An overflow field of 14 is set for the 1 3/16-mile test at Fair Grounds March 21.
John Oxley’s Enforceable has been tabbed a lukewarm 7-2 morning-line favorite in an overflow field of 14 3-year-olds for the $1 million Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) March 21 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.
Two also-eligibles await defections in the race previously run over nine furlongs on dirt. The Louisiana Derby will be run at 1 3/16 miles for the first time Saturday. The third and final prep at Fair Grounds for the Run for the Roses is worth 100-40-20-10 points to the top four finishers on the Road to the Kentucky Derby.
NEW ORLEANS, LA., (March 13, 2020) – Churchill Downs Incorporated (“CDI”) (Nasdaq: CHDN) announced today amid public health concerns regarding COVID-19, all live races beginning immediately through the remainder of the racing meet ending March 29 will be conducted spectator-free with only essential staff, credentialed horsemen and media in attendance. The Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds Race Course will run as scheduled on Saturday, March 21 under the same spectator restrictions. Pari-mutuel wagering will also be closed to the public at Fair Grounds through the remainder of the meet. The on-site slot facility and off-site OTB and video poker operations will remain open to patrons as usual.
The safety and health of guests, employees and participants remain of primary concern and the team at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots will continue to take every precaution to ensure the comfort and safety of those in attendance. We continue to work very closely with Governor Edwards and Lieutenant Governor Nungesser, Mayor Cantrell and the Louisiana Racing Commission in order to comply with all public health orders regarding COVID-19 and make the most responsible decision for everyone involved.
Preparations to host Kentucky Derby 146 on the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs are currently still moving forward. With the event still seven weeks away, a decision will be made closer to that date, with respect to postponing the event until later in the year, using the most recent information while working with and seeking guidance from public health experts and authorities.
Risen Star division two winner Modernist &
Lecomte victor Enforceable likely to headline field of 14
New Orleans (March 12, 2020) – According to Fair Grounds’ racing secretary Scott Jones, with the draw just two days away, at least 19 horses have designs on competing in the $1 million Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby (G2), to be run as part of an eight-stakes extravaganza on Saturday, March 21. The field will be limited to 14 starters, with two horses listed as “also eligibles”, First preference will be given to graded or group winners in order (grade I, II, III), and then to horses that have accumulated the highest lifetime earnings.
Previously run over nine furlongs on dirt, the distance of Louisiana Derby will be run at 1 3/16ths miles for the first time. The third and final local prep for the Run for the Roses, the Louisiana Derby is worth 100-40-20-10 points to the top four finishers on the Road to the $3 million Kentucky Derby (G1) presented by Woodford Reserve. Run at 1 1/16 miles, the 52nd running of the $400,000 Twinspires.com Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) for 3-year-old fillies offers the same number of points en route to the $1.25 million Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1).
Headlining the list of expected Louisiana Derby runners is Pam and Martin Wygod’s Modernist, winner of the second division of the Risen Star (G2) presented by Lamarque Ford-Lincoln, and John Oxley’s Enforceable, who won the Lecomte (G3) in advance of a second place run behind the recently sidelined Mr. Monomoy in the first division of the Risen Star.
Off five consecutive victories, including a recent score in the Rachel Alexandra (G2) presented by Fasig-Tipton, Winchell Thoroughbreds and J. R. Thomas’ Finite is expected to be the defined favorite in the Twinspires.com Fair Grounds Oaks (G2).
With an early first post of 11 a.m. CDT, the 13-race Louisiana Derby Day card will feature eight stakes worth a total of $2.425 million. A pair of nine furlong, high-impact events for older horses are also scheduled on the program – the $400,000 New Orleans Classic (G2) and the $300,000 Muniz Memorial Stakes (G2), to be run over the Stall-Wilson Turf Course. In addition, four undercard stakes are slated for the lucrative card, including the $100,000 Tom Benson Memorial for older fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles on grass and a trio of Louisiana-bred events – the $75,000 Costa Rising Stakes, a 5½-furlong turf sprint, the $75,000 Crescent City Derby for 3-year-old males at 1 1/16 miles and the $75,000 Crescent City Oaks for females at 1 mile and 70 yards.
Among those pointed for the New Orleans Classic are the Bret Calhoun-trained pair of 2019 Louisiana Derby champ By My Standards for Allied Racing and multiple graded stakes winner Silver Dust for Tom Durant. China Horse Club International Ltd and WinStar Farm LLC’s Fearless, who is undefeated from two starts, is expected to make his stakes debut in the New Orleans for trainer Todd Pletcher. The 4-year-old son of Ghostzapper recently won a first-level allowance over 1 1/16 miles at Gulfstream by 8 ½ lengths while under wraps, earning a 107 Bris speed figure in the process.
Trainer Chad Brown, who won last year’s Muniz with eventual Horse of the Year Bricks and Mortar, has a trio of lawnmowers pointed to this year’s renewal: Oxo Equine LLC’s Instilled Regard, a recent winner of the Ft. Lauderdale (G2) at Gulfstream, Sanford J. Goldfarb and Samuel Abraham’s Devamani (FR), who just missed in the Tampa Bay (G3) last out, and Madaket Stables LLC, Michael Dubb, Wonder Stables, Michael E. Kisberr and Bethlehem Stable LLC’s Euro import Rockemperor (IRE), who will be making his third U. S. start in what will be his 4-year-old debut. Gaining Ground Racing LLC’s Factor This and Pin Oak Stable’s Synchrony, one-two in the Fair Grounds (G3) last month, are also expected for the Muniz.
The official Louisiana Derby post-position draw will take place on Saturday, March 14 at 11 a.m. CDT on the fourth floor of the Fair Grounds clubhouse.
The draw will be hosted by track announcer John G. Dooley with commentary from racing analyst Joe Kristufek and Mike Diliberto’s Louisiana Derby morning line will be revealed.
The event is open to the public and there will be photo and interview opportunities for the media. It will also be broadcast on “Facebook Live” via the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots Facebook page.
As the first leg of their “Road to the Kentucky Derby” coverage, NBCSN will broadcast both the Fair Grounds Oaks and Louisiana Derby LIVE from 5 to 6 p.m. EDT. Ahmed Fareed, Jerry Bailey and Randy Moss will anchor the coverage.
Possible runners for the Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby, according to Fair Grounds racing secretary Scott Jones.
Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots has announced that 56 stakes worth a combined $7.13 million will be offered during the upcoming 2019-20 racing season, which is set to begin Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 28.
“We are proud to once again continue our growth and support of the thoroughbred racing industry with our purse allocations and this diverse and dynamic stakes schedule” said Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots president Doug Shipley. “We look forward to our 148th racing season and the continuation of bringing many of the best horsemen and jockeys from around the world to enjoy the high caliber racing at Fair Grounds in New Orleans.”
The “Louisiana Derby Day” card on March 21 will feature eight stakes worth a total of $2.425 million, including the 107th running of the Grade 2 $1 million Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby for 3-year-olds.
Previously run over nine furlongs on dirt, the distance of Louisiana Derby has been extended to 1 3/16th miles. The third and final local prep on the Road to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve, the race is worth 100-40-20-10 points to the top four finishers. Run at 1 1/16 miles, the 52nd running of the G2 $400,000 Twinspires.com Fair Grounds Oaks for 3-year-old fillies offers the same number of points en route to the G1 $1.25 million Longines Kentucky Oaks.
“We’ve also lengthened the Lecomte from 1 mile and 70 yards to 1 1/16 miles and the Risen Star from 1 1/16 miles to nine furlongs,” said Fair Grounds’ racing secretary Scott Jones. “The Lecomte has always been a popular early season prep for the horsemen and we wanted to provide the horses a longer run into the first turn. The elongated distances of the Risen Star and Louisiana Derby will help differentiate our races from the other Kentucky Derby preps. We consulted with key participants from recent years, and they were in favor of the slight alterations.”
We are proud to once again note 2019 has been a banner year for 3-year-olds who campaigned at Fair Grounds:
G2 Risen Star runner-up Country House, who was also fourth in the Louisiana Derby, was the adjudicated winner of the G1 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.
G3 Lecomte and G2 Risen Star winner War of Will won the G1 Preakness Stakes at Pimlico.
Serengeti Empress and Liora, the one-two finishers in the G2 Rachel Alexandra, also ran first and second in the G1 Kentucky Oaks at Churchill Downs.
Street Band, winner of the G2 Twinspires.com Fair Grounds Oaks, won the G3 Indiana Oaks at Indiana Grand and the G1 Cotillion at Parx.
G3 Lecomte runner-up Hog Creek Hustle, who also competed in the G2Risen Star and G1Louisiana Derby won the G1 Woody Stephens at Belmont.
Mr. Money, who competed in both the G2 Risen Star and G1 Louisiana Derby, rattled off four consecutive G3 victories prior to finishing second in the G1 Pennsylvania Derby.
A pair of nine furlong, high-impact stakes for older horses are also scheduled on the Louisiana Derby Day program – the G2 $400,000 New Orleans Classic and the G2 $300,000 Muniz Memorial Stakes, to be run over the Stall-Wilson Turf Course. In addition, four undercard stakes are slated for the lucrative card, including the $100,000 Tom Benson Memorial for older fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles on grass and a trio of Louisiana-bred events – the $75,000 Costa Rising Stakes, a 5½-furlong turf sprint, the $75,000 Crescent City Derby for 3-year-old males at 1 1/16 miles and the $75,000 Crescent City Oaks for females at 1 mile and 70 yards.
On January 18, the “Road to the Derby Kickoff Day presented by Hotel Monteleone” features a pair of key 3-year-old events — the G3 $200,000 Lecomte Stakes, now run at 1 1/16 miles, and the $150,000 Silverbulletday Stakes for fillies at 1 mile and 70 yards. The top four finishers in each race receive 10-4-2-1 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby and Oaks respectively.
Four stakes for older horses will also be presented on the January 18 program — the $125,000 Colonel E.R. Bradley Stakes at 1 1/16 miles over the Stall-Wilson Turf Course, the $100,000 Louisiana Stakes at 1 1/16 miles, the $100,000 Duncan F. Kenner Stakes at six furlongs and the $100,000 Marie G. Krantz Memorial Stakes for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles on grass.
On February 15, “Louisiana Derby Preview Day presented by Lamarque Ford-Lincoln” features a pair of key 3-year-old stakes — the Grade II $400,000 Risen Star Stakes presented by Lamarque Ford-Lincoln, now run at 1 1/8 miles, and the Grade II $300,000 Rachel Alexandra Stakes presented by Fasig-Tipton, increased by $100,000 for this year’s renewal, for fillies to be contested over 1 1/16 miles. The top four finishers receive 40-20-10-5 points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby and Oaks respectively.
The Rachel Alexandra has produced the last two Kentucky Oaks winners in Monomoy Girl (2018) and Serengeti Empress (2019) and 2014 winner Untapable also took down the Run for the Lilies. The Fair Grounds is hopeful the Rachel Alexandra will soon achieve the Grade 1 status is deserves.
Four stakes for older horses will also be presented on the February 15 program — the G3 $200,000 Mineshaft Stakes at 1 1/16 miles, the G3 $150,000 Fair Grounds Stakes for at nine furlongs on turf, the $100,000 Colonel Power Stakes at 5½ furlongs on turf and the $100,000 Albert M. Stall Memorial Stakes for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles on turf.
The December 21 “Santa Super Saturday presented by Coca-Cola” card offers a six-pack of $75,000 stakes. Four of the races are for older horses — the Tenacious Stakes at 1 mile and 70 yards, the Bonapaw Stakes at 5 ½ furlongs on turf, the Blushing K.D. for fillies and mares at 1 1/16 miles on turf, and the Buddy Diliberto Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on turf. The other two are six furlong events for juveniles – the Sugar Bowl Stakes for the boys and the Letellier Memorial Stakes for the girls.
Louisiana Champions Day presented by Acadian Ambulance will be held on December 14. With the races run over various divisions and distances on both dirt and turf, the program features ten stakes restricted to Louisiana-breds. Each Louisiana Champions Day is worth $100,000 with the exception of the Louisiana Champions Day Classic, which carries a $150,000 purse.
Named in honor of the Hall of Fame jockey who passed away in August, The Randy P. Romero Memorial Overnight Stakes (formerly Captain Maestri) will be run on February 1 (3-year-olds, one mile on turf).
Named in honor of the longtime horse racing reporter and author who passed away in July, The Bob Fortus Memorial Stakes (formerly the Tiffany Lass) will be run on December 26 (fillies and mares, 3-year-olds and up, 1 mile 70 yards on dirt)
Stakes races named last racing season in honor of the late Thoroughbred owner and New Orleans icon Tom Benson, who owned the NFL’s New Orleans Saints and NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans, and Shantel Lanerie, the late wife of long-time jockey Corey Lanerie and the inspiration for the Shantel Lanerie Breast Cancer Foundation, also remain on the schedule on March 21 and February 8 respectively.
Take note that the open undercard stakes on “Road to Derby Kickoff”, “Louisiana Derby Preview Day” and “Louisiana Derby Day” as well as the Thanksgiving Day Classic will now be run for $100,000, up from $75,000. In addition, Fair Grounds has eliminated handicap conditions for stakes races. These races will now be weighted under allowance conditions.
The 80-day, 2019-20 Fair Grounds racing season run conclude Sunday, March 29. Regular post time will be 12:30 p.m. CT. The exceptions are Louisiana Derby Day (March 21 at 11 a.m. CT), “Twilight Racing” (December 7 and January 25 at 3 p.m. CT) and “Starlight Racing” (March 13 and 27 at 5 p.m. CT).
“On the heels of a banner 2018-19 season, we’re excited to offer another outstanding stakes program to horsemen and fans,” said Fair Grounds’ racing secretary Scott Jones. “Our biggest days are direct feeders into the Kentucky Derby and Oaks, and the recent results of the horses who have participated with us in New Orleans speak for themselves. This year will be no exception. We are equally excited to see an enhancement in purse money for some of our stakes and we are confident that the program and our day to day racing product we will be well supported by our horsemen.”
New Orleans track to award nearly $7 million in stakes purses.
Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots has announced that 56 stakes worth a total of $6.87 million will be up for grabs for this upcoming 2018-19 racing season, which is set to begin on Thursday, November 15.
Headlining the stakes program is Louisiana Derby Day on March 23, which is the signature day of racing at the New Orleans oval and will feature eight stakes events worth nearly $2.4 million. Highlighting the lucrative stakes program is the 106th running of the Grade II $1 million Louisiana Derby – the final of three local prep races for the Grade I $2 million Kentucky Derby Presented by Woodford Reserve. The Louisiana Derby’s sister race, the Grade II $400,000 Fair Grounds Oaks, will see its 52nd running and will be contested on the same day for three-year-old fillies wishing to qualify for the Grade I $1 million Longines Kentucky Oaks.
The Grade II $400,000 New Orleans Handicap will run for older horses over the main track at a mile-and-an-eighth distance and the Grade II $300,000 Muniz Memorial Handicap will cover the same ground for older horses over the Stall-Wilson Turf Course. Four additional undercard stakes events are also slated for the program and include the $75,000 New Orleans Ladies Stakes for older fillies and mares going a mile-and-a-sixteenth on the grass. The $60,000 Costa Rising Stakes – a 51/2-furlong turf sprint for Louisiana-breds and the Crescent City Oaks and Crescent City Derby for 3-year-old state breds for $75,000, are also scheduled for Louisiana Derby Day.
“We are proud to again host a lucrative and diverse stakes schedule this season,” said Doug Shipley, President, Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. “Whether our strong commitment to providing purse supplements for Louisiana-bred horses, hosting the highest caliber horsemen and competitive jockeys in the country or playing a major factor in the Road to the Kentucky Derby, we look forward to our 147th racing season as it continues to add to the great history of New Orleans racing at Fair Grounds.”
Fair Grounds will host a pair of major stakes days that also include prep races on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. On January 19, Fair Grounds will host Road to the Kentucky Derby Kickoff Day which features the Grade III $200,000 Lecomte Stakes – the first of Fair Grounds’ trio of qualifying races for the First Saturday in May. The day will also include the Silverbulletday Stakes, the first local event for Kentucky Oaks aspirants and the Colonel E.R. Bradley Stakes contested for older horses over the Stall-Wilson Turf Course. Both races carry a $125,000 purse. Three more stakes events make up the action packed day of racing – the Louisiana Stakes for older horses going a mile-and-a-sixteenth on the main track, the Duncan F. Kenner Stakes for older horses going six furlongs on the main track and the Marie G. Krantz Memorial Stakes for fillies and mares on the grass. All three stakes are worth $75,000.
Louisiana Derby Preview Day will take place four weeks later on February 16 and features the Grade II $400,000 Risen Star Stakes which offers points on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. The card includes an additional quintet of stakes races like the Grade II $200,000 Rachel Alexandra Stakes, a qualifying race for the Kentucky Oaks. The mile-and-a-sixteenth event for 3-year-old fillies was the sophomore debut for eventual Kentucky Oaks winner Monomoy Girl in its most recent edition. Also taking place on the day are the Grade III $150,000 Mineshaft Handicap for older horses going a mile-and-a-sixteenth on the main track, the Grade III $150,000 Fair Grounds Handicap for older horses going a mile-and-an-eighth on the turf, the $75,000 Colonel Power Stakes for older horses on the turf going 51/2 furlongs and the $75,000 Albert M. Stall Memorial Stakes for older fillies and mares going a mile-and-a-sixteenth on the turf.
Other important stakes days at Fair Grounds include Louisiana Champions Day on December 8. The program features ten stakes that cover different divisions and are restricted to Louisiana-breds. All stakes races are worth $100,000 with the exception of the Louisiana Champions Day Classic, which carries a $150,000 purse.
The Tenacious Stakes (3-year-olds and upward on the main track going one mile and 70 yards), the Bonapaw Stakes (3-year-olds and upward on the turf going 51/2 furlongs), the Blushing K.D. (older fillies and mares on the turf going a mile-and-a-sixteenth), the Buddy Diliberto Stakes (3-year-olds and upward on the turf going a mile-and-a-sixteenth), and the six-furlong Sugar Bowl Stakes for 2-year-old colts and Letellier Memorial Stakes for 2-year-old fillies make up Santa Super Saturday, scheduled for December 22. The sextet of stakes races are worth $75,000 each.
Notable changes to the stakes program include an increase in purse money. All open company stakes events that were worth $50,000 last season were each given a $25,000 enhancement. This boost was given to ten stakes races – the Richard R. Scherer Memorial Stakes (December 1), the December 22 Letellier Memorial Stakes and Sugar Bowl Stakes, the Tiffany Lass Stakes (December 26), the Pan Zareta Stakes (January 5), the Nelson J. Menard Memorial Stakes (February 2), the Colonel Power Stakes (February 16), the Black Gold Stakes (March 2), the Allen LaCombe Stakes (March 9) and the New Orleans Ladies Stakes (March 23).
The stakes program will be kicked off by the $50,000 Tom Benson Overnight Stakes on Opening Night, Thursday, November 15. Named in honor of the late Thoroughbred co-owner and husband of Gayle Benson, the New Orleans icon was co-owner of GMB Racing and the NFL’s New Orleans Saints(r) and NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans(r) until his passing. The one-mile turf event for state-bred fillies and mares was formerly named the Si Cima Overnight Stakes.
Crescent City Oaks
Fair Grounds, 4-1-17, 1 Mile and 70 Yds (dirt)
Three Year Olds, Purse $75,000
Mr. Al’s Gal
Salute The Sarge-Spanish Ice, by Spanish Steps
Owner: Brittleyn Stalbe, Inc.
Breeder: J. Adocok & Neal McFadden
Trainer: Justin Jeansonne
Jockey: E. Eramia
2nd Rose Guitar
Star Guitar-Rose Hunter, by Jade Hunter
Owner: Royce G. Roberts
Breeder: Oak Leaf Farm TCLP
Trainer: Jose R. Mendez
Jockey: Diego Saenz
3rd Moonlightnmidnight
Wilburn–Midnight Delight, by Sea Hero
Owner: West Point Thoroughbreds
Breeder: Allen Guillotte Jr.
Trainer: Dallas Stewart
Jockey: Florent Geroux
Brittlyn Stable’s Mr. Al’s Gal captured her fourth consecutive stakes race with a half-length win in the $75,000 Crescent City Oaks for Louisiana-bred 3-year-olds. Ridden again by Richard Eramia for trainer Ron Faucheux, the daughter of Salute the Sarge assumed command out of the gate and clocked splits of 23.57, 46.50 and 1:11.57 before repelling a late challenge from Royce G. Roberts’ Rose Guitar to complete the one mile and 70 yards trip on the main track in 1:43.06. Rose Guitar, under Diego Saenz for trainer Jose Mendez, was three-quarters of a length to the good of West Point Thoroughbreds’ Dallas-Stewart-trained Moonlightnmidnight, who rallied for third under Florent Geroux.
“She broke really sharp,” Eramia said. “We went a little quick, but she did it by herself. I was waiting, and I was a little worried down the stretch. She backed up a little bit the last sixteenth but we still had the best horse.”
Mr. Al’s Gal earned $45,000 for the win and has now earned $250,280 in a six-race career that has included only one loss. She returned $2.80, $2.40 and $2.10 as the odds-on favorite, with Rose Guitar returning $6 and $4.40 and Moonlightnmidnight paying $4.40.
What’s the Point, Bermuda Star, My Gal Layla, Sashimi Blaster, Madame Begue, E Z’s All Attitude and Naughty Little Nun completed the order of finish. D’wild Muffin was scratched earlier in the day, and Our Millie was scratched just prior to the start.
Crescent City Derby Fair Grounds, 4-1-17, 8.5 Furlongs
Three Year Olds, Purse $75,000
True Emperor Yes It’s True–Queen Ofthe Empire, by Empire Maker
Owner: Casey, Dan and Elite Thoroughbred Racing LLC,
Breeder: Rebecca Farm LLC & T. J. Dickey (LA
Trainer: Lee Thomas
Jockey: Jose Riquelme
2nd Underpressure
Birdstone–Charming Colleen, by Charismatic
Owner: Mallory Greiner,
Breeder: James McIngval
Trainer: Chris Richard
Jockey: Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.
3rd
Jack Snipe’s
Half Ours–Rhodelia, by Silver Deputy
Owners: Jeff Drown and Gary M. Scherer
Breeder: Clear Creek Stud Llc
Trainer: Gary M. Schere
Jockey: David Romero Flores
Two races later, the Louisiana-bred 3-year-old boys had their shot in the $75,000 Crescent City Derby at 1 1/16 miles on the main track. Dan Casey and Elite Thoroughbred Racing’s True Emperor took control out of the gate under Jose Riquelme and was never seriously challenged through splits of 24.16, 48.32 and 1:13.16 before coming home a 2ó-length longshot winner in a final time of 1:44.72.
Trained by Lee Thomas, the son of Yes It’s True easily held Mallory Greiner’s Chris Richard-trained favorite Underpressure, who was ridden by Brian Hernandez, Jr. and finished a head in front of Jeff Drown and owner-trainer Gary Scherer’s Jack Snipe’s in third under David Flores.
True Emperor won for the second time in three career starts and earned $45,000 to boost his career bankroll to $74,330. He returned $60, $20 and $11.60, with Underpressure paying $4.80 and $3.20 and Jack Snipe’s returning $3.60.
Paddy O’Lionel, Tip Tap Tapizar, Set Hut, Imindycatbirdseat, Magic Vow, Rollwithit, Evan Lee G, Big Maurice, Ida’s Warrior and Amp’d Up completed the order of finish.
Costa Rising Stakes
Fair Grounds, 4-1-17, abt. 5.5 Furlongs (turf)
Four Year Olds and Upwards, Purse $60,000
Eden Grey’s Kitten Kitten’s Joy–Steaming Home, by Salt Lake
Owner: Whispering Oaks Farm LLC
Breeder: Danny M. Brown & Donna B. Brown
Trainer: Steven B. Flint,
Jockey: Florent Geroux
2nd Icy Gentleman
Yankee Gentleman–Icy Day, by Five Star Day
Owner: Ironwater Farms Joint Venture
Breeder: Ironwater Farms Joint Venture
Trainer: Henry B. Johnson, Jr.
Jockey: Jorge Guzman
3rd Jockamo’s Song
Half Ours–Miss Clairnette, by Trophy Hunter
Owner: Dare to Dream Stable LLC
Breeder: Debbie Allen & David Allen
Trainer: Michael Stidham
Jockey: Mitchell Murrill
The final of eight stakes races on the 15-race card was won by Whispering Oaks Farm’s Eden Grey’s Kitten, who turned the tables on Dare to Dream Stable’s favored Jockamo’s Song when posting a halflength score in the $60,000 Costa Rising Stakes for Louisiana-breds at 5ó furlongs on the turf. Florent Geroux guided the winner from a perfect, pressing spot for trainer Steve Flint through splits of 22.19 and 45.15 before edging clear late to complete the trip in 1:03.13. Ironwater Farms Joint Venture’s Henry Johnson, Jr.-trained Icy Gentleman tracked the early splits under Jorge Guzman and was able to nose out the Mike Stidham-trained Jockamo’s Song for second, with the latter ridden by Mitchell Murrill.
The win was Eden Grey’s Kitten’s seventh from 21 career starts and earned him $36,000 to increase his career bankroll to $228,260. The son of Kitten’s Joy returned $9.60, $5.40 and $3.20, with Icy Gentleman paying $8.40 and $5.60 and Jockamo’s Song returning $2.80.
Hail to the Nile, Brilliant Interest, Rock N Sake, Nubin Ridge, Just Kissing Buck, My Friend Flavin,Jazzy Rebel and Hunker Down completed the runner order.
Ridden by Florent Geroux, Gun Runner, who paid $9.80 to win as the third choice in a field of 10, is headed to the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I).
“He’s a very quality horse,” trainer Steve Asmussen said. “We’re very excited about the race he ran today and looking forward to his next race.”
Candy My Boy, fourth in the Feb. 20 Risen Star, took the early lead and maintained control through fractions of :23.54 for the opening quarter-mile, :48.24 for a half-mile, and 1:12.94 for six furlongs withDazzling Gem and Gun Runner in close pursuit. The latter took over past one mile in 1:38.12 and wasn’t threatened to the finish.
The final time for the 1 1/8 miles was 1:51.06 on a fast track. Tom’s Ready, seventh in the Risen Star, rallied for second, while Dazzling Gem held for third. Favored Mo Tom, a troubled third in the Risen Star, had an opening along the rail but was stopped again and finished fourth after a rally from far back.
A 3-year-old colt by Candy Ride, out of the Giant’s Causewaymare Quiet Giant, Gun Runner was bred in Kentucky by Besilu Stables. He has now won four of five starts; his lone defeat came last November in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (gr. II), in which he finished fourth behind Airoforce, Mor Spirit, and Mo Tom.
The Louisiana Derby winner earned 100 points in the Road to the Kentucky Derby standings.
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