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LTBA Announces 2019 Champions; Names Chimney Rock 2019 Louisiana Horse of the Year


Chimney Rock pictured winning the 2019 Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile. Hodges Photo.
LTBA Announces 2019 Champions; Names Chimney Rock 2019 Louisiana Horse of the Year

The Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association is pleased to announce the selection of Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint [G2] contender, Chimney Rock as 2019 Louisiana Horse of the Year.
A two-year-old of 2019, Chimney Rock (Artie Schiller – What’s Your Point) won a Maiden Special Weight race at Saratoga on September 1st  and ran second by a head just six days later in the $500,000 Kentucky Downs Juvenile Turf. In his next start, Chimney Rock was a half-length from victory in the Indian Summer Stakes at Keeneland. November 1st, he came close to winning the $1,000,000 G2 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint at Santa Anita, crossing the finish line just three-quarters of a length behind Four Wheel Drive. Making the switch to a dirt track for the Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile at Fair Grounds, Chimney Rock gained his first stakes win. From seven 2019 starts, he had two firsts, three seconds and a third. His year end earnings of $369,025 were the highest of any Louisiana Bred runner last year.

Along with overall Louisiana Horse of the Year, the following have been named 2019 Louisiana champions :

2019 Two-Year-Old Accredited Louisiana Bred Filly
Our Lost Love
Half Ours-Lost Love Baby
Breeder/Owner: Tri Star Racing (Richard Robertson, Alan Dean and Mike Nash)
Trainer: Joey Foster
2019 Two-Year-Old Accredited Louisiana Bred Colt or Gelding
Chimney Rock
Artie Schiller-What’s Your Point
Breeder: Stargazers LLC & Clear Creek Stud LLC
Owner: Three Diamonds Farm
Trainer: Michael Maker
2019 Three-Year-Old Accredited Louisiana Bred Filly
Net A Bear
Awesome Bet-Edacious Reality
Breeder: Lora Pitre & Elaine Carroll
Owner: Maximo Lamarche & Federico Deltoro
Trainer: Allen Landry

 

2019 Three-Year-Old Accredited Louisiana Bred Colt or Gelding
Shang    
Shanghai Bobby-Humble Janet
Breeder: Cloyce C. Clark Jr.
Owner: William & Corrine Heiligbrodt
Trainer: Steve Asmussen

 

2019 Four-Year-Old and up Accredited Louisiana Bred Filly or Mare
Minit To Stardom 
Star Guitar-Wild About Marie
Breeder/Owner: Brittlyn Stable Inc.
Owner: Brittlyn Stable Inc.
Trainer: Jose Camejo

 

2019 Four-Year-Old and up Accredited Louisiana Bred Male
Laughingsaintssong 
Songandaprayer-Laughing Saint
Breeder: J.E. & Bunny Jumonville
Owner: Rodney J. Verret
Trainer: Allen Landry

 

2019 Louisiana Broodmare of the Year
Wild About Marie
Wildcat Heir-Joyful Wager by Valid Wager
Owner: Brittlyn Stable Inc.

 

2019 Andrew L. “Red” Erwin Stallion of the Year
Star Guitar
Quiet American-Minit Towinit by Malagra
Owner: Brittlyn Stable Inc

 

2019 Louisiana Leading Breeder by Breeders Awards
Brittlyn Stable Inc.

 

2019 Louisiana Leading Breeder by Percentage of Stakes Winners
James McIngvale

 

Champion Accredited Louisiana Bred runners as well as Broodmare of the Year were selected by LTBA memberships votes. Louisiana Horse of the Year is selected by the LTBA Board of Directors. Statistics were used to determine all remaining category winners.

 

Originally, winners were to be announced at the LTBA Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet planned for Louisiana Derby weekend at Fair Grounds Racetrack and Slots in New Orleans. Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the LTBA Board of Directors made the decision to forgo the event this year.

 

Minit To Stardom Clear Winner in LA Bred Premier Night Matron S.

LA Bred Premier Night Matron S.
Delta Downs, 2-8-20, 5 furlongs
Four-Year-Olds and Upwards, Accredited Louisiana Bred, Fillies and Mares, $100,000

MINIT TO STARDOM - La Bred Premier Night Matron - 02-08-20 - R10 - DED - Finish
Minit To Stardom wins LA Bred Premier Night Matron S. Coady Photography

MINIT TO STARDOM
Star Guitar-Wild About Marie
Breeder: Brittlyn Stables, Inc.
Owner: Brittlyn Stable, Inc.
Trainer: Jose M. Camejo
Jockey: A Cintron

2nd
Midnight Fantasy
Midnight Lute-St. Jean
Breeder: J. Adcock & Hume Wornall
Owner: Darlin R. Moore Management LLC
Trainer: Joe Sharp
Jockey: T. Thornton

3rd
Play Unified
Exchange Rate-Carson City Sham
Breeder: Keith Hernandez, Earl Hernandez & John Duvieilh
Owner: Ivery Sisters Racind, Larry J. Romero, Dorby Racing, LLC and Winalot Racing, LLC
Trainer: Ron Faucheux
Jockey: F. Geroux

UNDERPRESSURE WINS A HEART POUNDING LOUISIANA PREMIER NIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

– NO PAROLE TAKES ANOTHER STEP FORWARD ON THE KENTUCKY DERBY TRAIL –

 

 

VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs hosted its richest program of the season on Saturday night with another edition of Louisiana Premier Night. The 11-race card featured 10 stakes races for Louisiana-bred horses and nearly $1 million in total purse money up for grabs.

 

The featured event of the night was the $150,000 Louisiana Premier Night Championship for older horses competing at 1-1/16 miles and the event had a dramatic finish as Mallory Greiner’s Underpressure ran down a determined Pound for Pound in the stretch to get the victory under jockey Gerard Melancon.

 

The Championship began with the odds-on favorite Shang charging out to the early lead and carving out fractional times of 24.17 seconds for the opening quarter mile, 48.81 for the half, and 1:13.69 for three-quarters. When the field turned for home, Melancon let Underpressure loose after sitting several lengths off the early lead. The pair then reached the upper-stretch with their sights set on Pound for Pound, who had overtaken Shang and was looking make it home in front.

 

The stretch run of the Championship turned into a war of wills, as Underpressure slowly but surely cut into the lead of Pound for Pound before overtaking him in the final strides to win by a half-length. Star Fitzstall finished another five length behind in third.

 

Underpressure covered the distance of the Championship in a time of 1:45.51 while running on a fast track.

 

Trainer Chris Richard was very proud of his hard-knocking gelding after the race. “It was a very competitive race; he always shows up and gives us a big effort. I felt he was coming into the race as good as he ever has. Gerard did and excellent job! We’ll look at some Louisiana-bred stakes at Fair Grounds next.”

 

Underpressure has now won 12-of-35 career races and his $90,000 payday on Saturday pushed his lifetime bankroll up to $693,382.

 

Bred in Louisiana by James McIngvale, Underpressure is a 6-year-old gelding by Birdstone, out of the Charismatic mare Charming Colleen.

 

Sent to the gate at odds of 5-1, Underpressure paid $12.40 to win, $4.60 to place and $7.20 to show. Pound for Pound returned $4.40 to place and $8 to show. Star Fitzstall was worth $13.80 to show.

 

In other action on Louisiana Premier Night the $125,000 LAPN Distaff was won by Riley Blanchet and Todd Matte’s Mariah’s Galaxy, who scored her third stakes win of the season. Mariah’s Galaxy was ridden to victory by regular jockey Kevin Smith and is trained by Victor Arceneaux. Mariah’s Galaxy also took the Magnolia and Treasure Chest Stakes earlier in the meeting.

 

Maggi Moss’s 3-year-old superstar No Parole made quick work of his rivals in this year’s $100,000 Louisiana Premier Night Prince as he led every step of the way under James Graham for trainer Tom Amoss. The win was his third in a row and none have been close. Saturday’s victory was by 6-1/2 lengths and now his connections look forward to a possible Kentucky Derby prep race for the son of Violence, out of the Bluegrass Cat mare Plus One.

 

Steph’sfullasugar won the $125,000 LAPN Starlet with jockey Colby Hernandez riding for trainer Victor Arceneaux. The winner is owned by Autumn Hill Farms Racing Stables, Inc. The win came in Steph’sfullasugar’s stakes debut and her second career race overall.

 

This year’s $100,000 LAPN Matron was won impressively by Minit to Stardom under jockey Alex Citron. The property of Brittlyn Stable, Inc. (Evelyn Benoit) is conditioned by Jose Camejo. Minit to Stardom is a graded stakes winner who surpassed the half-million mark in career earnings with the win.

 

The $100,000 LAPN Sprint was taken in come-from-behind style by Double Barrel Man who was ridden to victory by jockey Paulina Ramirez, who had two wins on the program. Double Barrel Man is owned by GK Racing, LLC (Gary Knight) and is conditioned by leading trainer Karl Broberg.

 

The $60,000 LAPN Gentlemen Starter was annexed by Pinch Assault for owners John T. Easley and Brian A. Huval. Huval also trains and the winning ride went to Joel Dominguez. Pinch Assault is a 6-year-old who now has 10 wins from 37 career starts.

 

This year’s $60,000 LAPN Ladies Starter was won by Flying Start, LLC’s My Little Jen. The 4-year-old filly produced the first stakes win for both jockey Paulina Ramirez’s and trainer Judy Beavin. My Little Jen defeated the heavily favored Dale’s Lil Sis, who came into the race on a four-race winning streak.

 

The $50,000 LAPN Ragin Cajun Starter was taken by Big Em C with jockey C. J. McMahon in the saddle. The 5-year-old gelding has now won four races on the season for owner End Zone Athletics and leading trainer Karl Broberg.

 

Sarge’s Daughter dominated seven rivals to win the $50,000 LAPN Bon Temps Starter with jockey Eguard Tejera in the saddle for trainer Beverly Burress. The 8-year-old mare is owned by former jockey Juan Larrosa.

 

Delta Downs will embark on its 19th week of live racing Wednesday night with a nine-race program that kicks off at 4:55 pm. The current season runs through February 29.

Minit To Stardom Awarded Louisiana Champions Day Ladies Sprint Win

Louisiana Champions Day Ladies Turf
Fair Grounds, 12-14-19, 6 furlongs
Three Year Olds and Upwards, Accredited Louisiana Bred, Fillies and Mares, $100,000

Minit To Stardom_F_12-14-2019
Minit To Stardom, with Alex Cintron on board, wins the 14th running of the Louisiana Champions Day Ladies Sprint at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans. Hodges Photography / Amanda Hodges Weir

MINIT TO STARDOM
Star Guitar–Wild About Marie
Breeder: Brittlyn Stables, Inc.
Owner: Brittlyn Stable, Inc.
Trainer: Jose M. Camejo
Jockey: Alex Cintron

2nd
Midnight Fantasy
Midnight Lute–St. Jean
Breeder: J. Adcock & Hume Wornall
Owner: Carl R. Moore Management LLC
Trainer: Joe Sharp
Jockey: Adam Beschizza

3rd
Ours to Run
Half Ours–Brown Eyed Baby
Breeder: Clifford Grum
Owner: Colonel Thoroughbreds LLC
Trainer: J. Larry Jones
Jockey: Gabriel Saez

 

Minit to Stardom capped a three-race win streak with a 1 1/2length victory in the July 24 GII Honorable Miss H. She was second in the Sept. 22 GII Gallant Bloom H. and most recently captured a Laurel allowance Nov. 8. The bay filly pressed Midnight Fantasy through fractions of :21.64 and :44.67. Minit to Stardom briefly got a head in front in upper stretch and, as Midnight Fantasy battled back from the inside, was bumped as that foe drifted out. Strides later, Midnight Fantasy once again drifted out and impeded Minit to Stardom. The pacesetter ultimately was two lengths in front at the wire, but was disqualified and placed second as Minit to Stardom was promoted to the victory.

Pound for Pound Wins Louisiana Champions Day Classic

Fair Grounds’ Dec. 14 feature first black-type win for trainer Andrea Ancil Ali.

 

By

 

Israel Flores Horses’ Pound for Pound edged Trevilion to take the $150,000 Louisiana Champions Day Classic, giving trainer Andrea Ancil Ali and jockey Aubrie Green their first black-type wins Dec. 14 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.

The Classic was the highlight on a 13-race card for accredited Louisiana-breds, including three Quarter Horse stakes.

Read BloodHorse Article

Minit to Stardom Wires Honorable Miss at 20-1

Homebred Star Guitar filly extended win streak July 24 at Saratoga Race Course.

 

Brittlyn Stable’s homebred Minit to Stardom went straight to the front in the $200,000 Honorable Miss Handicap (G2) at Saratoga Race Course July 24 and, despite being the longest shot on the board at 20-1, the Louisiana-bred filly led every step and pulled clear in the stretch to win her third consecutive race since being transferred to trainer Jose Camejo.

“(Jockey) Alex (Cintron) and I talked all week about this race. He really knows the horse, and our game plan was to let her break, get comfortable, and for her to be where she wants to be,” Camejo said. “She was really sharp today and did the rest.

 

Read BloodHorse Article

Benoit’s Faith in Star Guitar Pays Off at Saratoga

As the hours wound down on a remarkable birthday July 24 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Evelyn Benoit took a moment to reflect. The owner of Brittlyn Stable has believed in her stallion Star Guitar  from the start of his stud career, and Wednesday Benoit watched at Saratoga Race Course as Minit to Stardom dashed across the line in the $200,000 Honorable Miss Handicap (G2) to become the Louisiana-bred’s first graded stakes winner.

Not only did the 4-year-old filly deliver a 20-1 upset, but earlier in the day her 3-year-old brother Star Fitzstall broke his maiden at Delaware Park, making Benoit’s birthday one to remember.

Read BloodHorse Article

Mobile Bay Repeats in Classic Thriller; LA-Breds Impress on Champions Day Card

Submitted by brian.spencer on December 9, 2017

Louisiana Champions Day Classic
Fair Grounds, 12-9-17, 1 1/8 Miles
Three-Year-Olds and Upwards, Accredited Louisiana Breds
Purse: $150,000

Mobile Bay_12-9-2017-F
Mobile Bay (orange silks) gets a head in front of Grande Basin to score back to back victories in the Louisiana Champions Day Classic at Fair Grounds. Hodges Photography / Lou Hodges, Jr.

MOBILE BAY
Lone Star Special-Tranquility Bay
Breeder: Tigertail Ranch
Owner: Tigertail Ranch
Trainer: Victor Arceneaux
Jockey: Diego Saenz

2nd
Grand Basin
Good and Tough–Silver Rail, by Dispersal
Breeder: Coteau Grove Farms
Owner: William J. Deckwa, Jr., and John Carbo
Trainer: Edward J. Johnston
Jockey: Miguel Mena

3rd
Underpressure
Birdstone–Charming Colleen, by Charismatic
Breeder: James McIngvale
Owner: Mallory Greiner
Trainer: Chris Richard
Jockey Corey J. Lanerie

A 10-month layoff appeared to be no issue for Tigertail Ranch’s Louisiana millionaire Mobile Bay as he successfully defended his title in an epic renewal of the $150,000 Louisiana Champions Day Classic when the gutsy iron horse with nine stakes victories outnodded challenger Grande Basin.

Piloted by Diego Saenz and trained by Victor Arceneaux, the 5-year-old son of Lone Star Special broke right on top and separated himself from the remainder of the field throwing down fractions of 24.51, 48.58 and 1:14.24. As the field approached the far turn, Mobile Bay’s leading margins began to slim down as Grande Basin and Underpressure started to inch their way closer to the leader. At the top of the stretch, Saenz called on Mobile Bay for everything he had while jockey Miguel Mena did the same aboard Grande Basin to his inside. Underpressure kept close company but could not quite get involved with the two fighters up front. While it looked like Grande Basin may have gotten the better of his rival, the defending champion would not be denied. Both horses laid their noses right on the wire together resulting in a photo finish that would go to Mobile Bay, who finished the nine furlong trip in a time of 1:51.95.

“I was on the lead and he didn’t want to come back to me,” Saenz said. “I was afraid I was going to get beat because he was a little fresh off the layoff. That was close.”

Mena had no excuses aboard Grande Basin.

Beautiful trip,” Mena said. “I rode him the way I think he likes, but it was just a very tough beat. We lost to one of the best Louisiana-breds out there.”

Mobile Bay brought his lifetime earnings all the way up to $1,096,440 after his second straight Louisiana Champions Day Classic win. Other stakes victories of his include a win in the Grade II Super Derby in 2015 as well as triumphs against open company in the Zia Park Derby and Sunland Park Handicaps at their namesake courses. He returned $3.20, $2.60 and $2.10 while Grande Basin and Underpressure returned $5.40, $3 and $2.20, respectively.

Mobile Bay joins Blissful Union (1991-92), Magnify (1997-98), Costa Rising (2006-07), Star Guitar (2009-11) and Sunbean (2013-14) as the only horses to score multiple victories in the Louisiana Champions Day Classic.

Mageez and One King’s Man completed the running order.

 

Louisiana Champions Day Sprint
Fair Grounds, 12-9-17, 6 furlongs
Three-Year-Olds and Upwards, Accredited Louisiana Breds
Purse: $100,000

Stand Him Up_12-9-2017-ur
Hay Hollow Stables’s Stand Him Up captures the Louisiana Champions day Sprint at Fair Grounds. Hodges Photography / Amanda Hodges Weir

STAND HIM UP
Time Bandit–Taffy Davenport, by Miswaki
Breeder: Hay Hollow Racing Stable LLC
Owner: Hay Hollow Racing Stable LLC
Trainer: Howard Alonzo
Jockey: Gabriel Saez

2nd
Just Kissing Back
Limehouse–Just Kissing, by Kissin Kris
Breeder: Forrest Lanning, Kelly Turner & Tresa Snow
Owner:  Kim C. White
Trainer: Dale White, Sr.
Jockey: Diego Saenz

3rd
Hunker Down
Musket Man–My Friend Bele, by My Friend Max
Breeder: Jo Ann Thompson
Owner: Double Dam Farm LLC
Trainer: Delmar R. Caldwell
Jockey: Corey J. Lanerie

Hay Hollow Racing Stables’ Stand Him Up ($5.20, $3.60, $3.40) pulled off a hat trick when winning the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Sprint by 1¼ lengths in a final time of 1:11.03. Ridden by Gabriel Saez and trained by Howard Alonzo, the son of Time Bandit came into the race off of a victory against allowance company at Evangeline Downs in August and a win on Opening Day in the Heitai Stakes.

Breaking from the gate, Stand Him Up sat just a half-length off the pace controlled by Jockamo’s Song who set fractions of 22.76, 46.73. Approaching the top of the stretch, Stand Him Up took command, headed and passed the leader and held off 24-1 longshot Just Kissing Buck ($17 and $10.80) while Hunker Down ($11.40) took the show spot, another three-quarters of a length back.

“He’s an awesome horse,” Saez said. “Every time I get on him he gives me 100%, and I was glad that a couple horses went to the front end. When it was time to come around and make our move, he finished up running.”

Stand Him Up collected $60,000 from his Sprint victory, which brought his career earnings up to $208,460 in his seventh career win in 14 lifetime starts.

Jockamo’s Song, Nubin Ridge, My Friend Flavin, Double Barrel Man, Philly and Outofthisgalaxycompleted the order of finish.

 

Louisiana Champions Day Ladies Sprint
Fair Grounds, 12-9-17, 6 furlongs
Three-Year-Olds and Upwards, Fillies and Mares, Accredited Louisiana Breds
Purse: $100,000

My Miss Chiff_12-9-2017-F
My Miss Chiff with Mitchell Murrill aboard wins the LA Champions Day Ladies Sprint at Fair Grounds. Hodges Photography / Lou Hodges, Jr.

MY MISS CHIFF
Into Mischief–Carl’s Frosty Girl, by Pulling Punches
Breeder: Steve E. Holliday
Owner: Town and Country Racing, LLC
Trainer: Albert M. Stall, Jr.
Jockey: Mitchell Murrill

 2nd
Look Into My Eyes
City Zip–Burnished Miss, by Wild Again
Breeder: Robert McDowell & Bethe Deal
Owner: Kathleen Amaya and Raffaele Centofanti
Trainer: Efren Loza, Jr.
Jockey: Robby Albarado
3rd
Wheatfield
Lone Star Special–Thistle Bear, by Gators N Bears
Breeder: Tigertail Ranch
Owner: Tigertail Ranch
Trainer: Danny Pish
Jockey: Florent Geroux

Town and Country LLC’s My Miss Chiff ($4.40, $3 and $2.10) kept an undefeated streak over the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots main track alive when she won the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Ladies Sprint, her fourth victory in as many starts over the New Orleans oval.

Ridden by Mitchell Murrill and trained by Al Stall, Jr., the daughter of Into Mischief’s wins at the Fair Grounds include a maiden win in January and a March allowance victory, both against statebreds, as well as her triumph last out in the Happy Ticket Stakes on Opening Day.

Breaking from the gate, Murrill took My Miss Chiff back to third as Elektracutioner dictated the pace up front through fractions of 21.86 and 45.56. Approaching the top of the stretch, My Miss Chiff began to gain on the tiring pacesetter and took command to win the race by three-quarters of a length over Look Into My Eyes ($5.80 and $3.20), who was  3½ lengths clear of Wheatfield ($2.10) in third.

“We got the trip we wanted,” Murrill said. “We sat outside. She does her own thing and then just takes me right back to the wire.”

My Miss Chiff scored her fourth victory in six lifetime starts and boosted her earnings to $159,660.

Play Unified, Dr Liz, Bitsy’s C C, Discreetly Grand, Elektracutioner, Sunny Oak and Fairwell Tax Breakcompleted the order of finish.

 

Louisiana Champions Day Lassie
Fair Grounds, 12-9-17, 6 furlongs
Two-Year-Old Fillies, Accredited Louisiana Breds
Purse: $100,000

Minit To Stardom_12-8-2017-F
Minit to Stardom with Colby Hernandez aboard wins thd 27th running of the Louisiana Champions Day Lassie at Fair Grounds. Hodges Photography / Lou Hodges, Jr.

MINIT TO STARDOM
Star Guitar–Wild About Marie, by Wildcat Heir
Breeder: Brittlyn Stables, Inc.
Owner: Brittlyn Stable, Inc.
Trainer: Albert M. Stall, Jr.
Jockey: Colby J.Hernandez

2nd
Sarah’s Holy Belle
El Corredor–My Holy Belle, by Holy Bull
Breeder: Perform Stables Inc.
Owner: Perform Stables Inc.
Trainer: Ricky Courville
Jockey: Chantal Sutherland

3rd:
Girls Life
Colonel John–Saucey Officer, by Officer
Breeder: Georgia Farms Inc
Owner: Brad Raney
Trainer: Karl Broberg
Jockey: Ashley Broussard

Brittlyn Stable’s Minit To Stardom ($3, $2.60 and $2.10) proved herself to be a worthy 1-2 favorite in the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Lassie, winning the six-furlong event by an emphatic 7¼ lengths. Guided to victory by Colby Hernandez and trained by Al Stall, Jr., the daughter of Louisiana living legend Star Guitar broke sharply and sat just to the outside of pacesetters Tigertail Ranch’s Cool Spring and stablemate Andthebandplayedon who set opening fractions of 22.10 and 46.38 Around the far turn, Minit To Stardom cruised to the front without being asked and began to open up on the field. Hernandez shook the reins a few times in the stretch as the filly completed the trip in 1:12.18.

Perform Stables Inc.’s Sarah’s Holy Belle ($9.80 and $6) closed to get second, 1¼ lengths ahead of Brad Raney’s Girls Life ($6.80) in third.

“She’s a really nice filly,” Hernandez said. “She’ll do anything you ask her to, but I didn’t have to ask her to do much.”

The Louisiana Champions Day Lassie was Minit To Stardom’s first stakes victory in only her second career start. She made her career debut a winning one by 5¼ lengths on Opening Day in a state-bred maiden special weight. The victory elevated her lifetime earnings to $84,600.

Yes Gorgeous, Cool Spring, Andthebandplayedon, She’screative and Just A Bandit completed the order of finish.  

 

Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile
Fair Grounds, 12-9-17, 6 furlongs
Two-Year-Old Colts and Geldings, Accredited Louisiana Breds
Purse: $100,000

Greeley Went West_12-9-2017-ho.jpg

GREELEY WENT WEST
El Corredor–So Well Read, by Read the Footnotes
Breeder: Tom Curtis & Wayne Simpson
Owner: Phyllis J. Hodges and Randy Schiender
Trainer: James E. Hodges
Jockey: James Graham

2nd
Divine Bean
Star Guitar–Good Human Bean, by Langfuhr
Breeder: Brittlyn, Inc.
Owner: Brittlyn Stable, Inc.
Trainer: Albert M. Stall, Jr.
Jockey: Colby J. Hernandez

3rd
Cajun Creed
Jimmy Creed–Surprise Squall, by Stephen Got Even
Breeder: Danny M. Brown & Donna B. Brown
Owner: Horseplayers Racing Club LLC
Trainer: Danny Pish
Jockey: Florent Geroux

Phyllis J. Hodges and Randy Schiender’s Greeley Went West ($15, $7 and $4.20) out-dueled Brittlyn Stable’s stubborn Divine Bean ($3.60, $2.80) in the stretch to take the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile Stakes by a length in a time of 1:11.76.

Trained by James Hodges and ridden to victory by James Graham, the son of El Corredor remained undefeated in two starts, the first of which was a win against state-bred maidens at Louisiana Downs in September. Graham kept Greeley Went West off the pace commanded by Divine Bean who set opening fractions of 21.96, 46.07 and 58.60 before unsuccessfully fighting off a challenge from the eventual winner. Horseplayer Racing Club’s Cajun Creed ($3) took the show spot another length back.

“He broke sharp and I put him in a good spot,” Graham said. “When I picked him up he sprinted home. He went after them a little sooner than I wanted to, but halfway around the turn I said, ‘Man, I’ve got a little bit of pony.’”

The first time gelding enhanced his career earnings to $73,200.

Ready Prospector, Pound For Pound, Prayer Boy, Exigent and Uncle Herbie completed the order of finish.

 

 

Louisiana Champions Day Ladies 
Fair Grounds, 12-9-17, @ 1 1/16 miles, turf
Three-Year-Olds and Upwards, Fillies and Mares, Accredited Louisiana Breds
Purse: $100,000

Inveniam Viam_12-9-2017
Inveniam Viam with jockey Shaun Bridgmohan aboar captures the 27th running of the Louisiana Champions Day Ladies Turf at Fair Grounds. Hodges Photography / Lou Hodges, Jr.

INVENIAM VIAM
Half Ours–Haliburton Honey, by Regal Classic
Breeder: Paul E Mullen
Owner: Allied Racing Stable, LLC
Trainer: Brad H. Cox
Jockey: Shaun Bridgmohan

2nd
Pacific Pink
Private Vow–Truly Romantic, by Robyn Dancer
Breeder: Brandon Adcock
Owner: Keith Plaisance
Trainer: Edward J. Johnston
Jockey: Corey J. Lanerie

3rd
Mr. Al’s Gal
Salute the Sarge–Spanish Ice, by Spanish Steps
Breeder: J. Adcock & Neal McFadden
Owner: Brittlyn Stable, Inc.
Trainer: Justin Jeansonne
Jockey: Diego Saenz

Louisiana Champions Day Turf 
Fair Grounds, 12-9-17, @ 1 1/16 miles, turf
Three-Year-Olds and Upwards, Accredited Louisiana Breds
Purse: $100,000
Extra Credit_12-9-2017-A-SM
Extra Credit (lime green silks) wins the Louisiana Champions Day Turf at Fair Grounds. Hodges Photography / Amanda Hodges Weir
EXTRA CREDIT
Proud Citizen–Sunny Isles, by Stormy Atlantic
Breeder: Richard Klein & Bertram Klein
Owner: Klein Racing
Trainer: Brad H. Cox
Jockey: Shaun Bridgmohan

2nd
Fort Pulaski
Any Given Saturday–Jazznwithcandy, by Jambalaya Jazz
Breeder: Tigertail Ranch
Owner: Tigertail Ranch
Trainer: Danny Pish
Jockey: Jose Valdivia, Jr.
3rd
Trust Factor
Paddy O’Prado–Mainsail, byMizzen Mast
Breeder: J. Adcock & Hume Wornall
Owner: Scrivener Stables
Trainer: Michael J. Maker
Jockey: Robby Albarado
Louisiana Champions Day Starter Handicap
Fair Grounds, 12-9-17, @ 1  miles, turf
Three-Year-Olds and Upwards, Accredited Louisiana Breds
Purse: $50,000
Well's Gold_12-8-2017
Well’s Gold with Miguel Mena aboard wins the La Champions Day Starter Handicap Stakes at Fair Grounds. Hodges Photography / Amanda Hodges Weir
WELL’S GOLD
Gold Tribute-Lucky Buck’s Baby, by Spend A Buck
Breeder: J. Weldon Granger
Owner: James DeSoto
Trainer: F. Dewaine Loy
Jockey: Miguel Mena
2nd
Southern Mister
Yonaguska-Vicki’s Valentine, by Mi Selecto
Breeder: Mark W. Necaise
Owner: Darque Horse Racing LLC
Trainer: Eduardo Ramirez
Jockey: Kerwin Clark
3rd
Thunderberg
Teuflesberg-LIttle Rainmaker, by Thunder Gulch
Breeder: P & D Racing Stables
Owner: P & D Racing Stables
Trainer: Dana Whited
Jockey: Diego Saenz
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