Category: Stakes

EARLY INTEREST IS HIGH FOR ​THE LOUISIANA CUP AT HARRAH’S LOUISIANA DOWNS​ ​ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 5

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Bossier City, LA – Live Thoroughbred racing at Harrah’s Louisiana Downs began on May 6 and the first major stakes program, Louisiana Cup Day, is set for Saturday, August 5.

While nominations for the annual Louisiana Cup do not close until July 22, interest is high for the seven divisional stakes for horses bred in Louisiana.  Purses totally $360,000 will be divided among the features which include four six-furlong main track stakes as well as the $50,000 Louisiana Cup Turf Classic and the $50,000 Louisiana Cup Distaff to be contested at a mile and one-sixteenth on the turf. The program also includes the $60,000 Prelude, a 1 1/16-mile race on the turf for 3-year-olds that serves as the local prep race for the Super Derby.

Trainer Efren Loza, Jr. has several horses pointed to Louisiana Cup Day. As previously reported by Mary Rampellini of the Daily Racing Form, Loza intends to run Taco in the $60,000 Prelude, with the intention of returning for the $200,000 Super Derby on September 9. The Kentucky-bred son of Gio Ponti won his first four starts, including the $50,000 Texas Heritage Stakes for 3-year-olds on February 25 at Sam Houston Race Park. He has not raced since finishing second in the $103,380 Pasadena Stakes on March 19 at Santa Anita. S

“He got a small cut on one of his legs so we had to give him some time off,” said Loza.  “He has resumed training and should be ready for the Louisiana Downs stakes.”

One other horse he has under consideration for the Prelude is St George Stables LLC’s Jilotepec, a lightly raced colt by Into Mischief, who has won two of his three career efforts.

“He has never run on the grass, but we think he would be good,” he added.

Loza will run Look Into My Eyes this Saturday in the $100,000 Louisiana Legends Mademoiselle Stakes and then back to Louisiana Downs on Louisiana Cup Day.  This will be the first start of the year for the 5-year-old daughter of City Zip who is owned by Kathleen Amaya and Raffaele Centofanti.  She has won seven of her 14 career starts, including the $50,000 Louisiana Cup Filly and Mare Sprint here last August.

Loza is based in south Florida, but has shipped several stakes runners to Texas and Louisiana in the past three years.  He is looking forward to returning to Louisiana Downs on August 5.

“Louisiana Downs has a nice turf course and we had success there last summer,” said Loza.

Post Times and Stakes Schedule

Live racing will be conducted Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and Saturday with a 3:15 p.m. (Central) post time through September 27. The 84-day meet will include 14 stakes highlighted by two major events, Louisiana Cup Day on Saturday, August 5 and Super Derby Day on Saturday, September 9.  To see a complete list of the 2017 Thoroughbred stakes schedule, click here. 

Louisiana Downs Trainer and Jockey Standings

Through July 4, last year’s leading trainer Joey Foster continues to hold a commanding lead over his fellow conditioners with 29 wins.H. B. Johnson is second with 10 wins to date and Donald Melancon and Ronnie Ward have both saddled eight winners.

 

Richard Eramia continues to lead his fellow riders with 37 wins, and has been in the national spotlight with his solid form and wins as he divides his time between Louisiana Downs and Lone Star Park. Alexander Castillo has moved into second with 26 victories and Gerardo Mora follows closely with 25 wins.

Red Rose Racing tops the leaderboard in the owner standings with six wins.  Jorge Gomez and Patti Turner are tied for second place with five wins and eight owners follow closely with four victories.     

About Harrah’s Louisiana Downs

Located near Shreveport in Bossier City, Louisiana, Louisiana Downs opened in 1974 and was purchased by Caesars Entertainment in December, 2002. With annual Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing seasons, the track is committed to presenting the highest quality racing programs paired with its 150,000 square foot entertainment complex offering casino gambling, dining and plasma screen televisions for sports and simulcast racing.

For further information, please contact:

Trent McIntosh  |  Assistant General Manager
O 318-752-6980
8000 East Texas Street | Bossier City, LA 71111
www.caesars.com

Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association Will Award Scholarships at Louisiana Legends Night at Evangeline Downs

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(New Orleans, La.) – Louisiana Legends Night will take place Saturday, July 8, at Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino in Opelousas, La. The Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association will award two (2) scholarships, each valued at $1,000, during the event.

The drawings will be between the fifth and sixth races in the winners circle. The races begin at 5:50 p.m. and the student must be there to register between 4:50 p.m. and 5:50 p.m. at the designated registration booth.

The requirements for the scholarship are as follows:

  • Must be a college student enrolled full-time for Fall 2017.
  • Must be in good standing with the college or university.
  • Must be present at the drawing location to win.
  • Must have university ID number or Social Security number.

 

The scholarship will be deposited directly into the student’s account at the college or university. The student is asked to know the name and address of the college that they are attending.

“The Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association is pleased to continue making an investment in the future of our state by investing in the education process,” said Roger Heitzmann, secretary/treasurer for the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association.

The Louisiana Legends Night annual event features six stakes races for Louisiana-bred horses and total purse money of $600,000. The highlight of the evening will be the $100,000 Louisiana Legends Classic for 3-year-olds and up competing at 1-1/16 miles.

 

Legends Night 7/8/2017      
Louisiana Legends Classic 3+ La bred 1m 1/16 $100,000 G
Louisiana Legends Distaff FM3+ La bred 1m 1/16 $100,000 G
Louisiana Legends Sprint 3+ La bred 5 1/2f $100,000 G
Louisiana Legends Mademoiselle FM3+ La bred 5 1/2f $100,000 G
Louisiana Legends Cheval 3 YR La bred 1m $100,000 G
Louisiana Legends Soiree F 3YR La bred 1m $100,000 G

 

 

For more information please call 1-800-772-1195 or visit louisianabred.com.

Louisiana Bred Believe in Bertie Looks to Rebound in Mint Julep

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Believe in Bertie Looks to Rebound in Mint Julep
Photo: Hodges Photographyy / Amanda Hodges Weir

Believe in Bertie won the Red Camelia Stakes in March

Klein Racing’s homebred Believe in Bertie, first or second in 10 of 12 starts, tops the field of seven fillies and mares entered in the $100,000 Old Forester Mint Julep Handicap (G3T) June 10 at Churchill Downs.

The Mint Julep Handicap, a 1 1/16-mile test over the Matt Winn Turf Course, is carded as race 10 on an 11-race program with an approximate post time of 5:21 p.m. EDT.

A Louisiana-bred daughter of Langfuhr   trained by Brad Cox, the 4-year-old Believe in Bertie is coming off a game head runner-up effort to favored Roca Rojo in the Churchill Distaff Turf Mile Presented by Longines (G2T) on the  Derby Day undercard. Trained by Chad Brown, Roca Rojo is among the top contenders for the grade 1 Just a Game Stakes at Belmont Park Saturday.

The Distaff Turf effort ended a four-race win streak for Believe in Bertie, who won a trio of stakes wins this winter at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots led by a 7 3/4-length romp in the Pago Hop Stakes at one mile on turf and a half-length triumph in the Daisy Devine Stakes at 1 1/16 miles on grass. Topweighted at 122 pounds, $393,682-earner Believe in Bertie will be ridden by Shaun Bridgmohan, who won last year’s Mint Julep with Cash Control for Richard Klein’s Klein Racing and Cox. The Klein family also took the 2013 edition of the race with Miz Ida.

Expected to give the front-running Believe in Bertie a stiff challenge is Janis R. Whitham’s Whitham Thoroughbreds’ 4-year-old homebred Linda, third in the Churchill Distaff Turf Mile for trainer Ian Wilkes. Unplaced in only one of 10 starts and with earnings of $336,110, the 4-year-old Scat Daddy filly typically settles off the early pace before making a late run.

Over the Churchill turf course and at the same distance as the Mint Julep, Linda last year won the grade 2 Mrs. Revere Stakes to complete her sophomore season. The filly began her 2017 campaign with a third in the Honey Fox Stakes (G2T) won by Celestine at Gulfstream Park.

Dona Bruja, a homebred for Ivan Gasparotto’s Dom Felipe stable, will be making her U.S. debut in the Mint Julep after beginning her career in Argentina. Trained by Ignacios Correas, the 5-year-old mare has won eight of 10 starts, with two seconds, including the group 1 Copa de Plata Roberto Vasquez Mansilla Internacional over 1 1/4 miles on turf at San Isidro in her most recent start last December and was named champion older female. She has been with Correas at Keeneland this spring.

Old Forester Mint Julep H. (G3T)

Churchill Downs, Saturday, June 10, 2017, Race 10
  • 1 1/16m
  • Turf
  • $100,000
  • 3 yo’s & up Fillies and Mares
  • 5:21 PM (local)
PP Horse Jockey Wgt Trainer M/L
1 1Believe in Bertie (LA) Shaun Bridgmohan 122 Brad H. Cox 7/5
2 2Majestic Angel (KY)Keeneland Sales Graduate Joseph Rocco, Jr. 113 Eric R. Reed 30/1
3 3Sky My Sky (KY)Keeneland Sales Graduate Sophie Doyle 116 Mark E. Casse 9/2
4 4Dona Bruja (ARG) Declan Cannon 119 Ignacio Correas, IV 3/1
5 5Lots o’ Lex (KY) Calvin H. Borel 114 Gerald Russel Aschinger 15/1
6 6Dynazar (KY) Gabriel Saez 115 Dallas Stewart 15/1
7 7Linda (KY) Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr. 121 Ian R. Wilkes 5/2

Efforting Wins Acadiana Stakes

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EFFORTING

Acadiana Stakes
Evangeline Downs, 6-2-17, 7f
Three-Year-Old Fillies, Purse: $50,000

EFFORTING
Into Mischief-Get Going Bertie, by Carson City
Owner: Fair Grounds Racing Club, Inc.
Breeder: Orange Grove Thoroughbreds, Inc.
Trainer: Allbert M. Stall, Jr.
Jockey: C.J Hernandez

2nd
Rose Guitar
Star Guitar-Rose Hunter, by Jade Hunter
Owner: Oak Leaf T.C. LP
Breeder: Oak Leaf Farm TCLP
Trainer: Jose R. Mendez
Jockey: Diego Saenz

3rd
Red La Rosa
Harborage-Ziarita, by Maria’s Mon
Owner: Sandra Domiano
Breeder: Royal B. Kraft Sr.
Trainer: Corale A. Richards
Jockey: E Nieves

 

The $50,000 Acadiana Stakes for Louisiana-bred 3-year-old fillies at seven furlongs was run Friday.June 2 at Evangeline Downs. Efforting was sent off as the 7-5 betting favorite and lived up to that support by drawing off to a 3-1/2 length victory in a final time of 1:24.81. She settled nicely in behind the pacesetting Molly Rules at the outset. Molly Rules set a decent pace of 23.27 seconds for the quarter and 46.76 for the half, but once the field made the stretch, jockey Colby Hernandez moved Efforting to the front and she never looked back.

Efforting is a 3-year-old filly bred in Louisiana by Orange Grove Thoroughbreds, Inc. She is owned by Fair Grounds Racing Club, Inc. She is by Into Mischief and out of the Carson City mare, Get Going Bertie.

 

 

PACIFIC PINK WEARS DOWN COMPETITION IN SPOTTED HORSE STAKES

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PACIFIC PINK

Spotted Horse Stakes
Evangeline Downs, 6-2-17, 1 Mile
Three-Year-Old & Upwards Fillies and Mares, Purse: $75,000

PACIFIC PINK
Private Vow-Truly Romantic, by Robyn Dancer
Owner: Keith Plaisance
Breeder: Brandon Adcock
Trainer: Edward J. Johnston
Jockey: C.J Hernandez

2nd
Sunny Oak
Giant Oak-Heckuva Time, by Gilded Time
Owner: Keith Plaisance
Breeder: Jeff Wahman & Darlene Wahman
Trainer: Edward J. Johnston
Jockey: E. Nieves

3rd
Vieja Luna
Street Hero-Amaday, by Dayjur
Owner: Juan Francisco Landaeta
Breeder: Fernandez-Robles Family Trust & Flying HStables
Trainer: Jose M. Camejo
Jockey: R. Morales

Pacific Pink led a one-two charge for owner Keith Plaisance and trainer Edward Johnston in the $75,000 Spotted Horse Stakes at Evangeline Downs on Friday night, June 2nd. Plaisance also owns and Johnston also trains the runner-up in the race, Sunny Oak. Pacific Pink was ridden to victory by Colby Hernandez, who also captured the $50,000 Acadiana Stakes on Friday with Efforting for trainer Al Stall, Jr.

The character of the Spotted Horse Stakes changed significantly right at the start when the Steve Asmussen trainee, Danzatrice, unseated rider Gerard Melancon, who was able to walk away from the incident under his own power. Vieja Luna set a solid pace through early fractions of 23.46 seconds for the quarter and 47.10 for the half, while tracked by Sunny Oak and Steel Cut. As the field entered the stretch, Sunny Oak assumed the lead under Emanuel Nieves, but Pacific Pink was moved into the clear on the outside by Colby Hernandez and she charged to a convincing victory by 2-3/4 lengths. Sunny Oak out-finished Vieja Luna for second. The final time for the one mile over the fast track was 1:38.08.

Pacific Pink is a 5-year-old mare by Private Vow and is out of the Robyn Dancer mare, Truly Romantic. She was bred in Louisiana by Brandon Adcock.

 

THE $1,000,000 DELTA DOWNS JACKPOT TO TAKE PLACE ON SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 18

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IMPORTANT KENTUCKY DERBY POINTS UP FOR GRABS IN THE GRADE III EVENT FOR 2-YEAR-OLDS

 

VINTON, LA. – Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE: BYD) today announced that this year’s $1,000,000 Delta Downs Jackpot (Gr. III) for 2-year-olds will be held at its Delta Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel on Saturdayafternoon, November 18.

 This year will mark the 15th anniversary of the $1,000,000 Delta Downs Jackpot, which is contested at 1-1/16 miles on a dirt surface. The race is the second richest in the country for 2-year-olds and has become a springboard to the Kentucky Derby. Since its inception the race has produced a total of 16 starters, including 10 over the last five years, for America’s most historic race at Churchill Downs.

Last year’s $1,000,000 Delta Downs Jackpot, won by multiple graded stakes winner Gunnevera, was part of a 35-race series that made up the fifth edition of the ‘Road to the Kentucky Derby’ point system. Following his victory at Delta Downs, Gunnevera gained additional qualifying points toward this year’s Kentucky Derby with top three finishes in the Holy Bull Stakes (Gr. II) and Florida Derby (Gr. II) as well as a rousing win in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (Gr. II), each contested at Gulfstream Park.

The 2016 Delta Downs Jackpot Day program featured eight stakes races and over $2.2 million in total purse money. The undercard was highlighted by the $400,000 Delta Downs Princess (Gr. III) for 2-year-old fillies, which produces qualifying points to horses on their way to the Kentucky Oaks (Gr. I). In 2014, Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas won the Princess with eventual Eclipse Award winning filly Take Charge Brandi after Tepin won the race in 2013. Tepin would eventually amass over $4.4 million career earnings before being retired just a few weeks ago.

“The Jackpot Day program continues its rich tradition of attracting top quality race horses each year,” said Steve Kuypers, Vice President and General Manager of Delta Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel. “Not only do the best horses come to Vinton for the event, but many of racing’s top jockeys, trainers and owners take part in a program as well. Our team will be ready to put on another spectacular show on November 18.”

For the fifth consecutive year, Delta Downs will offer a guaranteed $200,000 Jackpot Day Pick 4 during its biggest day of racing. The wager will include four stakes races anchored by the $1,000,000 Delta Downs Jackpot and the $400,000 Delta Downs Princess. Overall there will be eight stakes races during the special 11-race afternoon program.

Horsemen, fans and media can follow developments for this year’s $1,000,000 Delta Downs Jackpot on the website www.deltadownsjackpot.com. Information about Delta Downs’ 2017-18 Thoroughbred season can be found at the track’s website www.deltadownsracing.com.

 

Delta Downs Racetrack Casino and Hotel, a property of Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE:BYD), features exciting fun, casino action, live horse racing and great 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.

 

MAGIC VOW DAZZLES IN THE EQUINE SALES DERBY

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MAGIC VOW
Magic Vow wins the Equine Sales Derby. Coady Photography

Equine Sales Derby
Evangeline Downs, 5-6-16, 8.5f (dirt)
Three-Year-Olds, Purse: $60,000

MAGIC VOW
Private Vow–Whitewashed, by Broad Brush
Owner: Brittlyn Stable, Inc.
Breeder: J. Adcock
Trainer: Allen Landry
Jockey: Kerwin D. Clark

2nd
Paddy O’Lionel
Paddy O’Prado–Dana’s Lucky Lady, by Lucky Lionel
Owner: Phyllis J. Hodges
Breeder: Sugarland Thoroughbreds, LLC
Trainer: James E. Hodges
Jockey: Diego Saenz

3rd
Cash First
Quality Road–Financingavailable, by Kiridashi
Owner: LA Bred Equine Enterprises, LLC
Breeder: LA Bred Equine Enterprises, LLC
Trainer: Ray Sibille
Jockey: Gerard Melancon

 

OWNER BRITTLYN STABLE INC. SWEEPS THE TWO WEEKEND STAKES

 

OPELOUSAS, LA – It was quite a first weekend in May for the Brittlyn Stable, Inc. ownership of Evelyn Benoit. They first won the $60,000 Equine Sales Oaks on Friday with Bermuda Star and they doubled down on that by winning the $60,000 Equine Sales Derby with Magic Vow on Saturday night. Magic Vow earned a convincing 4-3/4 length victory in a final time of 1:46.04 for the 1 1/16 miles over a fast track.

Magic Vow settled in at the rail in the early stages as a 45-1 longshot, They Call Me Seb and the 3-5 favorite, Sheer Mayhem dueled through early fractions of 24.19 seconds for the quarter-mile and 48.97 for the half-mile. Magic Vow continued to make steady progress on the rail and overtook Sheer Mayhem at the top of the stretch and drew away to win easily. Paddy O’Lionel also rallied up the inside to take second and Cash First rallied from last early on to finish third.

Magic Vow returned $7.60 to win, $3.80 to place and $3.20 to show. Paddy O’Lionel paid $4.80 to place and $4.00 to show, while Cash First paid $7.20 to show.

Magic Vow was bred in Louisiana by J. Adcock, Allen Landry is the trainer and Kerwin Clark was the winning rider on Saturday night. The 3-year-old gelding is by Private Vow and out of the Broad Brush mare, Whitewashed.

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.

 

BERMUDA STAR SPARKLES IN THE EQUINE SALES OAKS

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BERMUDA STAR
Bermuda Star wins the Equine Sales Oaks. Coady Photography

 

Equine Sales Oaks
Evangeline Downs, 5-5-17, 8.5f (dirt)
Three-Year-Old Fillies, Purse $60,000

BERMUDA STAR
Star Guitar-Bermuda Bride, by Runaway Groom
Owner: Brittany Stable, Inc.
Breeder: Tom Curtis & Wayne Simpson
Trainer: Victor Arceneaux
Jockey: Diego Saenz

2nd
Madame Begue
Afleet Alex–More Angels, by Slew of Angels
Owner: Mintmere Thoroughbreds
Breeder: Summergrove Farm & Terry Gabriel
Trainer: Glenn Delahoussaye
Jockey: Timothy Thornton

3rd
Red La Rosa
Harborage–Ziarita, by Maria’s Mon
Owner: Sandra Domiano
Breeder: Royal B. Kraft Sr.
Trainer: Corale A. Richards
Jockey: Colby J. Hernandez

 

OPELOUSAS, LA – Bermuda Star has won twice in her brief career, one was a maiden-breaking score on the turf at Fair Grounds in February and the second came Friday night in the $60,000 Equine Sales Oaks at Evangeline Downs. On both occasions, Diego Saenz was in the saddle. The Oaks victory was just part of a stellar Friday for the jockey, who won a total of three races on the program.

Bermuda Star was able to relax off of a trio of pacesetters through easy early fractions of 24.26 for the quarter-mile and 48.78 for the half-mile. She advanced nicely on the far turn and was able to take the lead at the top of the stretch. Once Bermuda Star made the lead, she moved toward the rail and momentarily crossed paths with Madame Begue, who was one of the early leaders. Bermuda Star drew off to win by three lengths at the finish in a final time of 1:46.58 for the 1-1/16 miles over the fast track. She did have to survive a steward’s inquiry and rider’s claim of foul to preserve the victory.

Bermuda Star was bred in Louisiana by Tom Curtis and Wayne Simpson. She 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. Bermuda Star has two wins in six lifetime starts and the $36,000 first-place purse she earned on Friday night pushes her lifetime earnings to $74,530.

Bermuda Star was sent off as the 4-5 wagering favorite in the Equine Sales Oaks and she returned $3.60 to win, $3.00 to place and $2.10 to show. Madame Begue finished second and paid $5.60 to place and $3.40 to show. Red La Rosa was third and paid $2.40 to show.

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.

 

 

Louisiana Bred, Louisiana Sired Big World Wins G1 La Troienne

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La Troienne02.5-5-17.Barbara Livingston
Louisiana bred, Big World (Custom For Carlos-Tensas Wedding Joy) wins the G1 La Troienne Stakes at Churchill Downs, May 5, 2017. Barbara Livingston photo.

Louisiana’s 2016 3YO Champion filly, Big World (Custom For Carlos-Tensas Wedding Joy), won the prestigious  $300,000  La Troienne Stakes Presented by Spirited Funds (G1) at Churchill Downs May 5.

The Tom Amoss-trained Big World showcased her improving ability and mettle. The Maggi Moss colorbearer carved out early fractions of :23.75 and :48.28 and kept on finding more, refusing to let Romantic Vision by in the stretch. She captured the 1 1/16-mile test by 1 1/4 lengths on the undercard of the Longines Kentucky Oaks (G1).

Amoss says of the win, “I classify Big World’s win in the G1 La Troienne as one of the biggest thrills of my training career and believe I can speak for Maggie [Moss] when I say it was one of her biggest thrills in racing.”

He goes onto say “I credit the Louisiana Bred racing program and how Big World was able to build confidence through the winter before having to face Grade 1 competition.”

Under her previous trainer, Tony Dutrow, Big World hinted at what she was capable of, most notably when she captured the 2015 edition of the Tempted Stakes (G3) in her fourth start. Since being transferred to Amoss by owner Maggie Moss last year, the solidly built filly quietly racked up three wins on the Louisiana circuit and headed into the La Troienne off a win in a 1 1/16 mile allowance race at Oaklawn Park March 30.

Bred in Louisiana by Curt Leake and Elm Tree Farm (Michelle and Jody Huckabay), Big World became the first grade 1 winner for her sire, who stands at Clear Creek Stud. She improved her record to seven wins from 11 starts with $608,820 in earnings.

Big World is the first Louisiana-bred G1 winner since Happy Ticket (Anet) won the 2005 G1 Ballerina Stakes.

Custom For Carlos is the first Louisiana stallion to sire a G1 winner in over 25 years. Free Spirit’s Joy (Joey Bob) won the 1991 Super Derby at Louisiana Downs, which at the time was a million dollar G1 Stakes.

To read more:

http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/221431/big-world-delivers-in-la-troienne

http://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/custom-for-carlos-filly-steals-la-troienne/#.WRCTmirBAUw.email

http://www.drf.com/news/big-world-goes-all-way-la-troienne

Final Jockey Assignments Confirmed In 2017 Run For The Roses: Includes Three Louisiana Natives

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by | 04.30.2017 | 3:05pm

Always Dreaming works under the Twin Spires with John Velazquez aboard.

The last of the Kentucky Derby riding assignments was confirmed on Sunday morning, and the current field of 20 is all booked up for Saturday’s Run for the Roses. The most recent addition is that of jockey Channing Hill aboard Fast and Accurate for trainer Mike Maker; Hill breezed the colt at Churchill Downs on Sunday morning, then announced the decision later in the morning on Twitter.

Tyler Gaffalione will be aboard the Todd Pletcher-trained Patch for Calumet Farm, it was also announced on Twitter Sunday morning. Pletcher’s other riders were announced over the past few weeks, with John Velazquez scheduled to team with Always Dreaming and Jose Ortiz to pilot Tapwrit.

Trainer Steve Asmussen confirmed his final Derby reinsmen on Saturday, naming Ricardo Santana to ride Untrapped and Corey Lanerie to ride Lookin at Lee. Florent Geroux had previously been named to ride Hence.

Late last week, trainer Dale Romans named Luis Saez as the replacement rider for the injured Robby Albarado aboard J Boys Echo.

 

Here is the full list of expected Kentucky Derby contenders and their riders, as of Sunday afternoon:

  • Always Dreaming (John Velazquez)
  • Battle of Midway (Flavien Prat)
  • Classic Empire (Julien Leparoux)
  • Fast and Accurate (Channing Hill)
  • Girvin (Mike Smith)
  • Gormley (Victor Espinoza)
  • Gunnevera (Javier Castellano)
  • Hence (Florent Geroux)
  • Irap (Mario Gutierrez)
  • Irish War Cry (Rajiv Maragh)
  • J Boys Echo (Luis Saez)
  • Lookin At Lee (Corey Lanerie)
  • McCraken (Brian Hernandez Jr.)
  • Patch (Tyler Gaffalione)
  • Practical Joke (Joel Rosario)
  • Sonneteer (Kent Desormeaux)
  • State of Honor (Jose Lezcano)
  • Tapwrit (Jose Ortiz)
  • Thunder Snow (Ire) (Christophe Soumillon)
  • Untrapped (Ricardo Santana Jr.).

Next up in order of preference: Royal Mo (Gary Stevens)