Category: Stakes

BELIEVE IN BERTIE VICTORIOUS IN RED CAMELIA

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Believe In Bertie with jockey Shaun Bridgmohan aboard wins the 41st running of the Red Camilia Stakes at Fair Grounds. Hodges Photographyy / Amanda Hodges Weir

RED CAMELIA
Fair Grounds, 3-11-17, abt. 8 furlongs (turf)
Four Year Old and Upwards, Purse $60,000
BELIEVE IN BERTIE
Langfuhr–Saint Bertie, by Street Cry (IRE)
Breeder: Richard Klein & Bertram Klein
Owner: Richard Klein & Bertram Klein
Trainer: Brad H. Cox
Jockey: Shaun Bridgmohan

2nd
Safari Calamari
Half Ours–Zaafira, by A.P. Indy
Breeder: Brittlyn Stables, Inc.
Owner: Brittlyn Stables, Inc.
Trainer: Ron Faucheux
Jockey: Marcelino Pedroza

3rd
Pacific Pink
Private Vow–Truly Romantic, by Robyn Dancer
Breeder: Brandon Adcock
Owner: Keith Plaisance
Trainer: Edward J. Johnston
Jockey: Jose Valdivia

Course: Firm, 1:38.53, Margins: 6 3/4, 2, head

Richard and Bertram Klein’s Brad Cox-trained Believe in Bertie ($2.20, $2.10 and $2.10) spread her gospel once again to the tune of an open-length, dominating performance on Saturday afternoon in the $60,000 Red Camelia Stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. The 4-year-old broke well from post two in the six-filly and mare field and relaxed before opening up a pair of lengths down the backside through fractions of 25.30 and 50.30. The field drew within a length as she turned for home after six furlongs in 1:15.60, but the speed machine left little doubt for her following, as she waltzed home a 6¾-length winner under Shaun Bridgmohan in a final time of 1:38.53 for the mile. Brittlyn Stable’s Ron Faucheux-trained Safari Calamari ($10.40 and $5.60) rallied for the place two lengths to the good of Keith Plaisance’s Eddie Johnston-trained Pacific Pink ($2.80). Believe in Bertie earned her sixth victory from 11 starts, her fourth stakes tally and used the $36,000 winner’s portion to increase her career bankroll $334,882. She will likely now be pointed to graded stakes company, according to her conditioner.

“Brad Cox has done a great job with her and she’s blossomed into a wonderful filly,” Bridgmohan said. “I was able to rate her and I just tapped her on the shoulder turning for home. She makes my job look easy.”

Discreetly Grand, Flowersforlady and Calamity Jane rounded out the field. Forest Lake, Gee Whiz Lil and Inveniam Viam scratched.

JEFF AND J’S DREAM RALLIES LATE FOR BIG UPSET IN OWNERS’ APPRECIATION DAY STAKES AT DELTA DOWNS ON CLOSING NIGHT

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JEFF AND J’S DREAM wins 2017 Owners’ Appreciation Day Stake at Delta Downs. Coady Photography

OWNERS’ APPRECIATION DAY S.
Delta Downs, 3-11-17, 8 furlongs
Four Year Old and Upwards, Purse $50,000
JEFF AND J’S DREAM
Marino Marini–Dream Day, by Thunder Gulch
Breeder: J.E. Nichols & Miller Thoroughbred Farm, Inc.
Owner: David C. Gomez
Trainer: David C. Gomez
Jockey: Juan A. Larrosa
Track: Fast, 1:39.23

VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs closed out its 2016-17 Thoroughbred season on Saturday night with a 10-race program that included the final pair stakes races for the meet. The $50,000 Owners’ Appreciation Day Stakes featured an upset as Jeff and J’s Dream rallied late to win under jockey Juan Larrosa while Vieja Luna scored big in the $50,000 Owners’ Appreciation Day Distaff Stakes with jockey Roberto Morales in the saddle.

 Jeff and J’s Dream used a strong late kick to get past millionaire and race favorite Rise Up in the final strides of the Owners’ Appreciation Day Stakes. The winning margin was one length as Great Minds finished third another half-length behind the runner-up. Jeff and J’s Dream covered the one-mile distance of the race in 1:39.23 over a fast track.

 Jeff and J’s Dream is owned and conditioned by David C. Gomez, who found the race especially pleasing as it was his first ever win as a trainer. The victory marked the second win of Jeff and J’s Dream’s career and the $30,000 first-place prize raised his overall bankroll to $67,630.

 Jeff and J’s Dream is a 4-year-old colt by Marino Marini, out of the Thunder Gulch mare Dream Day. He was bred in Louisiana by J. E. Nichols & Miller Thoroughbred Farm, Inc.

Sent to the gate at odds of 16-1 in a short field of just five runners, Jeff and J’s Dream paid $34.20 to win, $11 to place and $7.80 to show. Rise Up returned $3.20 to place and $2.40 to show. Great Minds was worth $2.10 to show.

Delta Downs will now prepare for its 2017 American Quarter Horse season which beings on April 21 and runs through July 8 with live racing each Wednesday through Saturday night at 6:15 pm CT.

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.

Let Us Be Glad All Smiles in Dixie Poker Ace

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Let Us Be Glad, with Gabrtiel Saez aboard wins the Dixie Poker Ace Stakes at the Fair Ground Race Course. Hodges Photography / Amanda Hodges Weir

Dixie Poker Ace S.

Fair Grounds, 3-4-17,  a8f (turf)
Four Year Olds and Upwards, Purse $60,000,

Let Us Be Glad
Eskendereya–Matchoftheday (IRE), by Hawk Wing
Breeder: Coteau Grove Farms
Owner: Chris Aulds
Trainer: Jose G. Castanon
Jockey: Gabriel Saez

2nd
Trust Factor
Paddy O’Prado–Mainsail, by Mizzen Mast
Breeder: J. Adcock & Hume Wornall
Owner: Scrivener Stables
Trainer: Michael J. Maker
Jockey: Colby J. Hernandez

 
3rd
Benwill
Leestown–Dynaspice, by Dynaformer
Breeder: E. O. Pickett
Owner: Royce G. Roberts,
Trainer:  Jose R. Mendez,
Jockey: Marcelino Pedroza

Course Firm,  1:37.42,  Margins: 2 1⁄2, 3⁄4, 1⁄2

 

Chris Auld’s Jose Castanon-trained Let Us Be Glad took advantage of a pace battle between favorites, pounced with aplomb under Gabriel Saez and ultimately proved victorious in the 37th running of the $60,000 Dixie Poker Ace Stakes.

Over one mile on the Stall-Wilson turf course, the Louisiana-bred event for older horses saw Valene Farm’s defending champion Hail to the Nile set off quickly for the front under Francisco Torres and was chased by Scrivener Stables’ Trust Factor, the 6-5 favorite, who pressed him from the spring of the latch. The two set solid fractions of 23.91 seconds for a quarter-mile and 47.80 for a half before being collared by a rallying Let Us Be Glad and passing the three-quarters in 1:12.71. The son of Eskendereya would power on to a 2½-length victory over Trust Factor at the wire, finishing up in 1:37.42. It was another three-quarters of a length back to Royce G. Roberts’multiple stakes winner Benwill in third.

“He settled, and then when he came around I asked him to really get close up,” Saez said. “We got the job done.”

A $40,000 claim last May, the 5-year-old won for the fifth time in 20 starts and improved his career bankroll to $167,060 with the first-place purse of $36,000.

Let Us Be Glad returned $15.80, $5 and $3.80. Trust Factor returned $3.20 and $2.40, while Benwill rallied well from last to return $3 to show.

Hopeful Notion and Hail to the Nilecompleted the running order. Grit, Grande Basin and Fort Pulaski were scratched.

EVANGELINE DOWNS RELEASES 2017 THOROUGHBRED STAKES SCHEDULE

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24 STAKES RACES WITH PURSES TOTALING $1,695,000 ON THE CALENDAR

 

OPELOUSAS, LA – Evangeline Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel will begin its 52nd season of Thoroughbred racing action on April 12 in Opelousas, Louisiana. The 84-day season will run through Saturday, September 2 with live racing each Wednesday through Saturday night. The 2017 season will feature a first post time each live racing night of 5:40 pm Central time.

There will be 24 stakes races held during the season and the total purses for those races will be $1,695,000. The two biggest racing nights of the season will take place on a pair of Saturdays.

The Saturday, June 3 program will feature three stakes races, including the $100,000 Evangeline Mile for 3-year-olds and up at one mile on the main track. That night will also include the $50,000 Need For Speed Stakes for 3-year-olds and up at five furlongs on the turf course and the $50,000 Lafayette Stakes for 3-year-old Louisiana-breds at seven furlongs on the main track.

Louisiana-breds will also be in the spotlight on Louisiana Legends Night, which will be on Saturday, July 8. There will be eight stakes races run on Legends Night with purses totaling $750,000. The feature event of the evening will be the $100,000 Classic for 3-year-olds and up at 1-1/16 miles on the main track. The $100,000 Distaff is at the same distance as the Classic for fillies and mares 3 year-olds and up. There are several other stakes races on Legends Night with $100,000 purses including: the Sprint at 5-1/2 furlongs on the main track for 3-year-olds and up, the Mademoiselle at 5-1/2 furlongs on the main track for fillies and mares 3-year-olds and up, the Cheval at one mile on the main track for the 3-year-olds, the Soiree at one mile on the main track for 3-year-old fillies. There are two turf races scheduled as a part of Legends night: the $100,000 Turf at 1-1/16 miles for 3-year-olds and up and the $50,000 Starter at 7-1/2 furlongs for 3-year-olds and up.

Kentucky Derby weekend at Evangeline Downs will not only include the simulcast of the Run For The Roses from Churchill Downs, but also the $60,000 Equine Sales Oaks on Friday, May 5 at 1-1/16 miles on the main track for 3-year-old fillies and the $60,000 Equine Sales Derby on Saturday, May 6at 1-1/16 miles on the main track for 3-year-old colts and geldings.

The final stage of the stakes schedule will be focused on 2-year-olds. On Saturday, July 29, two divisions of the D.S. “Shine” Young Futurity will be run. The $75,000 Filly Division is at 5-1/2 furlongs on the main track for Louisiana-bred fillies and the $75,000 Colts and Geldings Division is also at 5-1/2 furlongs on the main track for Louisiana-bred colts and geldings.

Closing night of the season, Saturday, September 2, will also showcase two stakes races for 2-year-olds. The $50,000 Evangeline Downs Princess will be at six furlongs on the main track for fillies and the $50,000 Evangeline Downs Prince is also at six furlongs on the main track for colts and geldings.

For more information on the American Quarter Horse 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.

 

Believe In Bertie Sets New Stakes Record in Daisy Devine Stakes

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Trainer Brad Cox scores his 600th career victory in style with Believe In Bertie capturing the 49th running of the Daisy Devine Stakes while setting a new track record of 1:40.31 for the about 1 1/16 miles over the Fair Grounds turf course. Hodges Photography / Amanda Hoddges Weir

Believe In Bertie
by Langfuhr – Saint Bertie by Street Cry (IRE)
Breeder: Richard Klein & Bertram Klein
Owner: Richard Klein & Bertram Klein
Trainer: Brad H. Cox
Jockey: S. Bridgmohan

Richard Klein and Bertram Klein’s Louisiana-bred Believe in Bertie set her second track record of the season in New Orleans when posting a half-length victory in the $75,000 Daisy Devine Stakes over 1 1/16 miles on the Stall-Wilson turf course.

The Brad Cox-trained 4-year-old daughter of Langfuhr broke her first track record of the season with an emphatic gate-to-wire victory in the Pago Hop Stakes in December, and she was quickly sent on her way in similar fashion by rider Shaun Bridgmohan in the Daisy Devine. Setting early splits of 23.56, 47.36 and 1:10.66, she completed the trip in 1:40.31 to lower the course record. Her nearest pursuer in the early stages, Winter Quarter Farm’s Tom Proctor-trained Cambodia, settled two lengths behind but was unable to keep pace under Florent Geroux and was ultimately outrun by a neck by Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey’s Mike Maker-trained Kitten’s Roar for second. Miguel Mena, who was aboard for Kitten’s Roar’s victory in last month’s Marie G. Krantz Memorial, had the return call Saturday.

She’s a fast filly and very talented. It’s great that a Louisiana-bred loves running at the Fair Grounds,” Cox said after earning his 600th lifetime win. “It’s a nice accomplishment [600 wins], especially in a stakes. Now we’ll focus on 700. I think she’s a graded stakes filly and I’ve said that in the past. I continue to believe in her. I am not sure she wants to go much farther than a mile. She has one speed and it’s ‘fast’. She takes that as far as she can. Shaun has figured her out and you just have to get along with her and be a good passenger.”

Believe in Bertie earned her fifth win in 10 lifetime starts, banked $45,000 to boost her career earnings to $298,882 and returned $3.20, $2.20 and $2.10. Kitten’s Roar paid $2.80 and $2.10, and Cambodia returned $2.10.

Louisiana Premier Night Results

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LOUISIANA BRED PREMIER NIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP

 

Delta Downs, 2-11-17, 1 11/16 Miles

Four Year Old and Upwards, Purse $150,000

MOBILE BAY

Lone Star Special – Tranquility Bay by Out of Place.

Breeder: Tigertail Ranch

Owner: Tigertail Ranch

Trainer: Victor Arceneaux

Jockey: Diego Saenz

2nd

The Pickett Factor

Gold Tribute-Dynaspice, by Dynaformer

Breeder: E. O. Pickett

Owner: Melissa Cantacuzene

Trainer: Ralph R. Irwin

Jockey: Luis Quinonez

3rd

Fort Pulaski

Any Given Satruday-Jazzwithcandy, by Jambalaya Jazz

Breeder: Tigertail Ranch

Owner: Tigertail Ranch

Trainer: Danny Pish

Jockey:Steven J. Bourque

Track: Fast, 1:44.81, Margins: 1, 4 1/2, 5

LOUISIANA BRED PREMIER NIGHT SPRINT

Delta Downs, 2-11-17, 5 furlongs

Four Year Old and Upwards, Purse $100,000

ICY GENTLEMAN

Yankee Gentleman – Icy Day by Five Star Day.

Breeder: Ironwater Farms Joint Venture

Owner: Ironwater Farms Joint Venture

Trainer: Henry B. Johnson, Jr.

Jockey: Jorge Guzman

2nd

C U Tiger

Indian Territory-Comehomewithasmile, by Came Home

Breeder: Bill Langford

Owner: Bill Langford and Roland Bruno

Trainer: Roland L. Bruno

Jockey: Alex Cortez

3rd

Greeley’s Wish

Greeley’s Galaxy-A Wish For Travis, by Moonlight Dancer

Breeder: Margie K. Averett

Owner: Brian Schweda

Trainer: Brian Schweda

Jockey: Timothy Thornton

Track: Fast, :58.46, Margins: 3, 3/4, 3

LOUISIANA BRED PREMIER NIGHT DISTAFF

Delta Downs, 2-11-17, 1 Mile

Four Year Old and Upwards, Fillies & Mares, Purse $100,000

BIG WORLD

Custom for Carlos – Tensas Wedding Joy by Broken Vow

Breeder: Curt Leake & Elm Tree Farm , LLC

Owner: Maggi Moss

Trainer: Thomas M. Amoss

Jockey: Gerard Melancon

2nd

Illussion Artist

Drosselmeyer-Art of Illusion, by Forest Wildcat

Breeder: 4 M Ranch

Owner: Steve Landers Racing LLC

Trainer: Brad H. Cox

Jockey: Colby Hernandez

3rd

Pacific Pink

Private Vow-Truly Romantic, by Robyn Dancer

Breeder: Brandon Adcock

Owner: Keith Plaisance

Trainer: Edward J. Johnston

Jockey: Miguel Mena

Track: Fast, 1:38.91, Margins: 4, 1, 2

LOUISIANA BRED PREMIER NIGHT MATRON

Delta Downs, 2-11-17, 5 furlongs

Four Year Old and Upwards, Fillies & Mares, Purse $100,000

SUNNY OAK

Giant Oak – Heckuva Time by Gilded Time

Breeder: Jeff Wahman & Darlene Wahman

Owner: Keith Plaisance

Trainer: Edward J. Johnston

Jockey: Miguel Mena

2nd

Sarge’s Daughter

Salute The Sarge-Mind Blowing, by Friends Lake

Breeder: Southern Equine Stables, LLC & DarrellC. Comeaux

Owner: Brian Freking and Anthony J. Wolfe

Trainer: William B. Sandmann III

Jockey: Eddie Martin, Jr.

3rd

Smittys Cougar

Half Ours-Smitty’s Sunshine, by Seeking A Home

Breeder: Elliott Necaise

Owner: Susan K. Love

Trainer: Ron Faucheux

Jockey: Gerard Melancon

Track: Fast, :58.30, Margins: 3 1/2, 1/2, hd

LOUISIANA BRED PREMIER NIGHT STARLET

Delta Downs, 2-11-17, 1 Mile

Three Year Old Fillies, Purse $100,000

MR. AL’S GAL

Salute the Sarge – Spanish Ice by Spanish Steps

Breeder: Roger Guy Smith

Owner: Roger G. Smith

Trainer: Justin Jeansonne

Jockey: Richard Eramia

2nd

Our Millie

Half Ours-Magic Maiden, by You and I

Breeder: Barbara V. Rowell

Owner: Marble Farms LLC

Trainer: Joseph M. Foster

Jockey: Alexander Castillo

3rd

My Gal Layla

My Pal Charlie-Bellebottom Blues, by Cure The Blues

Breeder: Elliott Necaise

Owner: Susan K. Love

Trainer: Eduardo Ramirez

Jockey: Roberto Morales

Track: Fast, 1:40.89, Margins: 4 3/4, 1/2, 3 1/4

LOUISIANA BRED PREMIER NIGHT PRINCE

Delta Downs, 2-11-17, 1 Mile

Three Year Olds, Purse $100,000

UNDER PRESSURE

Birdstone – Charming Colleen by Charismatic

Breeder: James McIngvale

Owner: Mallory Greiner

Trainer: Chris Richard

Jockey: Diego Saenz

2nd

Magic Vow

Private Vow-Whitewashed, by Broad Brush

Breeder: J. Adcock

Owner: Brittlyn Stable, Inc

Trainer: Allen Landry

Jockey: Kerwin D. Clark

3rd

Saints Fan

Tale of Ekati-Boy Crazy, by Sky Mesa

Breeder: Dallas Stewart

Owner: Dallas Stewart

Trainer: Dallas Stewart

Jockey: Colby Hernandez

Track: Fast, 1:40.47, Margins: 2, 1 1/2, 3/4

LOUISIANA BRED PREMIER NIGHT RAGIN CAJUN STARTER HANDICAP

Delta Downs, 2-11-17, 5 furlongs

Four Year Olds And Upward, Purse $50,000

HE’S ALL OURS

Half Ours-Bate’s Lady, by Lord Carson

Breeder: Jarvis Fortier & Doris Hebert

Owner: Dale White, Sr.

Trainer: Eduardo Ramirez

Jockey: Roberto Morales

2nd

Totally Ours

Half Ours-Swifty Victress, by Macho Uno

Breeder: Clear Creek Stud, LLC

Owner: Fleur De Lis Investments

Trainer: Corale A. Richards

Jockey: Colby J. Hernandez

3rd

Say Charlie

My Pal Charlie-Say Afleet, by Northern Afleet

Breeder: Stewart M. Madison & Channon Farm, LLC

Owner: David Fontenot Racing, LLC

Trainer: Shane Wilson

Jockey: Ashley Broussard

Track: Fast, :59.68, Margins: no, 1, 1

LOUISIANA BRED PREMIER NIGHT BON TEMPS STARTER HANDICAP

Delta Downs, 2-11-17, 5 furlongs

Four Year Olds And Upward, Fillies And Mares, Purse $50,000

LADY EMILY SAGE

Intimidator-Lady Fingers, by More Than Ready

Breeder: Steve Asmussen

Owner: Ricky Courville & David Roy

Trainer: Ricky Courville

Jockey: Colby Hernandez

2nd

Tunica Girl

Gold Tribute-Forge Ahead, by Sunny’s Halo

Breeder: Neal McFadden & Mary McFadden

Owner: Clyde Taylor

Trainer: Brent Delahoussaye

Jockey: Steve Bourque

3rd

Chaotic Kitty

Big Top Cat-Lemon Yellow, by Red Ransom

Breeder: Circle H Farms

Owner: End Zone Athletics, Inc.

Trainer: Karl Broberg

Jockey: Ashley Broussard

Track: Fast, :59.84, Margins: hd, nk, hd

LOUISIANA BRED PREMIER NIGHT GENTLEMEN STARTER HANDICAP

Delta Downs, 2-11-17, 1 1/16 Miles

Four Years Old And Upward, Purse $50,000

FLIT N TIME

Time Bandit-Miss Flit N Flot, by Leestown

Breeder: Margie K. Averett

Owner: Bonnie Wall

Trainer: Sam Breaux

Jockey: Diego Saenz

2nd

Rare

Fusaichi Pegasus-Xylophoone, by Dehere

Breeder: Curt Leake

Owner: Christopher E. Savage

Trainer: Sam Breaux

Jockey: Roberto Morales

3rd

Heavy On TheMister

Lion Tamer-Twinwinwin, by Twining

Breeder: T.J. Dickey & Rebecca Farm

Owner: Raymond Todd White and Randy J. Stone

Trainer: Karl Broberg

Jockey: Timothy Thornton

Track: Fast, 1:46.19, Margins: 7 1/4, 1 3/4, 1 1/2

LOUISIANA BRED PREMIER NIGHT LADIES STARTER HANDICAP

Delta Downs, 2-11-17, 1 Mile

Four Year Olds And Upward, Fillies And Mares, Purse $50,000

NIGHT PARADE

Parading-Huckie, by Fast Play

Breeder: Stacy Moak

Owner: Rhonda Snodderly

Trainer: Alex De Beauville

Jockey: Larry Taylor

2nd

Coast Of La

Costa Rising-Kris’stalwart, by Stalwart

Breeder: Jarvis Fortier & Doris Hebert

Owner: Sandy Badeaux

Trainer: Eduardo Ramirez

Jockey: RDiego Saenz

3rd

Salty Martini

Quiet American-French Martini, by Salt Lake

Breeder: Becky Winemiller

Owner: Kimberly Blackmon

Trainer: Donald Watson, Jr

Jockey: Bethany Taylor

Track: Fast, 1:41.22, Margins: 3, 2, 4 1/2

Coady Photography Photos

MOBILE BAY BECOMES A MILLIONAIRE WITH IMPRESSIVE WIN IN THE $150,000 LOUISIANA PREMIER NIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP AT DELTA DOWNS

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–  LEADING JOCKEY DIEGO SAENZ GETS A RIDING TRIPLE ON RICH NIGHT OF RACING –

VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs hosted the 14th edition of Louisiana Premier Night on Saturday which included 10 stakes races and total purse money of more than $850,000 offered. The featured event on the card was the $150,000 Louisiana Premier Night Championship, which was won by Tigertail Ranch’s Mobile Bay, who went over the $1 million mark in career earnings with the victory. Mobile Bay is trained by Victor Arceneaux and was ridden by Diego Saenz, who had a riding triple on the night.

Mobile Bay broke sharply in the 1-1/16 mile Championship and took the lead after Grande Basin set the initial pace and went the opening quarter mile in 24.31 seconds. The eventual winner led the field of 10 onto the backstretch while going the half mile in 48.00 and three quarters in 1:12.49. When Mobile Bay reached the homestretch he was confronted by The Pickett Factor, who moved alongside the leader but could not get past and would up beaten by one length on the finish line. Fort Pulaski finished another 4-1/2 lengths behind the top pair in third.

Mobile Bay covered the distance over a fast track in 1:44.81.

The win by Mobile Bay marked the 10th triumph of his 25-race career and the $90,000 first-place prize put his career bankroll over the seven digit mark at $1,006,440.

Bred in Louisiana by his owner, Mobile Bay is a 5-year-old dark bay or brown horse by Lone Star Special out of the Out of Place mare Tranquility Bay.

Sent to the gate as the heavy favorite at odds of 4-5 on the tote board, Mobile Bay returned $3.60 to win, $2.80 to place and $2.20 to show. The Pickett Factor paid $5.20 to place and $3.40 to show. Fort Pulaski was worth $12.60 to show.

In other action on Louisiana Premier Night it was Underpressure winning the $100,000 LAPN Prince with jockey Diego Saenz in the saddle for trainer Chris Richard. The winner is owned by Mallory Greiner.

The $100,000 LAPN Starlet was annexed by Mr. Al’s Gal, who reported home in front with jockey Richard Eramia at the controls. Mr. Al’s Gal is owned by Brittlyn Stable, Inc. and is conditioned by Justin Jeansonne.

The $100,000 LAPN Matron was the scene of Sunny Oak’s latest score as she won easily with jockey Miguel Mena riding for trainer Edward Johnston. Sunny Oak is owned by Keith Plaisance.

This year’s $100,000 LAPN Distaff was taken by Maggi Moss’s Big World, who was ridden to victory by jockey Gerard Melancon. Big World is conditioned by Tom Amoss.

Icy Gentleman pulled an upset in the $100,000 LAPN sprint with jockey Jorge Guzman aboard for trainer Henry B. Johnson, Jr. The winner is owned by Ironwater Farms Joint Venture.

Night Parade was successful in this year’s $50,000 LAPN Ladies Starter with jockey Larry Taylor. Night Parade is owned by Rhonda Snodderly and is trained by Alex De Beauville.

The $50,000 LAPN Gentlemen Starter was won by Flit N Time, who was also ridden by Diego Saenz. The winner is trained by Sam Breaux and is owned by Bonnie Wall.

The $50,000 Bon Temps Starter saw upsetter Lady Emily Sage make it to the wire in front. Colby Hernandez rode the winner for trainer Rickey Courville and owners David Roy and Ricky Courville.

And finally the night was capped off with a win by Totally Ours, who just held on for victory in the LAPN Ragin Cajun Starter with jockey Roberto Morales in the saddle. Totally Ours is owned by Dale White, Sr. and is trained by Eduardo Ramirez.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DELTA DOWNS PREPARING FOR LOUISIANA PREMIER NIGHT ON SATURDAY

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–  $150,000 LAPN CHAMPIONSHIP HIGHLIGHTS RICH CARD FOR LOUISIANA-BREDS –

 

VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs is gearing up for another rich race program on Saturday as the track hosts the 14th edition of Louisiana Premier Night. The 11-race program will feature 10 stakes races for Louisiana-bred horses worth $850,000 in total purse money. First post time for the lucrative program is set for 5:40 pm Central Time.

Saturday’s featured race will be the $150,000 Louisiana Premier Night Championship for older horses competing at 1-1/16 miles, which will be the 10th race on the program. This year’s Championship has attracted a full field of 10 including 2015 winner The Pickett Factor as well as Mageez, who took the B-Connected Stakes at Delta Downs on December 31. Graded stakes winner Mobile Bay is also part of the Championship field and a win would put him over the $1 million mark in career earnings.

The $100,000 Louisiana Premier Night Distaff field will include last year’s winner Forest Lake. The Jerry Delhomme trainee most recently finished a close second to Big World in the Louisiana Champions Day Ladies Stakes at Fair Grounds. Big World, a Tom Amoss trainee, will also try the Distaff after winning the Magnolia Stakes at Delta Downs last October.

This year’s $100,000 Louisiana Premier Night Prince has attracted two horses that have already won stakes races this season. Magic Vow was victorious in the $150,000 Louisiana Legacy on Jackpot Day, November 19, and Freakonthelead pulled a 70-1 upset in the Pelican Stakes on January 21.

Listed below are all 10 Louisiana Premier Night stakes races for 2017 in program order.

Race #             Purse              Stakes Race                                             Distance                      Age

2                      $50,000           LAPN Bon Temps Starter                   5 furlongs               4yo &up FM

3                      $50,000           LAPN Gentlemen Starter                    1-1/16 miles          4yo & up

4                      $50,000           LAPN Ladies Starter                             1 mile                      4yo & up FM

5                      $100,000         LAPN Prince                                             1 mile                     3yo

6                      $100,000         LAPN Starlet                                            1 mile                     3yo Fillies

7                      $100,000         LAPN Matron                                          5 furlongs              4yo & up FM

8                      $100,000         LAPN Distaff                                            1 miles                  4yo & up FM

9                      $100,000         LAPN Sprint                                            5 furlongs                    4yo & up

10                    $150,000         LAPN Championship                            1-1/16 miles                 4yo & up

11                    $50,000           LAPN Ragin Cajun Starter                    5 furlongs                    4yo & up

 

 

In other activities on Louisiana Premier Night the track will give away 250 free t-shirts to commemorate the event. In order to receive the shirt fans just need to purchase a live racing program at the program stand in the OTB while supplies last.

There will also be a free handicapping contest offered with a first place prize of $750. Patrons who wish to participate will need to have a Prime Rewards card and be at least 21 years of age. The contest will take place in the OTB and the deadline to enter is post time for race 5, at approximately 7:30 pm.

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.

 

 

 

Two Scholarships to be Awarded at Louisiana Premier Night

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VINTON, La. – Louisiana Premier Night will take place on Saturday, February 11, at Delta Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotelin Vinton, La. The Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association will award a total of two scholarships, each valued at $1,000, during the event. The races begin at 5:40 p.m. Students must sign up between 4:40 p.m. and 5:40 p.m. at the designated registration booth to be entered into the drawings.
The drawings will take place after the fifth race, and the student must be present to win. To qualify for the drawing, the student must be enrolled full-time in the Spring 2017 semester and must be in good standing with the college or university. The student is asked to know the address and name of the college they are attending so the scholarship can be directly deposited into their account.
            Delta Downs has hosted this event for the past six years. This year there is $850,000 dollars in total purse money. The featured championship race has a $150,000 guaranteed purse, with Fruition Racing LLC’s Stormdriver winning last year’s race. This annual event features ten races with the first race starting at 5:40 p.m.
“The Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association continues to make an investment in the future of our state by investing in our students and the education process,” said Roger Heitzmann, secretary/treasurer for the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association. “This type of investment is for our future, the state, as well as the organization. Our hope is that these scholarships get the younger generations invested in LTBA so that our organization stays the top breeding incentive program in the United States.”
Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association manages the best incentive program for breeding thoroughbreds in the United States. Since the organization formed, this has led to increased purses, better quality horses, and increased interest in racing and breeding horses. The thoroughbred racing and breeding industry generates over $1 billion and employs over 60,000 people in the state of Louisiana.
For more information about Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association visit louisianabred.com or call 1-800-772-1195.
 2017 LOUISIANA PREMIER NIGHT STAKES RACES
LA. BRED PREMIER NIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Purse $150,000 Guaranteed
Four Year Olds and Upward
One Mile and One Sixteenth

LA. BRED PREMIER NIGHT BON TEMPS STARTER HANDICAP

Purse $50,000 Guaranteed
Fillies and Mares
Four Year Olds and Upward
Five Furlongs

LA. BRED PREMIER NIGHT RAGIN CAJUN STARTER HANDICAP

Purse $50,000 Guaranteed
Four Year Olds and Upward
Five Furlongs

LA. BRED PREMIER NIGHT LADIES STARTER HANDICAP

Purse $50,000 Guaranteed
Fillies and Mares
Four Year Olds and Upward
One Mile

LA. BRED PREMIER NIGHT GENTLEMEN STARTER HANDICAP

Purse $50,000 Guaranteed
Four Year Olds and Upward
One Mile and One Sixteenth

LA. BRED PREMIER NIGHT STARLET
Purse $100,000 Guaranteed
Fillies Three Year Olds
One Mile

LA. BRED PREMIER NIGHT PRINCE
Purse $100,000 Guaranteed
Three Year Olds
One Mile

LA. BRED PREMIER NIGHT MATRON
Purse $100,000 Guaranteed
Fillies and Mares

Four Year Olds and Upward
Five Furlongs

LA. BRED PREMIER NIGHT SPRINT
Purse $100,000 Guaranteed
Four Year Olds and Upward
Five Furlongs

LA. BRED PREMIER NIGHT DISTAFF
Purse $100,000 Guaranteed
Fillies and Mares

Four Year Olds and Upward
One Mile

FREAKONTHELEAD PULLS MASSIVE UPSET IN THE $100,000 PELICAN STAKES AT DELTA DOWNS

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–  WILDCAST WISH PROVES MUCH THE BEST IN THE FREMONT STAKES –

 

VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs hosted a pair of stakes races on Saturday night and the results were vastly different in each event. The result of the $100,000 Pelican Stakes was a shocker as 70-1 longshot Freakonthelead pulled a jaw-dropping upset before Wildcat Wish scored a much more formful victory in the $70,000 Fremont Stakes at odds of 5-2.

Freakonthelead was sent off as the longest shot on the tote board in the Pelican under jockey Timothy Thornton, who kept his mount close to the lead in the seven-furlong affair. The early pace was set by Bending Saint, who covered the opening quarter-mile in 24.42 seconds, the half in 49.70, and three-quarters in 1:14.41. As the field of nine reached the upper-stretch, Freakonthelead took the lead but was under pressure all the way to the finish line where he was a half-length to the good of both Underpressure and Magic Vow, who would up in a dead heat for the place position.

Freakonthelead covered the distance in the 3-year-old race for Louisiana-breds in a time of 1:27.46. The race was contested over a fast track.

The win by Freakonthelead, who is owned by Whispering Oaks Farm, LLC (Carrol Castille) and trained by Steven Flint, was the second of his career. He had just broken his maiden in his most recent start which came on December 7. The winner’s paycheck of $60,000 raised his bankroll to $103,320.

Freakonthelead is a 3-year-old chestnut runner by Run Production, out of the Always a Classic mare Always on Top. He was bred in the Bayou State by Carrol J. Castille.

Fans who took a flyer on Freakonthelead were rewarded with massive payoffs of $143 to win, $21.60 to place and $10 to show. Underpressure, the 6-5 favorite, paid $2.20 to place and $2.40 to show. Magic Vow was worth $2.60 to place and $3 to show.

The Fremont Stakes win by Wildcat Wish came with a similar trip to Freakonthelead as he pressed the early pace before taking a big lead in the stretch and reporting home with a six-length victory over race favorite Louisiana-bred, Mageez. It was Wildcat Wish’s second stakes score of the meet as he also won the Sam’s Town Stakes on Jackpot Day, November 19.

Wildcat Wish was ridden to victory by Luis Negron, who accepted the mount from trainer Efron Loza, Jr. The Florida-bred son of Wildcat Heir is owned by St. George Stable, LLC (German Larrea). Wildcat Wish has now won five of 18 lifetime starts and earned a total of $232,455.