Shang wins the Louisiana Legends Turf. Coady Photography.
SHANG
Shanghai Bobby–Humble Janet
Breeder: Cloyce C. Clark Jr.
Owner: L. William and Corinne Heiligbrodt
Trainer: Steven M. Asmussen
Jockey: Joel Dominguez
2nd Treys Midnite Moon
Neko Bay–Peace Street
Breeder: David Thomas Rogers
Owner: Snake Racing LLC
Trainer: Corale A. Richards
Jockey: Jansen Melancon
3rd Trevilion
Lone Star Special–Spotsylvania
Breeder: Tigertail Ranch
Owner: Tigertail Ranch
Trainer: Ron Faucheux
Jockey: Diego Saenz
JOCKEY JOEL DOMINGUEZ AND TRAINER STEVE ASMUSSEN TEAM UP FOR TWO STAKES WINS ON THE PROGRAM
OPELOUSAS, LA – Evangeline Downs hosted Louisiana Legends Night, its annual celebration of the Louisiana-bred Thoroughbred, on Saturday night. There were six stakes races on the 10-race program, each with a $60,000 purse.
The evening began with a stylish victory in the $60,000 Cheval for 3-year-olds by the 1-9 betting favorite, Relentless Dancer. The colt, who has run against the likes of Belmont Stakes winner, Tiz The Law, and runner-up, Dr. Post, scored a 1-3/4 length victory covering the mile in 1:38.21 over the fast main track.
Relentless Dancer wins the Louisiana Legends Cheval. Coady Photography
Relentless Dancer sat just off the comfortable pace set by longshot Unwanted Intruder, who led through a quarter-mile of 24.69 seconds and a half-mile of 48.91. Jockey Ty Kennedy then sent him to the lead on the far turn, but he was challenged there by Sydster. Sydster hung in through the lane, but Relentless Dancer withstood his effort to claim the victory. Relentless Dancer paid $2.20 to win, $2.10 to place and $2.10 to show. Sydster paid $2.20 to place and $2.10 to show, while Jax Man returned $2.10 to show.
Relentless Dancer is by 2002 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner, Midshipman, and is out of the Benchmark mare, Passion For Words. He was bred in Louisiana by Paul Pruett and is owned by Paradise Farms Corp. and trained by Mike Maker. Relentless Dancer earned $36,000 for his victory, which increases his lifetime earnings to $155,838, and he has won three of seven career starts.
The $60,000 Turf Distaff was considered a three-horse race by the betting public and they were proven correct as the three favorites were the first three finishers. Mariah’s Galaxy prevailed in a stirring stretch drive to win by a head over Net A Bear in a final time of 1:37.15 for the one mile distance on the firm turf course.
Mariah’s Galaxy wins the Louisiana Legends Turf Distaff. Coady Photography
Mariah’s Galaxy was expertly handled by jockey Kevin Smith as she sat just off a three-horse pace battle through early fractions of 24.60 seconds for the quarter and 49.22 for the half. She was moved aggressively to challenge the leaders on the far turn and took the lead entering the stretch. Is Too tried to hang on after being part of that pace set-up, but could not go with Mariah’s Galaxy and Net A Bear, who trailed early on but rallied to be with Mariah’s Galaxy when it counted. Mariah’s Galaxy won at off odds of 7-2 and paid $9.20 to win, $4.40 to place and $2.10 to show. Net A Bear returned $3.20 to place and $2.10 to show, while Is Too paid $2.10 to show.
Mariah’s Galaxy is a 6-year-old mare bred in Louisiana by Margie Averett. She is owned by Riley Blanchet and Todd Matte and trained by Victor Arceneaux. Mariah’s Galaxy is by Greeley’s Galaxy and is out of the Devil His Due mare, Black Mariah. Her $36,000 first-place check bumps her lifetime earnings to $420,985. She has now won 11 of 27 career starts.
The first big upset of the night came in the $60,000 Mademoiselle, a race that featured a furious finish with five horses across the track inside the final furlong. Snowball was the horse on the far outside and she was the winner, coming through at odds of 12-1 and holding off fellow longshot, Saints N Muskets was came home second at odds of 23-1. Snowball finished the 5-1/2 furlongs in a time of 1:05.15.
Snowball wins the Louisiana Legends Mademoiselle. Coady Photography
The character of the race was altered slightly after the 9-5 betting favorite, Play Unified, missed the break slightly, and was last in the field of ten at the outset. A three-horse pace war developed between Our Lost Love, Dr. Liz and Echoesoftime as they tussled through a quarter of 22.02 seconds and a half of 45.79. The closers started to reel in the pace-setters as the field entered the stretch with Tensas Thought in with a chance in addition to Snowball and Saints N Muskets. Snowball simply outfinished everyone else to win by a half-length.
Snowball paid $26.20 to win, $10.80 to place and $4.20 to show. Saints N Muskets returned $22 to place and $9.40 to show. Play Unified managed to rally after her poor start to finish third and she paid $2.80 to show.
Snowball is by Apriority and is out of the Value Plus mare, Inner Peace. She was bred in Louisiana by 4M Ranch. Snowball is owned by Tin Roof Farms, LLC and trained by Sam Breaux. Ty Kennedy was aboard for his second stakes win of the evening. Her $36,000 first-place purse increases her lifetime earnings to $175,100 and she has now won three of her 20 career starts.
Shang was able to wear down the competition and come through in the $60,000 Turf as a 4-5 betting favorite. The early pace of the Turf was set by three horses as In The Navy broke on top, but was challenged by both Grand Luwegee and Trevilion through early fractions of 24.44 seconds for the quarter and 48.03 for the half. Shang sat right off that pace in fourth position as the field went to the turn and was sent up to challenge by jockey Joel Dominguez. He seized the lead in mid-stretch and withstood a late charge from Treys Midnite Moon and Trevilion to win by a half-length in a final time of 1:36.63 for the mile on the turf.
Shang wins the Louisiana Legends Turf. Coady Photography.
Shang paid $3.60 to win, $2.80 to place and $2.20 to show. Treys Midnite Moon won the photo for second and paid $11.80 to place and $7.40 to show. Trevilion paid $6 to show.
Shang is by Shanghai Bobby and is out of the Humble Eleven mare, Humble Janet. The 4-year-old colt is owned by Corinne and William Heiligbrodt and trained by Steve Asmussen. The win was his seventh in 14 career starts and the $36,000 first-place purse increases his lifetime earnings to $356,200.
The story in the $60,000 Sprint entering the evening was the attempt of Monte Man to successfully win the race three years in a row. That did not happen as the 7-5 betting favorite, Laughingsaintssong, grabbed control of the race on the far turn and went on to score an impressive victory in a final time of 1:04.22 for the 5-1/2 furlongs.
Laughingsaintsong wins the Louisiana Legends Sprint. Coady Photography.
A 60-1 longshot, A Flash Of Copper, set the early pace and was prompted by Scarlettsblackjack and Reckless Ransom through the early fractions of 22.28 for the quarter and 45.77 for the half. Laughingsaintssong was sent up into the fray by jockey Tim Thornton on the far turn and was able to power away through the stretch for a 1-3/4 length victory over Scarlettsblackjack, who stayed on well for second, while Monte Man was not a factor and finished third.
Laughingsaintssong paid $4.80 to win, $3.60 to place and $2.60 to show. Scarlettsblackjack paid $10 to place and $6.20 to show, while Monte Man returned $3.40 to show.
Laughingsaintssong was bred in Louisiana by J.E. Jumonville, Jr. and Bunny Jumonville. The 6-yeaar-old gelding is owned by Rodney J. Verret and trained by Allen Landry. He is by Songandaprayer and is out of the Vindication mare, Laughing Saint. The win was his 10th in 26 career starts and the $36,000 first-place check boosts his lifetime earnings to $363,010.
The final stakes race of the evening, the $60,000 Soiree, started off in a measured fashion as 95-1 longshot, Gator Proud, assumed the early lead and slowed things right down through a quarter-mile of 26.04 seconds and a half-mile of 51.54 seconds. Things picked up significantly as the field reached the far turn as the even-money favorite, Vacherie Girl, made her move. She was immediately challenged by Quikfast N Ahurry and Southern Liaison. That threesome fought all the way through the stretch before Vacherie Girl was able to prevail by a head in a final time of 1:41.39 for the mile on the main track.
Vacherie Girl wins the Louisiana Legends Soiree. Coady Photography.
Vacherie Girl paid $4.20 to win, $2.80 to place and $2.20 to show. Southern Liaison settled for second and paid $2.80 to place and $2.20 to show, while Quikfast N Ahurry paid $2.80 to show.
Vacherie Girl was the second winner of the night for the connections of owners Corinne and William Heiligbrodt, trainer Steve Asmussen and jockey Joel Dominguez. She was bred in Louisiana by Georgia Farms, Inc. Vacherie Girl is by Tapiture and is out of the Officer mare, Saucey Officer. The win was her fourth in six starts and the $36,000 first-place purse raises her lifetime earnings to $179,307.
Live racing at Evangeline Downs will resume on Wednesday night with a nine-race program. Post time on Wednesday will be 5:50 pm Central Time.
For more information on racing at Evangeline Downs, visit the track’s website at www.evdracing.com. Evangeline Downs’ Twitter handle is @EVDRacing and the racetrack is also accessible on Facebook at www.facebook.com/EvangelineDownsRacing.
About Evangeline Downs
Evangeline Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel is owned by Boyd Gaming Corporation, a leading diversified owner and operator of 29 gaming entertainment properties located in Nevada, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Boyd Gaming press releases are available at www.prnewswire.com. Additional news and information can be found at www.boydgaming.com, or www.evangelinedowns.com.
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.
JOCKEY DIEGO SAENZ IS THE RIDING STAR OF THE NIGHT WITH THREE STAKES WINS
OPELOUSAS, LA – Evangeline Downs hosted its annual celebration of the Louisiana-bred Thoroughbred on Saturday night with Louisiana Legends Night. There were eight stakes races with purses totaling $550,000, making it the richest night of the entire Thoroughbred season.
Louisiana Legends Mademoiselle
Evangeline Downs, 5-25-19, 5 1/2 furlongs
Three-Year-Olds and Upwards, Fillies and Mares, Accredited Louisiana Bred, $75,000
OURS TO RUN
Half Ours-Brown Eyed Baby
Breeder: Clifford Grum
Owner: Colonel Thoroughbreds, LLC
Trainer: J. Larry Jones
Jockey: R. Morales
2nd Our Millie
Half Ours–Magic Madam
Breeder: Barbara V. Rowell
Owner: Ming Yan Ng
Trainer: Ron Faucheux
Jockey: T. Thornton
3rd Tensas Thought
Custom for Carlos–Tensas Idea
Breeder: Curt Leake
Owner: Cash is King, LLC and Edward Johnston Racing Stables, Inc.
Trainer: Edward J. Johnston
Jockey: C.J. Hernandez
The first stakes race of the evening featured a returning champion in Ours to Run, who defended her victory in the $75,000 Mademoiselle by winning the race once again over a game Our Millie. Ours to Run was sent off as the biggest betting favorite of the night at odds of 1-9 and covered the 5-1/2 furlongs over the fast main track in a final time of 1:03.48 to win by 1-1/4 lengths.
Ours to Run was bred in Louisiana by Clifford Grum, is owned by Colonel Thoroughbreds, LLC, trained by Larry Jones and was ridden to victory by Roberto Morales. The 5-year-old mare is by Half Ours and is out of the Mineshaft mare, Brown Eyed Baby and has now extended her winning streak to six stakes races in a row.
SNOWBALL
Apriority–Inner Peace
Breeder: 4M Ranch
Owner: Tin Roof Farms LLC
Trainer: Samuel Breaux
Jockey: D. Saenz
2nd Net a Bear
Awesome Bet–Edacious Reality
Breeder: Lora Pitre & Elaine Carroll
Owner: Maximo Lamarche and Federico Deltoro
Trainer: Allen Landry
Jockey: S. Laviolette
3rd Cicada’s Song
Twirling Candy–Money for Makeup
Breeder: J. Adcock & Hume Wornall
Owner: John F. Youngblood
Trainer: Albert M. Stall, Jr.
Jockey: C.J. Hernandez
Snowball was sent right to the lead in the $75,000 Soiree by jockey Diego Saenz and she took that cue to lead every step of the way to score a 6-1 upset victory, finishing the one mile distance in a time of 1:39.69 to win by three-quarters of a length.
Snowball was bred in Louisiana by 4M Ranch, is owned by Tin Roof Farms, LLC, and trained by Sam Breaux. The 3-year-old filly is by Apriority and is out of the Value Plus mare, Inner Peace.
Louisiana Legends Distaff Starter
Evangeline Downs, 5-25-2019, 7 furlongs
Three-Year-Olds and Upwards, Fillies and Mares, Accredited Louisiana Bred, $50,000
GALAXY THIRTYSIX
Greeley’s Galaxy-Stang Thirtysix
Breeder: Gerald L. Averett, Jr.
Owner: Arian Haxhillari
Trainer: Ron Faucheux
Jockey: D. Saenz
2nd Tenpins Tempo
Tenpins-Perfect Time
Breeder: Elite Thoroughbreds
Owner: Elite Thoroughbred Racing LLC
Trainer: Lee Thomas
Jockey: C.J. Hernandez
3rd Kiss That Dude
First Dude-Kiss Me Tu
Breeder: Maverick Stables, Inc.
Owner: Wayne T. Davis
Trainer: Shane Wilson
Jockey: G. Melancon
Jockey Diego Saenz then made it back-to-back stakes wins on Louisiana Legends Night by coming through with a 3-1/2 length victory aboard Galaxy Thirtysix in the $50,000 Distaff Starter. The win was the second stakes victory of 2019 for Galaxy Thirtysix, who had previously won the $60,000 Premier Night Ladies Starter Stakes at Delta Downs on February 9.
Galaxy Thirtysix was bred in Louisiana by Gerald Averett, Jr., is owned by Arian Haxhillari and trained by Ron Faucheux. The 5-year-old mare is by Greeley’s Galaxy and is out of the Forty Won mare, Stang Thirtysix.
SHANG
Shanghai Bobby–Humble Janet
Breeder: Cloyce C. Clark Jr.
Owner: L. William and Corinne Heiligbrodt
Trainer: Steven M. Asmussen
Jockey: R.E. Eramia
2nd Power Jet
Power Broker–Zada Rae
Breeder: Joseph Adcock
Owner: William T. Reed
Trainer: W. Bret Calhoun
Jockey: C. R. Rosier
3rd Inspector Eddie
Mineshaft–Happy Choice
Breeder: Clear Creek Stud LLC
Owner: Cash is King LLC
Trainer: Edward J. Johnston
Jockey: C.J. Hernandez
Shang, who was sent off as a strong 3-5 favorite in the $75,000 Cheval, rewarded the faith of the betting public with a victory by one length over the 2019 Equine Sales Derby winner, Power Jet. Power Jet tried to go last-to-first, but his challenge was rebuffed easily by Shang, who finished the one mile in 1:38.26.
Shang was bred in Louisiana by Cloyce Clark, Jr. The 3-year-old colt is owned by Corrine and William Heiligbrodt, trained by Steve Asmussen and was ridden to victory by Richard Eramia. Shang is by Shanghai Bobby and is out of the Humble Eleven mare, Humble Janet.
Louisiana Legends Turf Distaff
Evangeline Downs, 5-25-2019, 8 furlongs (turf)
Three-Year-Olds and Upwards, Fillies and Mares, Accredited Louisiana Breds, $75,000
BERMUDA STAR
Star Guitar–Bermuda Bride
Breeder: Tom Curtis & Wayne Simpson
Owner: Brittlyn Stable, Inc.
Trainer: Victor Arceneaux
Jockey: D. Saenz
2nd Is Too
Midshipman–Tensas Salt
Breeder: J. Adcock & Montgomery Equine Center
Owner: Baronne Farms, LLC
Trainer: Edward J. Johnston
Jockey: C.J. Hernandez
3rd Tap Dance Star
Star Guitar–Dance by Em
Breeder: Virginia Lazenby
Owner: Virginia Lazenby Racing Stable LLC
Trainer: Oscar Modica
Jockey: G. Melancon
The first of two turf races on the program was the $75,000 Turf Distaff and Diego Saenz collected his third stakes victory of the night with Bermuda Star, who covered the one mile over the firm turf in a time of 1:37.19. Bermuda Star got first run on the pace-setting longshot, Mi Copa Rebosa, and then fended off a challenge from the 4-5 favorite, Is Too, to win by a half-length.
Bermuda Star was bred in Louisiana by Tom Curtis and Wayne Simpson. The 5-year-old mare is owned by Brittlyn Stable, Inc. and trained by Victor Arceneaux. She is by Star Guitar and out of the Runaway Groom mare, Bermuda Bride.
3rd Double Barrel Man
Musket Man–Double Points Day
Breeder: Michele Rodriguez
Owner: End Zone Athletics, Inc.
Trainer: Karl Broberg
Jockey: C.J. Hernandez
There was another winner from last year’s edition of Louisiana Legends Night defending his crown on Saturday night and that was the 2018 Louisiana-bred Horse of the Year, Monte Man, in the $75,000 Sprint. Monte Man had to overcome a slow start and rally five-wide on the far turn, but he managed to survive those troubles and win by three-quarters of a length in a final time of 1:03.48 for the 5-1/2 furlongs.
Monte Man was ridden to victory by Gerard Melancon, who was also aboard for that 2018 score. The 6-year-old gelding was the second win on the night for trainer Ron Faucheux. He was bred in Louisiana by Val C. Murrell and is owned by Ivery Sisters Racing. Monte Man is by Custom For Carlos and is out of the Sutter’s Prospect mare, Sarah’s My Angel.
MAGEEZ
Musket Man–Spaseeba
Breeder: James A. Mcgehee Jr.
Owner: Double Dam Farm LLC
Trainer: Delmar R. Caldwell
Jockey: R. Morales
2nd In The Navy
Midshipman–Southern Princess
Breeder: Ken Standlee
Owner: Ken Standlee
Trainer: Scott Gelner
Jockey: D. Saenz
3rd Theoryintopractice
Into Mischief–Cayman Colada
Breeder: Cypress Bend Farm
Owner: Courtney Barousse
Trainer: Steven M. Asmussen
Jockey: R. Eramia
It was a return to the grass for the $75,000 Turf, which provided one of the more exciting finishes of the night, as Mageez just beat out In the Navy for the win and denied Diego Saenz a fourth stakes victory. Instead, it was Roberto Morales who collected win number two on the evening, as Mageez won by a head and finished the 1-1/16 miles in a time of 1:43.27.
Mageez is owned by Double Dam Farm, LLC, of Delmar Caldwell, who is also the trainer. The 6-year-old horse was bred in Louisiana by James A. McGehee, Jr. Mageez is by Musket Man and is out of the Spectacular Bid mare, Spaseeba.
Louisiana Legends Starter
Evangeline Downs, 5-25-2019, 1 1/16 miles
Three-Year-Olds and Upwards, Accredited Louisiana Bred, $50,000
JUST STORMIN
Freud-Crypto Cream
Breeder: Tom Curtis & Wayne Simpson
Owner: Craig Drago
Trainer: Allen Landry
Jockey: K.D. Clark
2nd Lucky Andy
Lookin At Lucky-Sweet Britches
Breeder: George Gary Guidry MD & Walter Dwayne Brown MD
Owner: Hardy Racing Stables LLC
Trainer: Keith G. Bourgeois
Jockey: G. Melancon
3rd I Am Ready Again
Prado Again-Fillyocity
Breeder: Harry D. Williamson & Charles J. Guilbeau Jr.
Owner: End Zone Athletics
Trainer: Karl Broberg
Jockey: R. Morales
The $50,000 Starter was the final stakes race on the program and the 3-5 favorite, Just Stormin, proved best after being headed on the turn by I Am Ready Again. Just Stormin re-rallied in the stretch and ended up winning by 1-1/2 lengths in a time of 1:45.40 for the 1 1/16 miles.
Just Stormin was bred in Louisiana by Tom Curtis and Wayne Simpson. The 7-year-old gelding is owned by Craig Drago, trained by Allen Landry and was ridden to victory by Kerwin Clark. Just Stormin is by Freud and is out of the Cryptoclearance mare, Crypto Cream.
Live racing at Evangeline Downs will resume on Wednesday night with a nine-race program. Post time on Wednesday will be 5:50 pm Central Time.
For more information on the Thoroughbred season at Evangeline Downs, visit the track’s website at www.evdracing.com. Evangeline Downs’ Twitter handle is @EVDRacing and the racetrack is also accessible on Facebook at www.facebook.com/EvangelineDownsRacing.
About Evangeline Downs
Evangeline Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel is owned by Boyd Gaming Corporation, a leading diversified owner and operator of 22 gaming entertainment properties located in Nevada, New Jersey, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. Boyd Gaming press releases are available at www.prnewswire.com. Additional news and information can be found at www.boydgaming.com, or www.evangelinedowns.com.
Shang with jockey Jose Ortiz aboard pulls away from the field to win the 47th running of the Crescent City Derby at Fair Grounds. Hodges Photography / Lou Hodges, Jr.
SHANG
Shanghai Bobby–Humble Janet
Breeder: Cloyce C. Clark Jr.
Owner: L. William and Corinne Heiligbrodt
Trainer: Steven M. Asmussen
Jockey: Jose L. Ortiz
2nd Jus Lively
Paddy O’Prado–Lively Number, by Mt. Livermore
Breeder: Pine Knoll Farm
Owner: Ellen Addison
Trainer: Steven M. Asmussen
Jockey: Florent Geroux
3rd Silver King
Paddy O’Prado–K Brown, by Alphabet Soup
Breeder: Keith J. Hernandez, Earl J. Hernandez & John Duvieilh
Owner: Keith J. Hernandez, Earl J. Hernandez & John Duvieilh
Trainer: Sam B. David, Jr.
Jockey: Marcelino Pedroza
Louisiana Premier Night Prince S. Delta Downs, 2-9-19, 1 mile 3YOs, Accredited Louisiana Breds, $100,000
SHANG
Shanghai Bobby-Humble Janet, by Humble Eleven
Breeder: Cloyce C. Clark, Jr.
Owner: L. William and Corinne Heiligbrodt
Trainer: Steven M. Asmussen
Jockey: D. Saenz
2nd Classy John
Songandaprayer-Kitty’s Got Class, by Old Forester
Breeder: Tom Curtis & Wayne Simpson
Owner: Valene Farms LLC
Trainer: Dallas Stewart
Jockey: C.J. Lanerie
3rd Jimi’s A Star
Star Guitar-Unusual Strike, by Unusual Heat
Breeder: James Boyd
Owner: James A. Boyd
Trainer: Henry B. Johnson, Jr.
Jockey: E. Nieves
Grand Luwegee wins the $150,000 Louisiana Premier Night Championship Stakes at Delta Downs, Saturday, February 9th. Coady Photography
– JOCKEY DIEGO SAENZ TALLIES FOUR STAKES WINS ON RICH NIGHT OF RACING –
VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs hosted its richest program of the season on Saturday night with another edition of Louisiana Premier Night. The 12-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. The race was won by Grand Luwegee with jockey Diego Saenz in the saddle for owner, breeder and trainer Gerard Perron. The win was the third of four victories on the night for Saenz.
After the race, Perron praised Saenz for a special talent he used to help Grand Luwegee get to the winner’s circle following his first stakes win.
“Diego’s got the hands that this horse needs,” Perron stated. “He’s proven it each time he’s ridden him.”
Perron also explained how Grand Luwegee got his unique name.
“I let my grandsons name my horses and Bryce, who is six, came up with the name.”
Grand Luwegee’s win came with a front-running, rail skimming trip after he broke alertly from the inside post position in a field of 10. The 4-year-old carved our fractional times of 23.91 seconds for the opening quarter-mile, 48.33 for the half, and 1:13.30 for three-quarters. At the top of the lane he owned a three-length lead before turning back a late challenge by Givemeaminit and won by a neck on the finish line. Mageez finished another 3 ¾-lengths behind in third.
The final time for the Championship was 1:45.80 over a fast track.
Grand Luwegee has now won five of 13 career starts and his $90,000 paycheck on Saturday raised his overall bankroll to $235,360.
Bred in Louisiana, Grand Luwegee is a dark bay or brown colt by El Corredor, out of the Gold Fever mare Magical Mia.
Sent to the gate at odds of 11-1, Grand Luwegee paid $24.20 to win, $10 to place and $6.40 to show. Givemeaminit returned $4 to place and $3 to show. Mageez was worth $7.20 to show.
In other action on Louisiana Premier Night it was Hyper Piper winning the $125,000 Distaff under jockey Tim Thornton. The grey 6-year-old is trained by Sam B. David, Jr. and is owned by Earl J. Hernandez, Keith Hernandez and John Duvieilh.
This year’s $100,000 Sprint was taken by Wonder Run, who was guided to victory by jockey Diego Saenz, Wonder Run is a 6-year-old gelding who is trained by Steven Flint and is owned by Whispering Oak Farm, LLC.
James McIngvale’s 3-year-old Goodprofit proved best in this year’s $100,000 Starlet while being ridden by Gerard Melancon. The 3-year-old bay runner is trained by Chris Richard.
A strong rally in the stretch got Shang to the winner’s circle in the $100,000 Prince with jockey Diego Saenz aboard. Shang is owned by Corinne and William Heiligbrodt and is conditioned by Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen.
Ours to Run won her second straight $100,000 Matron this year as she turned in a strong performance under jockey Roberto Morales. The winner is owned by Colonel Thoroughbreds LLC and is trained by Larry Jones.
Galaxy Thirtysix gave Delta Downs leading trainer Karl Broberg a win on the program in the $60,000 Ladies Starter, as she drew clear in the lane under jockey Tim Thornton. Galaxy Thirtysix is owned by End Zone Athletics, Inc.
Jockey Kerwin Clark rode a masterful race in the $60,000 Gentlemen Starter to earn the victory aboard Just Stormin. The Allen Landry trainee is owned by Craig Drago.
In the $50,000 Bon Temps Starter it was Toomuch getting the victory with Diego Saenz in the saddle. Toomuch is owned by Darque Horse Racing, LLC and is trained by Eduardo Ramirez.
And finally, Hunker Down took the $50,000 Ragin Cajun Starter with jockey Adam Beschizza aboard for trainer Ron Faucheux, who owns the 6-year-old gelding in partnership with Ming Yan Ng.
Delta Downs will embark on its 18th week of live racing Wednesday night with a 10-race program that kicks off at 5:25 pm. The current season runs through March 9.
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.
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