Louisiana Futurity (Filly Div.)
Fair Grounds, 12-31-17, 6 furlongs, $96,430
Two-Year-Old, Accredited Louisiana Bred Fillies
IONA STAR
Star Guitar–Miss Peenyata, by Mr. Greeley
Breeder: Brittlyn Stables, Inc.
Owner: Brittlyn Stable, Inc.
Trainer: Justin Jeansonne
Jockey: Diego Saenz
2nd
Feisty Embrace
Brethren–Appalachianna, by Langfuhr
Breeder: Matalona Thoroughbreds, LLC
Owner: Matalona Thoroughbreds, LLC
Trainer: Albert M. Stall, Jr.
Jockey: Shaun Bridgmohan
3rd
Cool Spring
Concord Point–Thistle Bear, by Gators N Bears
Breeder: Tigertail Ranch
Owner: Tigertail Ranch
Trainer: Danny Pish
Jockey: Jose Valdivia, Jr.
Several Delta Downs-based horses shipped 231 miles east to New Orleans and two of them took home both divisions of the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots’ Louisiana Futurity on Sunday, Dec. 31.
In the fillies division, which carried a purse of $96,430, Brittlyn Stable Inc.’s Iona Star broke straight to the lead coming out of the gate, never looked back and won in wire-to-wire fashion.
Guided by jockey Diego Saenz, the two-year-old daughter of Star Guitar set opening fractions of 22.78, 46.63, and 58.95 before opening up on the field at the top of the stretch to win the Louisiana Futurity by four lengths. Feisty Embrace and Cool Spring were second and throughout the six-furlong journey and took the place and show spot, respectively. Overwhelming 1-5 favorite Champagne Diva was bumped at the start and did not fire finishing a disappointing fourth.
“She had a good trip,” Saenz said. “She was in front the whole time and that’s what we wanted. She likes the long stretch. She finished well.”
Iona Star entered her victory in the Louisiana Futurity off of a maiden win at Delta Downs on Nov. 21, which she also took in wire-to-wire fashion. She is trained by Justin Jeansonne.
“She broke real sharp,” Jeansonne said. “Her biggest thing is to get out of the gates, make the lead and keep her mind focused. Diego knows her and he’s been getting on her since her first work so he knows her pretty well.”
Iona Star gave back $14.20, $4.60 and $10.40 while Feisty Embrace returned $4.20 and $8. Cool Spring, who went off at 27-1, returned $25.40 to show.
She earned $57,138 from her triumph in the Louisiana Futurity fillies’ division and increased lifetime earnings to $79,578. She won her last two in four lifetime starts.
Rounding out the field are Champagne Diva, Girls Life and Bionic Butterfly.
Minit To Stardom, the 6-5 morning-line favorite, was scratched.