Category: Stakes

Dontmesswithjoanne Makes Powerful Stretch Run To Win The Red Camelia Stakes

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Dontmesswithjoanne_3-18-2018-IR
Dontmesswithjoanne with jockey Joe Bravo aboard captures the 42nd running of the Red Camelia Stakes at Fair Grounds. Hodges Photography / Amanda Hodges Weir

Red Camelia Stakes
Fair Grounds, 3-17-18, @ 1 mile, turf, $60,000
Accredited Louisiana Breds, 4-Year-Olds and Upwards, Fillies and Mares

DONTMESSWITHJOANNE
Pioneerof the Nile–Cinnamon Kisses
Breeder: Gulf Haven Farms, LLC
Owner: Zayat Stables, LLC
Trainer: Brad H. Cox
Jockey: Joe Bravo

2nd
Mr. Al’s Gal
Salute the Sarge–Spanish Ice
Breeder: J. Adcock & Neal McFadden
Owner: Brittlyn Stable, Inc.
Trainer: Justin Jeansonne
Jockey: Diego Saenz

3rd
Pera
Drosselmeyer–Changing Seasons
Breeder: James McIngvale
Owner: HP Thoroughbreds LLC (Brandon Hillman)
Trainer: Ricky Courville
Jockey: Ashley Broussard

 

By Ryan Martin

Zayat Stables LLC’s Dontmesswithjoanne ($12.60, $5.80, $4.20) laid well off the pace to score and made a big move down the top of the stretch to defeat ten other Louisiana-bred fillies and mares in the 42nd running of the Red Camelia Stakes over the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots’ Stall-Wilson Turf Course on Saturday afternoon.

Trained by Brad Cox, the 4-year-old daughter of Pioneerof the Nile was saving ground around the first turn and was unhurried throughout the early stages of the race. Meanwhile, Florida invader Viva Vegas set a slow pace early on and produced opening fractions of 24.05, 48.77, and 1:15.01. Mr. Al’s Gal tracked not too far behind in second. At the top of the stretch, Viva Vegas’ lead began to dwindle but she still appeared to have something left. However, Mr. Al’s Gal began to purse Viva Vegas to her inside and briefly took the lead, but was unable to hold off a charge from Dontmesswithjoanne who won going away with Joe Bravo in the irons. Mr. Al’s Gal ($6.60, $6.80) was second and 71-1 longshot Pera finished third ($19.60).  Dontmesswithjoanne finished in a time of 1:40.48.

“You had those times and with the soft turf I think they got a hold of it,” Bravo said. “With a filly like this you just have to make sure that she was happy. She picked herself and went with it. When you ride the best horse, it’s easy. That’s the bottom line.”

The Red Camelia Stakes was a first stakes victory for Dontmesswithjoanne, which pushed her career earnings to $158,695. She earned $36,000 from Saturday’s win. In 11 career starts, she has won four races with three seconds and one third.

Rounding out the order of finish were Pacific Pink, Viva Vegas, Inveniam Viam, Safari Calamari, P Boo, Temple Shadow, Tap City Baby and Beleiveinsomething.

BITSY’S AFLEET RALLIES TO WIN THE PELICAN STAKES

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BITSY'S AFLEET - Pelican Stakes - 7th Running - 03-10-18 - R07 - DED - Finish 2
Marcelino Pedroza guides Bitsy’s Afleet to victory in the 2018 Pelican Stakes at Delta Downs. Photo by Coady Photography.

Pelican Stakes
Delta Downs, 3-10-18, 6 1/2 furlongs, $80,000
Accredited Louisiana Bred, 3-year-olds

BITSY’S AFLEET
Northern Afleet–Streamin Bitsy
Breeder: Rose C. Hernandez & Earl Hernandez
Owner: Earl and Rose Hernandez
Trainer: Sam B. David, Jr.
Jockey: Marcelino Pedroza

2nd
Grand Luwegee
El Corredor–Magical Mia
Breeder: Gerard Perron
Owner: Gerard Perron
Trainer: Gerard Perron
Jockey: Roberto Morales

3rd
Double Star
Star Guitar–Bond Queen
Breeder: Thomas Edward Vinci & Bill Mayfield
Owner: Four Star Racing
Trainer: Robert D. Schultz
Jockey: Jose Andres Guerrero

Delta Downs capped off its 2017-18 Thoroughbred season on Saturday night with a 12-race program that included the $80,000 Pelican Stakes was won by Earl and Rose Hernandez’s Bitzy’s Afleet.

 Bitsy’s Afleet’s effort in the Pelican Stakes came with a masterful ride by jockey Marcelino Pedroza, who sat well off a rapid early pace set by Top Money and Grand Luwegee. That pair carved out fractional times of 23.20 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 46.82 for the half before clicking off three-quarters in 1:12.97. That set things up perfectly for Bitsy’s Afleet who took command at the top of the homestretch and drew clear for a decisive 2-1/2 length victory over Grand Luwegee with Double Star finishing another 3-3/4 lengths back in third. The final time for the Sam B. David, Jr. trainee in the 6 ½-furlong race was 1:19.69 over a fast track.

 The win marked Bitsy’s Afleet’s third in four lifetime starts. He earned $48,000 for the effort and now has a career bankroll of $110,400.

 Bitsy’s Afleet is a 3-year-old dark bay or brown gelding by Northern Afleet, out of the Ford Every Stream mare Streamin Bitsy. He was bred in Louisiana by his owners.

 Sent to the gate at odds of 4-5, Bitsy’s Afleet paid $3.80 to win, $2.80 to place and $2.40 to show. Grand Luwegee was worth $4.20 to place and $3.20 to show. Double Star paid $4 for the show.

 

Delta Downs will now be dark until its 2018 American Quarter Horse Season gets underway on April 20. The 46-day meeting will run through July 7 with live racing conducted each Wednesday through Saturday night at 6:15 pm.

 

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.

 

LA MISTAKE FLAWLESS WHILE WINNING THE AZALEA STAKES

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LA MISTAKE - The Azalea - 10th Running - 03-09-18 - R07 - DED - Finish 2
La Mistake with Gerard Melancon aboard wins the 2018 Azalea Stakes at Delta Downs. Photo by Coady Photography

Azalea Stakes
Delta Downs, 3-9-18, 6 1/2 furlongs, $80,000
Accredited Louisiana Bred, 3-year-old fillies

LA MISTAKE
Bind – Guculka Ksenya
Breeder: Cantrell Family Partnership
Owner: Cantrell Family Partnership
Trainer: Brett A. Brinkman
Jockey: G. Melancon

2nd
Yes Gorgeous
Mass Media-Isn’t She Gorgeous
Breeder: J. Adcock & Montgomery Equine Center
Owner: Scott Gelner
Trainer: Scott Gelner
Jockey: D. Saenz

3rd
Fame Feather
Lion Tamer-Pretty Indian
Breeder: Ramona M. Pierce
Owner: Picard Thoroughbreds Racing Stable LLC
Trainer: Ron Faucheux
Jockey: S. Doyle

 

Delta Downs kicked off its closing weekend of live Thoroughbred racing on Friday night with an 11-race program that included the $80,000 Azalea for 3-year-old Louisiana-bred fillies.

The Azalea was won impressively by Cantrell Family Partnership’s La Mistake with jockey Gerard Melancon in the saddle for his first of two stakes tallies on the night. The Brett Brinkman trainee pressed the early pace set by longshot Ms Sassy Butclassy as she carved out fractional times of 23.25 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 47.71 for the half in the 6 ½-furlong test for horses who had never won a stakes race.

As the field of 10 entered the second turn of the race, La Mistake took the lead and began to draw clear. In the home-stretch she held a comfortable lead over Yes Gorgeous, who was a game second but no threat to the winner. On the finish line, La Mistake was 3-3/4 lengths in front of Yes Gorgeous while Fame Feather was another 6-1/4 lengths behind in third. La Mistake covered the distance in 1:20.13 while running on a fast track.

The win by La Mistake was the third of her four-race career. She earned $48,000 for the effort and now owns a bankroll of $96,600.

Bred in Louisiana by her owner, La Mistake is a 3-year-old bay daughter of Bind, out of the Lion Heart mare Guculka Ksenya.

Sent to the gate at odds of 4-5, La Mistake paid $3.80 to win, $3 to place and $2.10 to show. Yes Gorgeous was worth $5 to place and $3 to show. Fame Feather returned $2.60 to show.

MOBILE BAY WINS SECOND STRAIGHT LOUISIANA PREMIER NIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

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MOBILE BAY - The LA Bred Night Championship - 15th Running - 02-10-18 - R09 - DED - Finish
Mobile Bay wins the $170,000 Louisiana Premier Night Championship. Photo by Coady Photography.

VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs hosted the 15th edition of Louisiana Premier Night on Saturday and the fans who attended the rainy evening program were treated to 12-race card that included 10 stakes races worth total purse money of more than $1 million. The featured event on the big night for Louisiana-bred horses was the $170,000 Louisiana Premier Night Championship, which was won for the second consecutive year by Tigertail Ranch’s Mobile Bay.

Under jockey Diego Saenz the Victor Arceneaux trainee tracked the early pace set by Temprano, who carved out fractional times of 24.65 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 48.77 for the half. As the field of six entered the second turn of the 1 1/16-mile test for older horses, Mobile Bay took command after traveling three-quarters of a mile in 1:14.08, opening up a lead of nearly two lengths. But the race was far from over.

In the homestretch, Mobile Bay drifted out while Underpressure began to cut into the leader’s advantage stride by stride while hugging the rail under Gerard Melancon. At the finish line only a nose separated the rivals with Mobile Bay taking home the winner’s trophy. Social Misfit wound up third another 5-1/2 lengths behind the top pair. The final time in the Louisiana Premier Night Championship was 1:46.49. Each race on the rich program was contested over a sealed track listed as sloppy.

Mobile Bay has now won 12 of 27 lifetime starts. He earned $102,000 for his win on Saturday and now boasts a lifetime bankroll of $1,198,440. The dark bay or brown horse went over the $1 million mark in career earnings with his win the Championship last year.

Bred in Louisiana by his owner, Mobile Bay is a 6-year-old by Lone Star Special, out of the Out of Place mare Tranquility Bay.

Mobile Bay was sent to the gate at odds of 3-5 and returned $3.40 to win, $2.20 to place and $2.10 to show. Underpressure was worth $3 to place and $2.40 to show. Social Misfit paid $4.20 to show.

In other stakes activity on the program it was Pacific Pink winning the $145,000 Louisiana Premier Night Distaff under jockey Colby Hernandez, who got a riding double on the card. Pacific Pink is trained by Edward J. Johnston and is owned by Keith Plaisance.

This year’s $100,000 Louisiana Premier Night Sprint was taken by Ivery Sisters Racing’s Monte Man, who was ridden to victory by Gerard Melancon. Monte Man is trained by Ron Faucheux.

Jockey Roberto Morales notched a riding triple on the special night of racing included two stakes scores. He booted home Gladyousawme in the $120,000 Louisiana Premier Night Prince for owner Klein Racing and trainer Brad Cox. He also made it to the winner’s circle in the $120,000 Louisiana Premier Night Matron aboard the Larry Jones trainee Ours to Run, who is owned by Colonel Thoroughbreds LLC.

The $120,000 Louisiana Premier Night Starlet was annexed by Al and Bill Ulwelling’s Remember Daisy, who was ridden to victory by Mitchell Murrill. Remember Daisy is conditioned by Gary Scherer.

The Phillip Dison trainee Zyanara pulled a 28-1 upset in winning the $70,000 Louisiana Premier Night Ladies Starter. She was ridden to victory by Alfredo Contreras and is owned by Indian Creek Thoroughbred Farms, LLC.

The $70,000 Louisiana Premier Night Gentleman Starter was taking by Theoryintopractice, who was piloted by Colby Hernandez and is trained by Corale Richards. Theoryintopractice is owned by Courtney Barousse.

Elegant Idea took the $60,000 Louisiana Premier Night Bon Temps Starter with jockey Odilon Martinez riding for Delta Downs leading trainer Karl Broberg. End Zone Athletics, Inc. owns Elegant Idea.

And finally, it was River Bobcat who won the $60,000 Louisiana Premier Night Ragin Cajun Starter under jockey Timothy Thornton. The Eduardo Ramirez trainee is owned by Jacqueline Savoy.

Delta Downs will kick off its 18th week of live racing on Wednesday night with a 10-race program that begins at 5:40 pm. The current season runs through March 10.

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.

 

DELTA DOWNS PREPARING FOR LOUISIANA PREMIER NIGHT ON SATURDAY

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–  $170,000 LAPN CHAMPIONSHIP HIGHLIGHTS LUCRATIVE CARD FOR LOUISIANA-BREDS –

  

VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs is gearing up for another rich race program on Saturday as the track hosts the 15th edition of Louisiana Premier Night. The 12-race program will feature 10 stakes races for Louisiana-breds worth $1,055,000 in total purse money. There will be a special first post time for the rich program of 5:20 pm Central Time.

Saturday’s featured race will be the $170,000 Louisiana Premier Night Championship for older horses competing at 1-1/16 miles, which will be the ninth race on the program. This year’s Championship has attracted a field of seven including 2017 winner and graded stakes hero Mobile Bay as well as last year’s Louisiana Premier Night Prince winner, Underpressure.

The $120,000 Louisiana Premier Night Distaff field will include Hyper Piper, who won the Lookout Stakes on January 5; Mr. Al’s Gal, who took last year’s Louisiana Premier Night Starlet; and multiple stakes winner Pacific Pink, who has earned over $522,000 during her illustrious career.

Delta Downs will offer a $50,000 guaranteed all stakes Pick 4 wager on the special Louisiana Premier Night program. The special Pick 4 will take place on race 6 – 9, which includes the evening’s richest race, the $170,000 Louisiana Premier Night Championship.

Listed below are all 10 Louisiana Premier Night stakes races for 2018 in program order. 

Race #             Purse              Stakes Race                                                    Distance                      Age

2                      $60,000           LAPN Ragin Cajun Starter                             5 furlongs                    4yo & up

3                      $70,000           LAPN Ladies Starter                                       1 mile                          4yo & up FM

4                      $60,000           LAPN Bon Temps Starter                               5 furlongs                    4yo & up

5                      $120,000         LAPN Starlet                                                   1 mile                          3yo Fillies

6                      $70,000           LAPN Gentleman Starter                                1-1/16 mile                  4yo & up

7                      $120,000         LAPN Prince                                                   1 mile                          3yo

8                      $120,000         LAPN Sprint                                                   5 furlongs                    4yo & up

9                      $170,000         LAPN Championship                                      1-1/16 miles                4yo & up

10                    $120,000         LAPN Matron                                                 5 furlongs                    4yo & up FM

11                    $145,000         LAPN Distaff                                                  1 mile                          4yo & up FM

 

The Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association will be awarding two $1,000 college scholarships via a drawing that will take place on Louisiana Premier Night. Entries for the drawing will be taken between 4:20-5:40 pm in the promenade area. To qualify for the drawing, entrants must be enrolled in a good standing in a Louisiana school. The winners of the scholarships will be announced during the program.

For more information about Louisiana Premier Night and the remainder of Delta Downs’ current season, which runs through March 11, visit the track’s website at www.deltadownsracing.com. Fans can also follow the track on Facebook and Twitter.

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.

TESTING ONE TWO SCORES RESOUNDING VICTORY IN THE TAKE CHARGE BRANDI STAKES

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Take Charge Brandi Stakes
Delta Downs, 1-12-18, 7 furlongs, $60,000
3YO fillies

TESTING ONE TWO
Star Guitar – Yes Sir
B- Brittlyn, Inc.
O- Brittlyn Stable, Inc.
T- Victor Arceneaux
J- D. Saenz

TESTING ONE TWO - The 6th Running of the Take Charge Brandi Stakes - 01-12-18 - R07 - DED-02

The $60,000 Take Charge Brandi Stakes was won impressively by Brittlyn Stable, Inc.’s Testing One Two under jockey Diego Saenz, Friday night at Delta Downs in Vinton, LA.

The Take Charge Brandi was a seven-furlong test for 3-year-old fillies and Testing One Two, who is trained by Victor Arceneaux, used a stalking style plus a strong finish in the stretch to win the event by a widening four lengths over Upset Brewing. Laudation finished another 1-1/2 lengths behind the top pair in third. The winner covered the distance over a fast track in 1:27.08.

The victory by Testing One Two marked her third win in a row and her second straight tally in stakes company. She also took the Louisiana Legacy at Delta Downs on November 17 by an astounding 16-1/2 lengths while making her stakes debut. Testing One Two earned $36,000 for her exploits in the Take Charge Brandi and now boasts a career bankroll of $150,135. 

Bred in Louisiana by her owner, Testing One Two is a bay filly by Star Guitar, out of the Scat Daddy mare Yes Sir.

Sent to the gate as the 6-5 wagering favorite, Testing One Two paid $4.40 to win, $2.80 to place and $2.20 to show. Upset Brewing was worth $3.20 to place and $2.10 to show. Laudation returned $3.20 to show.

PADDY O’LIONEL RALLIES FOR VICTORY IN THE B-CONNECTED STAKES AT DELTA DOWNS

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B-Connected Stakes
Delta Downs, 1-6-18, 1 Mile, $65,000
Accredited Louisiana Breds, 4YOs and Upwards

PADDY O’LIONEL
Paddy O’Prado–Dana’s Lucky Lady
B- Sugarland Thoroughbreds, LLC
O- Phyllis J. Hodges
T- James E. Hodges
J- Gerardo Mora

2nd
Social Misfit
Porto Foricos–Unfriendly Koo
B- Earl Hernandez & Keith Hernandez
O- End Zone Athletics, Inc.
T- Karl Broberg
J- Luis Negron

3rd
Harbor Pilot
Trappe Shot–Harbor Princess
B- Curt Leake
O- Red Rose Racing
T- Scott Gelner
J- Diego Saenz

 

– JAMES HODGES TRAINEE ENJOYS THE FIRST STAKES WIN OF HIS CAREER – 

VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs closed out its 12th week of racing on Saturday night with an 11-race program that included the $65,000 B-Connected Stakes for Louisiana-breds competing at one mile. The event was won by Phyllis J. Hodges’ Paddy O’Lionel, who rallied from far behind under jockey Gerardo Mora to snare the first stakes win of his career.

After breaking a step slow from the inside post position, Paddy O’Lionel dropped back to last position in the field of nine. Meanwhile the early pace was set by Rocketringo, who carved out fractional times of 22.68 seconds for the quarter-mile, 46.74 for the half, and 1:12.51 for three quarters.

As the field made their way up the backstretch Paddy O’Lionel began to gain momentum and swung wide around the far turn following Social Misfit, who was also rallied from far back. In the home-stretch it was the wagering favorite, Harbor Pilot, who drove to the lead but it was short lived as Social Misfit took over at the sixteenth pole. In the final strides it was a dash to the wire with Paddy O’Lionel putting his nose down and getting the narrowest of victories. Harbor Pilot settled for third another 4-1/4 lengths behind the top pair.

Paddy O’Lionel covered the eight furlongs of the B-Connected in a time of 1:39.98 seconds. The race was contested over a fast track.

Paddy O’Lionel has now won four of 13 career starts. Saturday’s night’s score earned him $39,000 and raised his lifetime bankroll to $131,200.

Bred in Louisiana by Sugarland Thoroughbreds, LLC, Paddy O’Lionel is a chestnut son of Paddy O’Prado, out of the Lucky Lionel mare Dana’s Lucky Lady.

Sent to the gate at odds of 9-2, Paddy O’Lionel returned $11.80 to win, $5.60 to place and $3.20 to show. Social Misfit was worth $6.80 to place and $3.20 to show. Harbor Pilot paid $2.60 to show.

HYPER PIPER CRUISES TO VICTORY IN THE LOOKOUT STAKES AT DELTA DOWNS

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HYPER PIPER - The 12th Running of the Lookout Stakes - 01-05-18 - R08 - DED_001

Lookout Stakes
Delta Downs, 1-5-18, 1 Mile, $65,000
Accredited Louisiana Bred Fillies and Mares, 4YOs and Upwards

HYPER PIPER
Old Fashioned – Filaree by Saros (GB)
B-Earl Hernandez, Keith Hernandez & John Duvieilh
O- Earl Hernandez, Keith Hernandez & John Duvieilh
T- Sam B. David, Jr.
J – T. Thornton

2nd
Shea’s Lil Shug
Gigawatt-Pourjedajour
B- Shea Stakes
O- Dos Locos Tejanos Racing
T- Eduardo Ramirez
J- R Morales

3rd
Sweet Pea Mama Ve
Hard Spun – Miss Confusion
B- Earl Hernandez, Keith Hernandez, John Duvieilh & Bill Langford
O- Earl Hernandez, Keith Hernandez & John Duvieilh
T- Sam B. David, Jr.
J- D Saenz

 

– SAM B. DAVID, JR. TRAINEE GETS HER FIRST STAKES WIN AND THIRD WIN IN A ROW –

VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs hosted its first stakes of the new calendar year on Friday night and it was Hyper Piper who notched her third win in a row and her first in stakes company while taking the $65,000 Lookout Stakes for Louisiana-bred fillies and mares. The Sam B. David, Jr. trainee was ridden to victory by jockey Timothy Thornton.

After breaking sharply in the one-mile test for 4-year-olds and upward, Hyper Piper stalked the early pace set by Pera, who covered the opening quarter-mile in 23.65 seconds and the half-mile in 48.44. As the field of 10 entered the far turn Thornton asked his mount for her best run and she responded by opening up a three-length lead at the top of the homestretch. The 4-5 wagering favorite then proceeded to cruise home unchallenged and won the race by 2-1/2 lengths over Shea’s Lil Shug. Sweet Pea Mama Ve finished another half-length behind the top pair in third.

The win by Hyper Piper, who is owned by John Duvielh, Keith J. & Earl J. Hernandez, was her sixth overall from 12 career starts. She earned $39,000 for her effort which raised her bankroll to $166,110.

Hyper Piper is a gray or roan mare by Old Fashioned out of the Saros (GB) mare Filaree. She was bred in Louisiana by her owners.

The wagering public had the Lookout figured out as Hyper Piper paid $3.80 to win, $2.60 to place and $2.40 to show. Shea’s Lil Shug returned $5 to place and $3.60 to show, Sweet Pea Mama Ve was worth $4.80 to show.

Pound For Pound is First Stakes Winner for Redding Colliery

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Israel Flores Horses’ Pound for Pound, who finished a neck in front  his competition in the colt and gelding division of the Louisiana Futurity for 2-year-old Accredited Louisiana-breds, was the first black-type winner for his sire Redding Colliery. Pound For Pound made an eight-day return to the races to hold off 4-5 favorite Givemeaminit down the Fair Grounds stretch and light up the tote board at odds of 21-1. Pound For Pound’s last start was just last Saturday, Dec. 23 where he defeated seven other Louisiana-breds in a 7½-furlong allowance event at his Delta Downs home base. In October, he broke his maiden first time out at 48-1 odds.

Redding Colliery, a Grade 2 stakes winning son of Mineshaft stands at Red River Farms in Louisiana for a 2018 fee of $2,000.

Iona Star, Pound For Pound Win Louisiana Futurities

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By Ryan Martin

 

Iona Star_12-31-2017_F
Brittlyn Stable’s Iona Star breezes to the finish with Diego Saenz aboard in the Louisiana Futurity – Filly Division at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans. Hodges Photography / Lou Hodges, Jr

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.

 

 

Pound For Pound_12-31-2017_F
Pound for Pound, with Miguel Mena aboard, beat Givemeaminit in a close race for the Louisiana Futurity – Colt and Gelding Division at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans. Hodges Photography / Lou Hodges, Jr

Louisiana Futurity (Colt & Gelding Div.)
Fair Grounds, 12-31-17, 6 furlongs, $104,930
Two-Year-Old, Accredited Louisiana Breds

POUND FOR POUND
Redding Colliery–Buttercup’s Song, by Unbridled’s Song
Breeder: J. Adcock & B&B Bloodstock
Owner: Israel Flores Horses LLC
Trainer: Jose Grimaldo
Jockey: Miguel Mena

2nd
Givemeaminit
Star Guitar–Powerful Nation, by Turkoman
Breeder: Clear Creek Stud LLC
Owner: Valene Farms LLC
Trainer: Dallas Stewart
Jockey: Shaun Bridgmohan

3rd
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

 

Four races later, Israel Flores Horses LLC’s Pound For Pound made an eight-day return to the races to hold off 4-5 favorite Givemeaminit down the Fair Grounds stretch and light up the tote board at odds of 21-1 in the colts and gelding division of the $104,930 Louisiana Futurity.

Trained by Jose Grimaldo and ridden to victory by Miguel Mena, the two-year-old son of Redding Colliery came from well off a swift pace led by Divine Bean, who threw down opening fractions of 21.84 and 45.15 before giving way in mid-stretch to Ready Prospector who led at the five-eighths mark in 58.06. Finally, Ready Prospector was passed up by Pound For Pound and Givemeaminit who battled their way to the wire but it was the former of the two who got the job done by a neck. Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile winner Greeley Went West finished third.

“Jose told me to ride him with a lot of confidence and I did,” Mena said. “We had a good trip and he was kind of green down the stretch but (Givemeaminit) came along the outside and was very game, too.”

Pound For Pound’s last start was just last Saturday, Dec. 23 where he defeated seven other Louisiana-breds in a 7½-furlong allowance event at his Delta Downs home base. In October, he broke his maiden first time out at 48-1 odds, which he followed with a third-place effort in the Louisiana Legacy Stakes behind Gladyousawme (seventh in the Louisiana Futurity), both of which were also at Delta Downs. He then shipped to the Fair Grounds for another crack at a state-bred stakes in the Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile, but could do no better than fifth behind Greeley Went West.

“The last couple of times he was kind of green but he’s getting better,” Grimaldo said. “I was happy with the way he ran and I think we have a future with this horse. I never expected this because these were such nice horses but I told the owner, ‘I think we have a chance to be in the money,’.”

Pound For Pound popped the cork on his backers’ New Year’s Eve rewarding them in payouts of $45.80, $10.60 and $6 while Givemeaminit returned $3 and $2.20. Greeley Went West returned $3.20 to show.

He earned a $60,798 share from his victory in the Louisiana Futurity which boosted his lifetime earnings to $123,798. He has won three of his five career starts.

Completing the field were Ready Prospector, Divine Bean, Da’ Big Newt, Gladyousawme, Vapor Viper and Monsieur Brown.