN AND WEST CLASH IN THE LASSIE AS FREE DROP MADDY AND NORAH G LOOK TO REPLICATE THEIR BIG OPENING DAY RUNS
Take your pick from opening day. Both Free Drop Maddyand Norah G looked sensational winning their respective races, and both of their trainers report they are entering the six furlong $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Lassie ready to take on each other and the rest of the eight fillies.
After a dull outing at Delta Downs in the Jewel Stakes, Mansfield Racing‘s Free Drop Maddy took a tremendous step forward winning the $75,000 Ferguson, her second stakes victory, with July’s Texas Thoroughbred Association Futurity being her first. Fair Grounds leading trainer (as of Sunday) Bret Calhoun, who won this race in 2009 with Speedacious, teams up with jockey Rey Gutierrez.
“I was very impressed with her last race,” Calhoun said. “She’s coming into this race every bit as good. I don’t think the extra (1/2 furlong) distance is an issue for her at all. In fact in some of her races she might have done better going longer.”
The daughter of Free Drop Billy drew Post No. 4 and earned morning line favoritism at 8-5.
One of two wins on opening day for owner Tom Galvin and trainer Patricia West, Nora G’s 9.5-1 debut stunner had all the hallmarks of what most connections hope to see from their juvenile. She overcame a slow beak and a wide trip, showed her mind was on running when positioning towards the front, and finished strong through the wire, winning by 3 1/4 lengths.
“I think she wants to go two turns,” West said. “She kind of ran like a sprinter the other day but that was just her first time. I feel good about her going into the race. She’s super smart. She’ll overcome things. Nothing bothers her. That is a lot especially with fillies because they get themselves beat with their brains. She’s the coolest cucumber in the barn, so I feel really good about her.”
This Fast Anna filly earned an 85 Brisnet Speed figure last out, and any improvement on that will keep Free Drop Maddy’s hooves full from gate-to-wire as they both have shown forward positioning. Deshawn Parker retains the mount and will guide Norah G from post No. 2.
Scheduled as Race 4 with a 2:45 p.m. post time, here is the complete field for the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Lassie from the rail out (with jockey, trainer, and morning line odds): Tensas Candy (Alexander Castillo, Jorge Lara, 7-2), Norah G (Deshawn Parker, Patricia West, 3-1), Louisiana Liberty (Mitchell Murrill, Steven Flint, 8-1), Free Drop Maddy (Rey Gutierrez, Bret Calhoun, 8-5), Don’tcallmepatsy (Jose Luis Rodriguez, Shane Wilson, 10-1), Louisiana Cowgirl (Emmanuel Nieves, David Gomez, 20-1), Starship Jambalaya (Adam Beschizza, Scott Gelner, 12-1), Addi Bug (Jack Gilligan, David Gomez, 12-1).
OVA CHARGED STRUTS INTO LADIES SPRINT, BUT FREE LIKE A GIRL READY AND WAITING
Brittlyn Stable’s Happy Ticket Stakes winner Ova Charged headlines a field of six older fillies and mares entered in Saturday’s $100,000 Louisiana Champions Ladies Sprint, going six furlongs on the dirt track.
Trained by Jose Camejo, the 6-5 morning line favorite has dominated the division, going 4-for-4 in Louisiana. She took this last year following a thrilling battle with the Prioress (G2) winner Cilla. Graded stakes-placed herself at Belmont in the Victory (G3), Ova Charged has the talent to take on open company, and after her walk-in-the-park win in the Happy Ticket over Louisiana Champions Preview Weekend, her connections let it be known after that race they hope to bring their 4-year-old by Star Guitar to the national stage in 2023. Drawing post No. 5, just inside of her stablemate Spirited Beauty, Ova Charged will get the services of newcomer Jose Luis Rodriguez, who has won four for Camejo out of 12 starts.
Think this race will be handed to Ova Charged on a silver platter? Think again. With multiple graded stakes placings notched in her belt, Gerald Bruno Jr., Carl Deville, Chasey Pomier, and Jerry Caroom’sFree Like A Girl is the kind of force the lightly-raced Ova Charged has not had to face since Cilla. Owner/trainer Chasey Pomier has entered the 3-year-old filly by El Deal against the likes of Society in the Charles Town Oaks (G3) and Juju’s Map in the Remington Park Oaks (G3). She was stunned by the 93-1 shot Buckley Bunny in the Lassie on this day last year, but returned to Fair Grounds three weeks later to win the Louisiana Futurity. A versatile filly, she’s dangerous on the lead around two turns and from off the pace down the stretch in sprints, she ran a dull fifth over a muddy track last out at Delta Downs in the Treasure Chest. Legging up for the 17th time, Pedro Cotto Jr. has the rail draw.
Scheduled as race 5 with a 3:23 p.m. CT post time, here is the complete field for the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Ladies Sprint from the rail out (with jockey, trainer, and morning line odds): Free Like a Girl (Pedro Cotto Jr., Chasey Pomier, 7-5), Snowball (Colby Hernandez, Samuel Breaux, 8-1), Wupkar (Brian Hernandez Jr., Bret Calhoun, 8-1), Half Koo Koo (Marcelino Pedroza Jr., Sam David Jr., 20-1), Ova Charged (Jose Luis Rodriguez Jose Camejo, 6-5), and Spirited Beauty (David Cohen, Jose Camejo, 6-1).
A WIDE-OPEN INAUGURAL RUNNING OF THE STARTER IS POSITIONED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NEW 15% TAKEOUT PICK 6 AND LATE PICK 5
The form, the class level, the speed figures – there’s little difference between the ten older males who entered the 5 1/2 furlong $50,000 Louisiana Champions Day Starter.
Of the ten evenly-matched runners, Mike Diliberto hung 4-1 morning line odds on the favoriteAlterana upwards of 20-1 on last-out winner Inthealy, foreshadowing that the first edition of this race will be a strong betting event.
Winalot Racing’s two entries, Secret Vista and Mr. Production, both could wreak havoc and offer betting value.
Leading trainer around these parts for two years straight, Ron Faucheux sends out Mr. Production, who dueled in the slop against optional claimers on opening weekend. The seven-time winner showed once again how dangerous he is with the lead. Beat to the wire by fellow Starter foe Cryptozonic in the final strides that day, Mr. Production faced pressure the entire way, and he fought back gamely when headed late. Inked at 9-2, the 6-year-old horse will break from post No. 5 under Jareth Loveberry.
Secret Vista ran on this day last year, but in the Louisiana Champions Day Classic. In his next start, trainer Justin Jeansonne claimed him for $12,000 then moved him up in class where he won a $15,000 claiming race, earning a new top speed figure in the process.
“We claimed him and shortened him up and he looked good,” Jeansonne said. “We ran him twice last year at Fair Grounds and then being a 5-year-old, we decided to keep him on the bench and target this meet. He’s doing good coming into this and he should be sharp.”
Breaking from the far outside in post No. 10, Adam Beschizza will reunite with 12-1 Secret Vista after riding him in both his starts out of Jeansonne’s barn last meet.
Scheduled as Race 6 with a 3:45 p.m. CT post time, here is the complete field for the $50,000 Louisiana Champions Day Starter from the rail out (with jockey, trainer, and morning line odds): Jeb’s Lucky Eight (James Graham, Frank Pennino, 10-1), Cryptozonic (Alexander Castillo, Joseph Foster, 5-1), Alterana (Gerard Melancon, Keith Charles, 4-1), Inthealy (Erika Murray, Whitney Zeringue, Jr., 20-1), Mr. Production (Jareth Loveberry, Ron Faucheux, 9-2), Golden Palace (Emanuel Nieves, Cesar Govea, 6-1 ), Reckless Ransom (Mitchell Murrill, Joseph Foster, 6-1) Dixie Street (Tracy Hebert, Sean Alfortish, 6-1), Zelig (Deshawn Parker, Gary Johnson, 8-1), and Secret Vista (Adam Beschizza, Justin Jeansonne, 12-1).
A G’S CHARLOTTE ENTERS THE DISTAFF LOOKING TO BACK UP BIG WORLD PERFORMANCE
Five runners from the Big World will look for revenge on Thomas Galvin’s A G’s Charlotte in the 1 1/16 miles $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Distaff. The 3-year-old Mo Tom filly surprised many by coming from ten lengths back with a late run to nail Winning Romance by 3/4 length. At 9.90-1 she earned not only her first stakes victory, but the first for trainer Patricia West.
“She’s doing great, hasn’t missed a lick,” West said. “She’s exactly the same going into this race as she was heading into the Big World. She’s the most consistent filly. She doesn’t disappoint.”
Deemed the 3-1 second-favorite in the morning line, A G’s Charlotte will begin from post No. 6 carrying jockey Marcelino Pedroza Jr.
After firing a big effort when leading the charge behind run-off leader Cheapskate Diva in the Big World, a second-place finish left Allied Racing’s Winning Romance’s connections scratching their heads.
“I really haven’t been able to figure out how we got beat,” her trainer Bret Calhoun said. “We might have had to move a little bit early with the horse on the lead being loose. Honestly I thought she would win that day and was disappointed she didn’t win. Hopefully she’ll bounce back and get the job done. She went into that race fantastic and she’s coming into his race doing fantastic.”
Deshawn Parker retains the mount on the 8-5 favorite in the Distaff and will look to break sharply from post No. 3. The 2022 Lanerie Stakes winner finished second to Fort Polk in this race last year.
Steve and Pat Roe’s Fort Polk finished third in the Big World and has not won at the stakes-level or on the dirt since winning the 2021 Distaff. The 6-year-old Behindatthebar mare is seeking her tenth win as her trainer Pat Mouton eyes his first win of the Fair Grounds meet. Made 4-1 in the morning line, Emmanuel Nieves will stay aboard to break from post No. 8.
Scheduled as race 7 with a 4:27 p.m. CT post time, here is the complete field for the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Distaff from the rail out (with jockey, trainer, and morning line odds): Lutie Mo (Joe Stokes, Allen Landry, 20-1), Eve’s Delight (Alexander Castillo, Garland Goins, 12-1), Winning Romance (Deshawn Parker, Bret Calhoun, 8-5), Cheapskate Diva (James Graham, Joseph Felks, 6-1), She’s Gone d’Wild (Rey Gutierrez, Bret Calhoun, 10-1), A G’s Charlotte (Marcelino Pedroza Jr., Patricia West, 3-1), Wholelottamo (Adam Beschizza, Jayde Gelner, 12-1), and Fort Polk (Emmanuel Nieves, Patrick Mouton, 4-1).
FIVE FROM THE SCOTTS SCOUNDREL ENTER THE $150,000 CLASSIC ALONG WITH THREE FRESH FACES
Eight older males were entered for Saturday’s 1 1/8 miles $150,000 Louisiana Champions Day Classic, including Allied Racing’s Scott’s Scoundrel Stakes winner Who Took the Money. Finishing with his signature late burst of interest, his to 2 1/4 lengths margin didn’t dissuade the runner-up and third place finisher, Behemah Star and Highland Creek, from taking another shot at the 4-5 morning line favorite. They’ll be going farther this time, but that might only play into the son of Street Boss’ hands.
“I love one mile and 1/8th for Who Took the Money,” Calhoun said. “Most of his recent races he’s broken, settled in back, and made that late run, finishing up very strongly. I think the distance will be a positive for him.”
Deshawn Parker has been aboard this free-thinker seven out of his last eight races, winning each but the Star Guitar Stakes last spring where he took damage from both sides out of the gate and his rally to the 1 1/16 miles finish line fell short. His stablemate Highland Creek finished ahead of him but it was Behemah Star’s shining moment, winning the race named for his sire. Who Took the Money’s longest journey in his 13-race career will begin from post No. 7.
Finishing second behind Grand Luweege in 2021’s edition of the Classic, Highland Creek enters this year with faster figures but fewer recent wins. Penned at 6-1 in the morning line, the other Allied Racing-owned Calhoun-trained runner prefers to press the front of the pack, and time and again has shown the tenacity to dig in when the finish line is in sight.
“I thought he ran too good to lose in the last race,” Calhoun said. “He ran extremely hard, did all the dirty work, and ended up getting nailed late. He doesn’t give me any reason to think he’s not going to bring that race right back. I think he can be on the pace or off it if need be. Last time we just happened to find ourselves up in positions and went along with it.”
Adam Beschizza will work from post No. 4 to figure out the proper tactics to return Highland Creek to the winner’s circle.
Cross-entered in the Sprint, Set-Hut’s Touchuponastar’s presence in the Classic could keep all these familiar runners on their toes. Over eight lengths better than the field when winning his last race on the lead going seven furlongs at Delta Downs, no other runner than Who Took the Money and Maga Man has posted a Brisnet Speed figure as high as the 97 he earned. This will by far be the toughest competition he’s faced. Trainer Jeff Delhomme brings Touchuponastar’s regular jockey Timothy Thornton in from Delta, and with his gate speed he’ll have first dibs on the rail breaking from post No. 3.
Other top horses entered into the Classic include Brittlyn Stable’s Behemah Star who has three wins on the local track and George Messina and Michael Lee’s Ballinonabudjet who will make his first start out of Brad Cox’s barn since being claimed for $20,000 out of a resounding open company score at Churchill on Nov. 18.
Scheduled as race 8 with a 4:59 p.m. CT post time, here is the complete field for the $150,000 Louisiana Champions Day Classic from the rail out (with jockey, trainer, and morning line odds): Maga Man (Joe Stokes, Norman Miller III, 20-1), Cosmic Train (James Graham, Jerry Delhomme, 20-1), Touchuponastar (Timothy Thornton, Jeff Delhomme, 6-1), Highland Creek (Adam Beschizza, Bret Calhoun, 6-1), Behemah Star (Jose Luis Rodriguez, Jose Camejo, 9-2), Ballinonabudjet (Florent Geroux, Brad Cox, 8-1), Who Took the Money (Deshawn Parker, Bret Calhoun, 4-5), and Beauregard (Rey Gutierrez, David Gomez, 20-1).
AN OVERSUBSCRIBED FIELD OF 16 ENTERED FOR THE $100,000 SPRINT
Trained by Ron Faucheux, Bertie’s Galaxy ran a valiant second in last year’s edition of Louisiana Champions Day Sprint before getting worn down at the wire by stablemate Monte Man. A two-time Louisiana Legends Sprint winner at Evangeline Downs, the 6-year-old gelding finished sixth as the odds-on favorite in the prep named for his legendary stablemate Monty Man last month. Bertie’s Galazy will face many of the same foes on Saturday, including the neighbor in the gates who hindered his chance at winning.
In the Monte Man, Brian’s Iron Mike broke from the 1 hole and took a hard right, cutting off the speedster Bertie’s Galaxy who broke from post No. 2, putting him seven lengths behind the field. At 7-2 in the morning line, the lukewarm favorite Bertie’s Galaxy drew post No. 12 and will be ridden by Jareth Loveberry.
“He worked (Saturday Dec 3) and looked great,” Faucheux said. “He came out of the Monte Man doing well. They got the jump on him and he couldn’t get in a good spot. He’ll be ready to roll in the Sprint.”
Immediately to his inside is the Monte Man Stakes-winner Brian’s Iron Mike in post No. 11. After piloting Hat Racing’s 3-year-old by Iron Fist to his first stakes title, Joe Stokes retains the mount and if he retains the strategy, the break will be everything. Mike Diliberto pegs him as the 5-1 second favorite. One of two with those honors and odds.
Cross-entered in the Classic, Set-Hut’s Touchuponastar’s presence in the Sprint could shake things up. The owner of the field’s highest speed figure has won his last two races by over 15 lengths, but in an abbreviated 3-year-old season, the son of Star Guitar has yet to win a stake. Trainer Jeff Delhomme brings Touchuponastar’s regular jockey Timothy Thornton in from Delta and he’ll aim to overcome post No. 14.
Scheduled as race 9 with a 5:45 p.m. CT post time, here is the complete field for the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Sprint from the rail out (with jockey, trainer, and morning line odds): Jax Man (Marcelino Pedroza Jr., Sam David Jr., 15-1) Schnell (Deshawn Parker, Shane Wilson, 20-1) Big Chopper (Corey Lanerie, Scott Gelner, 10-1), Janets Jay Jay (Jamie Theriot, Howard Alonzo, 20-1), Mike J (Pedro Cotto Jr., Lee Thomas, 50-1) Win Ya Win (Adam Beschizza, Jose Camejo, 10-1), Takes Two to Tango (Rey Gutierrez, Luis Garcia, 8-1), Yankee Seven (Emmanuel Nieves, Cesar Govea, 20-1), Unified Report (Brian Hernandez Jr., Dallas Stewart, 12-1), Creole Charlie (James Graham, Howard Alonzo, 10-1), Brian’s Iron Mike (Joe Stokes, Allen Landry, 5-1), Bertie’s Galaxy (Jareth Loveberry, Ron Faucheux, 7-2), Relentless Dancer (Gerard Melancon, Keith Bourgeois, 10-1), Touchuponastar (Timothy Thornton, Jeff Delhomme, 5-1), AE Scarlettsblackjack (Jose Luis Rodriguez, Sarah Delany, 6-1), and AE Feisty Fist (Mitchell Murrill, Steven Flint, 12-1).
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