Category: Magnolia Stakes

TOUCHUPONASTAR SHINES BRIGHT IN THE $100,000 GOLD CUP AT DELTA DOWNS

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– NONEYA UPSETS FREE LIKE A GIRL TO WIN THE $100,000 MAGNOLIA STAKES –

 

 

Touchuponastar wins the $100,000 Gold Cup at Delta Downs. Coady Photography.

 

VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs opened the 2023-24 Thoroughbred race season on Friday night with a nine-race program that featured a pair of $100,000 stakes races. Fans were treated to the Gold Cup and the Magnolia Stakes. Both events were for Louisiana-bred runners going seven furlongs. The Magnolia featured fillies and mares.

The Gold Cup featured heavily favored Touchuponastar, who was gunning for third win in as many starts at Delta Downs. His last appearance in Vinton resulted in a rousing victory in the $150,000 Louisiana Premier Night Championship back in February.

Touchuponastar did not disappoint by coming through with a 5 ½-length victory and it could have been even more. After breaking sharply under jockey Tim Thornton, the eventual winner cruised to an easy lead and carved out fractional times of 23.75 seconds for the opening quarter mile and 47.61 for the half-mile. As the field of eight made the turn for home Thornton shook the reins and his mount responded, going on to a dominant win over Big Chopper while Autumns Strong Man finished another 3-3/4 lengths behind the runner-up.

The final time for Touchuponastar, who is trained by Jeff Delhomme, was 1:24.64. Each race on the program was contest over a fast track and with near perfect weather conditions.

Touchuponastar has now won eight of 11 career starts and has banked a total of $468,100 for his owner, Set-Hut LLC (Jake Delhomme). His win in the Gold Cup was worth $60,000.

Bred in Louisiana by Coteau Grove Farms, Touchuponastar is a 4-year-old bay gelding by Star Guitar, out of the Quiet American mare Touch Magic.

Leaving the starting gate at odds of 1-5, Touchuponastar paid $2.60 to win, $2.10 to place and $2.10 to show. Big Chopper returned $3.40 to place and $2.60 to show. Longshot Autumns Strong Man was worth $11 to show.

 

 

Noneya wins the $100,000 Magnolia Stakes at Delta Down. Coady Photography.

All eyes were on Free Like a Girl in the $100,000 Magnolia Stakes as the 4-year-old filly was attempting to the race for the second year in a row and become a millionaire at the same time. But it wasn’t to be as Noneya pulled the upset under jockey Vicente Del Cid, who was riding for owner/trainer Ronnie Ward. Free Like a Girl made a late bid but came up short finishing third behind the winner and Norah G who wound up second.

As the seven-furlong race for Louisiana-bred fillies and mares began it was Norah G who showed early speed by setting fractional times of 23.71 seconds for the quarter mile and 48.21 for the half. Meanwhile, Noneya sat patiently off the leader while stalking the pace before digging in for a sustained rally turning for home.

At the wire Noneya was 2-1/4 lengths clear of Norah G while Free Like a girl was another ¾ of a length behind in third. The winner covered the distance in 1:25.97.

Noneya has now won six-of-18 career starts. Her $60,000 winner’s share in the Magnolia raised her lifetime bankroll to $202,340.

Bred in Louisiana by J. Adcock & Hume Warnall, Noneya is a 5-year-old mare by Palace, out of the Quiet American mare American Placed.

Dispatched at odds of 6-1, Noneya paid $15 to win, $5.40 to place and $2.60 to show. Norah G was worth $4.80 to place and $2.80 to show. Free Like a Girl, who went off heavily favored at even money, returned $2.10 to show.

For more information about racing at Delta Downs this season, including a detailed schedule and stakes dates, visit the track’s website at www.deltadownsracing.com. Fans can also get information throughout the season with our social media accounts. The Facebook page is found at ‘Delta Downs Racing’, and the track’s Twitter (X) handle is @deltaracing.

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

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

 

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

 

VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs hosted the first stakes race of its 2022-23 Thoroughbred season on Friday night and the fans in attendance were treated to a stellar performance by Free Like a Girl, who kept her local record perfect at four-for-four with a victory in the featured $100,000 Magnolia Stakes. The 3-year-old filly was ridden to victory by Pedro Cotto, Jr.

Coming into the race off two consecutive runner-up efforts in graded stakes company, Free Like a Girl stalked the early pace in the seven-furlong test for Louisiana-bred fillies and mares set by Winning Romance, who went the opening quarter mile in 23.37 seconds. At the half-mile point Noneya took a short lead stopping the clock in 47.68, but the advantage was short lived as Free Like a Girl swept to the front while three wide.

In the homestretch Cotto gave the Chasey Pomier trainee the gentlest of reminders as she held Winning Romance at bay to win the Magnolia by 1-1/2 lengths. Snowball finished third, another six lengths behind the top pair. The final running time for the winner was 1:25.92. Each race on the program was contested over a fast track.

Free Like a Girl, who is owned by Gerald Bruno, Jr., Carl Deville, Chasey Deville Pomier and Jerry Caroom, has now won nine-of-18 career starts overall and she earned $60,000 for her Magnolia score on Friday. Her total bankroll now stands at $662,128.

Bred in Louisiana by Kim Renee Stover & Lisa Osborne, Free Like a Girl is a bay filly by El Deal, out of the Flashy Bull mare Flashy Prize.

Sent to the gate as the overwhelming favorite of the fans at odds of 1-9, Free Like a Girl paid $2.20 to win, $2.10 to place and $2.10 to show. Winning Romance returned $3.40 to place and $2.40 to show. Snowball was worth $3 to show.

Delta Downs will close out the opening week action on Saturday with another nine-race program headed by the $100,000 Gold Cup stakes for Louisiana-breds. The card kicks off at 4:55 pm.

For more information about the new season, visit the track’s website at www.deltadownsracing.com. Fans can also get information on Facebook and Twitter.

NET A BEAR RALLIES LATE TO WIN THE $100,000 MAGNOLIA STAKES AT DELTA DOWNS

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Net A Bear edges Quikfast N Ahurry to win the 2021 Magnolia Stakes at Delta Downs. Coady Photography.

 

 

VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs hosted the $100,000 Magnolia Stakes on Friday afternoon. The race featured a field of six Louisiana-bred fillies and mares competing at seven furlongs and it was Maximo Lamarche and Federico Deltoro’s Net a Bear who came away with the win under jockey Tim Thornton.

 

Breaking from the inside post position, Net a Bear was reserved early and dropped back to trail the field while Carondelet set the early fractions of 23.30 seconds for the quarter mile and 47.76 for the half. As the field entered the second turn, Thornton began a rally with Net a Bear that resulted in a come-from-behind victory by a half-length over Quikfast N Ahurry while Inawic settled for third, another neck behind the top pair.

 

Net a Bear covered the distance over a fast track in a time of 1:26.88.

 

The win by Net a Bear, who is trained by Allen Landy, was the eighth of her 27-race career. She garnered another $60,000 for the effort which raised her overall bankroll to $412,070.

 

Bred in Louisiana by Lora Pitre & Elaine Carroll, Net a Bear is a 5-year-old bay mare by Awesome Bet, out of the Eddington mare Edacious Reality.

 

Sent to the gate even money, Net a Bear paid $4.20 to win, $2.60 to place and $2.10 to show. Quikfast N Ahurry returned $2.60 to place and $2.40 to show. Inawic was worth $3.80 to show.

 

The win by jockey Tim Thornton also marked his second straight tally in a $100,000 stakes event. He won the $100,000 Louisiana Legacy aboard Unified Report last Saturday. On that program he also set a track record for jockeys with seven wins in one day. Thornton is attempting to take his fourth consecutive leading rider title at Delta Downs this year.

Saints N Muskets Wins Magnolia Stakes

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Magnolia Stakes
Delta Downs, 1-12-21, 8 furlongs
4YO & Up, Accredited Louisiana bred, fillies and mares, $75,000

Saints N Muskets wins the 2021 Magnolia Stakes at Delta Downs

SAINTS N MUSKETS
Musket Man–Laughing Saint
Breeder: J. E. Jumonville Jr. & Bunny Jumonville
Owner: Rodney J. Verret
Trainer: Allen Landry
Jockey: Joe Stokes

2nd
Sarah’s Passion
Songandaprayer–My Holy Belle
Breeder: Perform Stables Inc.
Owner: Perform Stables, Inc.
Trainer: Allen Landry
Jockey: Joel Dominguez

3rd
Smok’n Rita
Misremembered–Wicked Rita
Breeder: Linda Guidry
Owner: Linda Guidry
Trainer: Connie Mack Guidry
Jockey: Kevin J. Smith

SAINTS N MUSKETS WINS SECOND STAKES RACE OF THE SEASON IN THE MAGNOLIA

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VINTON, LA. – In the second of a pair of stakes races hosted byDelta Downs on Tuesday afternoon, Rodney J. Verret’s Saints N Muskets took the $75,000 Magnolia, her second stakes win of the season.

Saints N Muskets wins the 2021 Magnolia Stakes at Delta Downs

The Magnolia Stakes featured a dramatic finish as the Allen Landry trainee Saints N Muskets wore down pacesetter Sarah’s Passion to score a narrow win under jockey Joe Stokes. It was her second stakes score of the season as she also won the Lookout Stakes on November 25.

After breaking from post position five in a field of six, Saints N Muskets stalked the early pace set by Sarah’s Passion, who covered the quarter mile in 23.68 seconds, the half in 48.84 and three quarters in 1:27.66. Sarah’s Passion lead by three lengths in the upper-stretch but could not hold off Saints N Muskets, who’s momentum carried her to the win by just a neck. Smok’n Rita rallied to grab third, another 4-3/4 lengths behind the runner-up.

Saints N Muskets covered the one-mile distance of the Magnolia in a time of 1:41.80.

Saints N Muskets has now won five of 16 career races. Her $45,000 paycheck on Tuesday raised to career bankroll to $181,365.

Bred in Louisiana by J. E. Jumonville, Jr. & Bunny Jumonville, Saints N Muskets is a 6-year-old dark bay or brown mare by Musket Man, out of the Vindication mare Laughing Saint.

Sent off at odds of 2-1, Saints N Muskets paid $6.60 to win, $3.80 to place and $2.80 to show. Sarah’s Passion returned $7 to place and $4 to show. Smoke’n Rita was worth $5.40 to show.

Delta Downs will continue racing on Wednesday afternoon with another nine-race program that is scheduled to begin at 12:55 pm.

 

For more information about the current season visit the track’s website at www.deltadownsracing.com. Fans can also get information about the track through Facebook by visiting the page ‘Delta Downs Racing’. The track’s Twitter handle is @deltaracing.

 

MARIAH’S GALAXY PUTS TAKES $100,000 MAGNOLIA STAKES

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THE VICTOR ARCENEAUX TRAINEE EARNS SECOND CAREER STAKES WIN 

Magnolia Stakes
Delta Downs, 10-11-19, One mile
Accredited Louisiana Bred, 3-year-olds and Upwards, Fillies and Mares, $100,000

Mariah's Galaxy - Magnolia Stakes - 10-11-19

MARIAH’S GALAXY
Greeley’s Galaxy-Black Mariah
Breeder: Margie K. Averett
Owner: Riley Blanchet and Todd Matte
Trainer: Victor Arceneaux
Jockey: Kevin J. Smith

2nd
Remember Daisy
Misremembered-Very Speightstown
Breeder: Al Ulwelling and Bill Ulwelling
Owner: Al and Bill Ulwelling
Trainer: Gary M. Scherer
Jockey: Timothy Thornton

3rd
Special Blessing
Flat Out-Langsyne
Breeder: J. Adcock
Owner: Coteau Grove Farms LLC
Trainer: W. Bret Calhoun
Jockey: Roberto Morales

  

VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs hosted the first stakes race of its new Thoroughbred season on Friday night as Riley Blanchet and Todd Matte’s Mariah’s Galaxy stormed home in front to take the $100,000 Magnolia Stakes for Louisiana-bred fillies and mares under jockey Kevin Smith.

Mariah’s Galaxy, who is trained by Victor Arceneaux, also won the Lookout Stakes at Delta Downs last year and now boasts and overall record of eight wins from 23 career starts. The $60,000 paycheck on Friday night raised her career bankroll to $242,485.

Fleet Halo took the early lead in Friday’s one-mile headliner and carved our fractional times 23.67 seconds for the opening quarter-mile, 48.22 for the half and 1:13.08 for three quarters. But when she turned for home she was engulfed by Mariah’s Galaxy who had sat back in the field early before commencing a rally that put her in front at the top of the lane. Following Mariah’s Galaxy was race favorite Remember Daisey, who wound up four lengths behind the winner on the finish line. Special Blessing finished another 2-3/4 lengths behind the top pair in third.

The winner covered the distance in a time of 1:39.72 over a fast track.

Bred in Louisiana by Margie K. Averett, Mariah’s Galaxy is a 5-year-old mare by Greeley’s Galaxy, out of the Devil His Due mare Black Mariah.

Sent to the gate at odds of 15-1, Mariah’s Galaxy paid $32.60 to win, $9 to place and $4.40 to show. Remember Daisey returned $2.60 to place and $2.10 to show. Special Blessing was worth $3 to show.

Delta Downs will close out its opening week of racing on Saturday with another 10-race program that begins at 4:55 pm CST. Saturday’s featured race is the $100,000 Gold Cup for Louisiana-bred older horses competing at one mile.

 

For more information about racing at Delta Downs visit the track’s website at www.deltadownsracing.com. Fans can also get information about through Facebook by visiting the page ‘Delta Downs Racing’. The track’s Twitter handle is @deltaracing.

 

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

PACIFIC PINK SAVES HER BEST FOR LAST WHILE WINNING THE $100,000 MAGNOLIA STAKES AT DELTA DOWNS

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PACIFIC PINK - Magnolia- The 16th Running - 10-19-18 - R09 - DED-01
Pacific Pink wins the 2018 Magnolia Stakes at Delta Downs. Coady Photography

Magnolia Stakes
Delta Downs, 10-19-18, 1 mile
Three Year Olds and Upwards Accredited Louisiana Breds, $100,000

PACIFIC PINK
Private Vow-Truly Romantic
Breeder: Brandon Adcock
Owner: Keith Plaisance
Trainer: Edward J. Johnston
Jockey: Colby J. Hernandez

2nd
Safari Calamari
Half Ours-Zaafira
Breeder: Brittlyn Stables, Inc.
Owner: Brittany Stable, Inc.
Trainer: Jose M. Camejo
Jockey: Luis Negron

3rd
Fleet Halo
My Pal Charlie-Say Afleet
Breeder: Stewart M. Madison & Channon Farm, LLC
Owner: Cansler Investments
Trainer: Misty Cansler
Jockey: Eguard Andres Tejera

 

VINTON, LA. –Delta Downs kicked off its stakes schedule for the 2018-19 Thoroughbred season on Friday night with the $100,000 Magnolia and the $50,000 My Trusty Cat serving as the main events on a 10-race program.

The Magnolia, a one-mile test for Louisiana-bred 3-year-olds and upward, was won by Pacific Pink under jockey Colby Hernandez. The My Trusty Cat, a seven-furlong race for 2-year-old fillies, was taken by Taylor’s Spirit with Thomas Pompell in the saddle.

Pacific Pink used her customary late-running style to get the victory in the Magnolia as she sat well off the early pace set by Yes Gorgeous, who carved out early fractional times of 23.59 seconds for the quarter-mile and 47.90 for the half. The front-runner accomplished three-quarters of mile in 1:12.76 before tiring in the stretch.

For a brief time it appeared that 40-1 longshot Fleet Halo might shock the crowd as she took a short lead in deep stretch before Pacific Pink got clear and charged to the wire to win by ¾ of a length while Safari Calamari followed the winner for second. Fleet Halo held on for third, another ¾ of a length behind the top pair.

Pacific Pink, who is owned by Keith Plaisance and trained by Edward J. Johnston, covered the mile in a time of 1:39.62 over a fast track.

The win by Pacific Pink was the 12th of her 32-race career and she earned $60,000 for the effort. Her overall bankroll now stands at staggering $717,770.

Bred in Louisiana by Brandon Adcock, Pacific Pink is a 6-year-old dark bay or brown mare by Private Vow, out of the Robyn Dancer mare Truly Romantic.

Sent to the gate as the 3-2 wagering favorite, Pacific Pink paid $5 to win, $3 to place and $2.60 to show. Safari Calamari returned $11 to place and $6.40 to show. Fleet Halo paid $11.20 to show.

 

For more information about racing at Delta Downs visit the track’s website at www.deltadownsracing.com. Fans can also get information about through Facebook by visiting the page ‘Delta Downs Racing’. The track’s Twitter handle is @deltaracing.

 

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

MR. AL’S GAL RECORDS IMPRESSIVE VICTORY IN THE $100,000 MAGNOLIA AT DELTA DOWNS

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3-YEAR-OLD FILLY NOTCHES HER SEVENTH WIN FROM NINE CAREER STARTS 

 MR AL'S GAL - Magnolia Stakes- 15th Running - 10-20-17 - R08 - DED-01

Magnolia Stakes
Delta Downs, 10-20-17, 1 mile
Three Year Old and Upwards, Accredited Louisiana Bred Fillies
Purse $100,000

MR. AL’S GAL
Salute The Sarge-Spanish Ice
Breeders: J. Adcock & Neal McFadden
Owner: Brittlyn Stable, Inc.
Trainer:  Justin Jeansonne
Jockey: D. Saenz

2nd
Pacific Pink
Private Vow-Truly Romantic
Breeder: Brandon Adcock
Owner: Keith Plaisance
Trainer: Edward J. Johnston
Jockey: C.J. Hernandez

3rd
Another Pinot
B. J.’s Mark-Pinot Pals
Breeders: Dr. Glen Warren DVM & Andy Leggio
Owner: End Zone Athletics, Inc.
Trainer: Karl Broberg
Jockey: J.A. Guerrero

VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs hosted the first stakes race of its 2017-18 Thoroughbred season on Friday night and it was the 3-year-old filly Mr. Al’s Gal who came away the win in the $100,000 Magnolia Stakes. The tally marked her fifth stakes win and seventh victory overall from nine lifetime starts. The Justin Jeansonne trainee was ridden to victory by Diego Saenz.

After breaking sharply in the one-mile headliner, Mr. Al’s Gal volleyed for the lead with Another Pinot until the pair hit the top of the homestretch. The duo carved out fractional times of 24 seconds for the quarter-mile, 50.19 for the half, and 1:15.78 for three-quarters before Mr. Al’s Gal began to pull away in the final furlong. That’s when race favorite Pacific Pink came storming from well behind but could not get to the winner and had to settle for second, beaten 2-1/4 lengths. Another Pinot held on for third another half-length behind the top pair.

Mr. Al’s Gal, who is owned by Brittlyn Stable, Inc., covered the eight furlongs of the Magnolia in a time of 1:42.18 while racing on a track listed as muddy.

Bred in Louisiana by J. Adcock & Neal McFadden, Mr. Al’s Gal is a daughter of Salute the Sarge out of the Spanish Steps mare Spanish Ice. She was purchased at the bargain basement price of just $1,000 as a yearling in 2015.

Sent to the gate as the second choice of the wagering public, Mr. Al’s Gal returned $4.40 to win, $2.40 to place and $2.10 to show. Pacific Pink was worth $2.40 to win and $2.10 to show. Another Pinot paid $4.20 for the show spot.