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Underpressure Improves To Dominate Lousiana Champions Day Classic

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Underprressure_12-8-2018-F
Underpressure with Corey Lanerie aboard wins the 28th running of the Louisiana Champions Day Classic at Fair Grounds. Hodges Photography / Lou Hodges, Jr.

 

In Saturday’s Louisiana Champions Day action at the Fair Grounds, Mallory Greiner’s Underpressure rated mid-pack early in the $150,000 Louisiana Champions Day Classic, took over off the final turn and held firm late.

“Obviously we wanted to be up a little closer and were hoping that he would break running,” said jockey Corey Lanerie. “He broke a little sluggish and I had to ride with the cards that I was dealt and let him run his own race early. At about the half-mile pole I engaged him and had a lot of horse. I was watching the horse in front of me I saw Colby on a lot of horse with (Autumn Warrior). I moved him (Underpressure) a touch early to get up to his outside and try to hold my ground and it worked out today. I thank Chris (Richard) for letting me ride him and getting him ready. My whole family is here today rooting us on and it’s great to have them here today.”

Third beaten only a length for trainer Chris Richard by local legend Mobile Bay in last year’s Classic, Underpressure ($6.60, $3.80 and $2.40), a 4-year-old son of Birdstone, got the jump on runner-up Grande Basin ($5.60 and $2.80) for Corey Lanerie before keeping that rival at bay late to score by 3 ½ lengths in final time of 1:52.82 for nine furlongs over a sloppy main track. It was five lengths further back to the 9-5 post time favorite Mageez in third ($2.40).

Underpressure (25-8-6-6) elevated his career earnings to $468,132.

“He’s just a model of consistency,” added Richard. “He gives you everything he’s got every single time. We ran against Mobile Bay a couple of times last year and came close to him. Obviously he’s probably one of the greatest Louisiana-breds ever, if not the greatest Louisiana-bred ever. For him to break through in this race on Champions Day, I’m just ecstatic for him. I felt pretty good about it. I just drew a line through his last race, a lot of things didn’t go his way last time. It’s just his ultra-consistency. He tries so hard and I felt really good that we had a really legit shot today to get it done.”

Wide-Open Classic Headlines Louisiana Champions Card

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Seven Thoroughbred stakes are part of 13-race lineup.

A wide-open field of seven, including stakes winners Underpressure, Grande Basin, and Mageez, is set for the $150,000 Louisiana Champions Day Classic Stakes—the featured race on the Dec. 8 Louisiana Champions Day program at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.

The 13-race Champions Day card (beginning with three Quarter Horse races) features seven stakes for Thoroughbreds, highlighted by the 1 1/8-mile Classic. With two-time defending race winner Mobile Bay retired, the path is clear for another state-bred to add more black type to his résumé.

Grande Basin and Underpressure were second and third, respectively, behind Mobile Bay in the 2017 edition of the race. That runner-up effort is a part of a 15-race losing skid William Deckwa Jr. and John Carbo’s Grande Basin is attempting to snap. The 6-year-old Good and Tough gelding most recently finished second in the Nov. 16 Mr. Sulu Overnight Stakes on the turf at Fair Grounds.

Mallory Greiner’s Underpressure, a 4-year-old son of Birdstone , has won two of 10 starts this season but has dropped his past five outings. The Chris Richard-trained colt enters off a sixth-place finish in the Nov. 17 Delta Mile Stakes at Delta Downs.

Double Dam Farm’s Mageez also is trying to get back on the winning side of things. The 5-year-old son of Musket Man won an optional-claiming allowance race at Fair Grounds in February but has lost his seven starts since.

Other notable horses on the Champions Day program include the Al Stall-trained Minit to Stardom, who won her first three starts by open lengths, including a 7 1/4-length win in the Louisiana Champions Day Lassie Stakes at Fair Grounds last December. The daughter of Star Guitar  was sixth in the Longines Test Stakes (G1) in August and, in her first start since that effort, is the 9-5 morning-line favorite for the $100,000 Ladies Sprint Stakes.

Grade 1-placed Givemeaminit, another offspring of Louisiana legend Star Guitar, is part of a field of 10 entered for the six-furlong, $100,000 Sprint Stakes.

December Calendar of Events

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 Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association would like to share the following list of dates of interest to Louisiana horsemen and women.

Brought to you by Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association, Whispering Oaks Farm, and Equine Sales Company. Click images to link to more information 

Dec 1

  • Louisiana Champions Day Entry Day
  • Clear Creek Stud Stallion Presentation, Folsom, 10:30 a.m. -2:00 p.m.
  • Richard R. Scherer Memorial Overnight Stakes, New Orleans Fair Grounds

Dec 7

  • LTBA Board of Directors Meeting, 2:00 p.m., Landry’s Seafood Lakefront, New Orleans
  • The Magic City Classic, New Orleans Fair Grounds

Dec 8

  • 28thAnnual Louisiana Champions Day, 7 stakes for Louisiana Bred Thoroughbreds, 3 stakes for Louisiana Bred Quarter Horses New Orleans Fair Grounds, 1stPost 12:30 p.m.
  • Louisiana Champions Day, Race Central, 12:30 through last race,New Orleans Fair Grounds, Black Gold Room. Lunch is served from 1pm – 3pm. LTBA MEMBERS WELCOME!
  • LTBA Scholarship Drawings; two $1,000 scholarships for current college students. (Registration between 11:30 a.m. & 12:30 p.m. Drawings for two scholarships will occur at the winners circle after the 5thrace. Must be present at winners circle to win.)

Dec 15

  • Holiday Family Day, New Orleans Fair Grounds
  • Anyone with information about Louisiana Breds winning outside of North America, please contact Roger Heitzmann (Roger@louisianabred.com)

Dec 22

  • Santa Super Saturday, New Orleans Fair Grounds: Tenacious Stakes, Bonapaw Stakes, Blushing KD Stakes, Buddy Diliberto Memorial Stakes, Sugar Bowl Overnight Stake, Letellier Memorial Stakes

Dec 24

  • Christmas Eve – LTBA Offices closed

Dec 25

  • Christmas– LTBA Offices closed

Dec 26

  • Tiffany Lass Overnight Stake, New Orleans Fair Grounds

Dec 28

  • Starlight Racing, New Orleans Fair Grounds, 1st post 5 p.m. Fair Grounds Starlight Racing. The Topcats in the Clubhouse 7-11 p.m.
  • LTBA  and Fair Grounds Scholarship Drawings; four $1,000 scholarships for current college students. Must be present to win. For Details contact Fair Grounds Race Course.

Dec 29

  • Louisiana Futurity, Divisions for Fillies and for Colts and Geldings, New Orleans Fair Grounds
  • New Orleans Fair Grounds Stakes: Woodchopper Stakes, Pago Hop Stakes,

Dec 31

  • New Years Eve
  • Louisiana Stallion Registrations Due
  • Louisiana Futurity Nominations Due (pregnant mares)
  • FINAL DAY to apply for accreditation of 2018 Louisiana Bred foal at weanling rate  of $75. As of January 1, 2019, 2018 foals become yearlings and the rate increases to $250.

 
Would you like to sponsor a newsletter? Reach over 2,500 readers.

Please contact Linda 985-386-0360, linda@louisianabred.com or Roger 504-947-4676, roger@louisianabred.com for cost and availability.

Do you have a date pertaining to Louisiana-breds that you would like included in an upcoming calendar? Please contact Linda 985-386-0360, linda@louisianabred.com or Roger 504-947-4676, roger@louisianabred.comfor consideration.

 

Any questions or need more info call

Roger A. Heitzmann III, Secretary/Treasurer

Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association

504-947-4676, 800-772-1195

Monte Man Adds Heitai Overnight Stakes Victory to Record

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Heitai Overnight Stakes
Fair Grounds, 11-17-18, 6 furlongs
Three-Year-Olds and Upwards, $50,000

Monte Man_UR_11-17-2018
Monte Man, piloted by Gabriel Saez, won the Heitai Overnight Stakes at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans, LA. Hodges Photography / Amanda Hodges Weir

MONTE MAN
Custom for Carlos–Sarah’s My Angel
Breeder: Val C. Murrell
Owner: Ivery Sisters Racing
Trainer: Ron Faucheux
Jockey: Gabriel Saez

2nd
Divine Bean
Star Guitar–Good Human Bean
Breeder: Brittlyn, Inc.
Owner: Brittlyn Stable, Inc.
Trainer: Albert M. Stall, Jr.
Jockey: Colby J. Hernandez

3rd
Greeley Went West
El Corredor–So Well Read
Breeder: Tom Curtis & Wayne Simpson
Owner: Phyllis J. Hodges and Randolph Schneider
Trainer: James E. Hodges
Jockey: James Graham

CAFÉ DU MONDE SERVES UP A DELICIOUS VICTORY IN THE LOUISIANA LEGACY AT DELTA DOWNS

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The $100,000 Louisiana Legacy for 2-year-old Louisiana-breds was won by Café Du Monde at Delta Downs, Saturday, November 17.

The win by Café Du Monde came in his local and stakes debut under jockey Gerard Melancon, who also won the $100,000 Louisiana Jewel on Friday night with Goodprofit. Café Du Monde is owned by Diamond Racing, Inc. and Jay and Joan Janssen and is conditioned by Leo G. Gabriel, Jr. 

The trip that Café Du Monde took to victory was an interesting one as Melancon took his mount back early while Musada set the early pace of 23.42 seconds for the opening quarter mile, 48.20 for the half and 1:13.60 for three quarters. While racing up the backstretch the eventual winner found racing room at the rail and rushed up into contention before angling out and running down Musada turning for home. In the stretch, he put away Musada but had to hold off a late charge by Jimi’s a Star, who wound up two lengths behind the winner in second at the finish line while Musada stay for third, another 2-1/2 behind the runner-up.

 Café Du Monde covered the one-mile distance of the Legacy in a time of 1:40.95 over a fast track.

 The win by Café Du Monde was the second of his three-race career and he earned $60,000 for the effort. He has now won $96,450 during his brief career. 

Bred in Louisiana by Natalie Montgomery and Jim Montgomery, Café Du Monde is a 2-year-old dark bay or brown colt by New Year’s Day, out of the Hennessy mare Java Jolt.

Sent to the gate as the heavy favorite at odds of 1-5, Café Du Monde returned $2.60 to win, $2.20 to place and $2.20 to show. Jimi’s a Star was worth $5 to place and $3.60 to show. Musada paid $6.20 to show.

Cafe Du Monde - La. Legacy - 11-17-18
Cafe Du Monde wins the 2018 Louisiana Legacy Stakes. Coady Photography.

Louisiana Legacy Stakes
Delta Downs, 11-17-18, 1 mile
Two-Year-Old Accredited Louisiana Breds, $100,000

CAFE DU MONDE
New Year’s Day–Java Jolt
Breeder: Natalie Montgomery & Jim Montgomery
Owner: Diamond Racing Inc. & Jay and Joan Janssen
Trainer: Leo G. Gabriel, Jr.
Jockey: Gerard Melancon

2nd
Jimi’s A Star
Star Guitar–Unusual Strike
Breeder: James Boyd
Owner: James Boyd
Trainer: Henry B. Johnson
Jockey: Emmanuel Nieves

3rd
Musada
Goldencents–Reata’s Quik Punch
Breeder: Cypress Bend Farm
Owner: Cypress Bend Farm
Trainer: Brett A. Brinkman
Jockey: Thomas L. Pompell

TESTING ONE TWO REMAINS UNBEATEN AT DELTA DOWNS IN THE TREASURE CHEST

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This year’s $75,000 Treasure Chest Stakes for 3-year-old and up fillies and mares scratched down to a field of five but it didn’t lack excitement as Brittlyn Stable, Inc.’s Testing One Two earned a hard-fought victory under jockey Diego Saenz. The Victor Arceneaux trainee remained undefeated at Delta Downs with the win as she has taken all four of her local starts. Overall, she has won six of 10 outings during her career.

After breaking alertly in the one-mile test for 3-year-old and up fillies and mares, Testing One Two got a perfect stalking trip behind pacesetters Inspightof and Americium. The front-running pair dueled for the lead as they carved out fractional times of 23.44 second for the opening quarter-mile, 48.24 for the half, and 1:13.01 for three-quarters. As the field turned for home Testing One Two began a sustained rally three wide before running down Inspeightof in the lane for a neck victory. Americium stayed on for third another 3-1/2 lengths behind the top pair.

Testing One Two covered the Treasure Chest distance in a time of 1:39.49.

Bred in Louisiana by her owner, Testing One Two earned $45,000 for the victory on Friday night and now boasts a career bankroll of $299,060. Testing One Two is bay filly by Star Guitar out of the Scat Daddy mare Yes Sir.

TESTING ONE TWO - Treasure Chest - 13th Running - 11-16-18 - R02 - DED-01
Testing One Two holds off Inspeightof to win the 2018 Treasure Chest Stakes. Coady Photography.

Treasure Chest Stakes
Delta Downs, 11-16-18, 1 mile
Three-Year-Olds and upwards, Fillies and Mares, $75,000

TESTING ONE TWO
Star Guitar–Yes Sir
Breeder: Brittlyn, Inc.
Owner: Brittlyn Stable, Inc.
Trainer: Victor Arceneaux
Jockey: Diego Saenz

2nd
Inspeightof
Orb–Quick Flip
Breeder: Hunter Valley Farm & Adrian Regan
Owner: Ben Rollins
Trainer: Thomas M. Amoss
Jockey: Gerard Melancon

3rd
Americium
Brilliant Speed–Sweet Maple
Breeder: Jose Luis Espinoza
Owner: M and M Racing (Mike Sisk)
Trainer: Karl Broberg
Jockey: Timothy Thornton

GOODPROFIT CASHES IN WITH MAIDEN-BREAKING PERFORMANCE IN LOUISIANA JEWEL AT DELTA DOWNS

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Delta Downs hosted the $100,000 Louisiana Jewel for Louisiana-bred 2-year-old fillies on Friday night, November 16, 2018.

The Louisiana Jewel turned into a coming out party for James Mcingvale’s Goodprofit, who broke her maiden while under jockey Gerard Melancon. The Chris Richard trainee was coming off a runner-up effort in her first start of the season on October 26.

Goodprofit was reserved early in the one-mile Jewel as she sat nearly 10 lengths off the pace set by Cohenscollegefund, who set fractional times of 23.57 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 49.12 for the half. As the field of six made the second and final turn of the race it was wagering favorite Silvercents who took a brief lead before Goodprofit stormed by at the head of the lane. Through the homestretch Goodprofit opened up an insurmountable lead and reported home 5-1/4 lengths in front of Silvercents for the win. Fortune Got Even rallied late for third, another 2-3/4 lengths behind the top pair. 

Goodprofit covered the distance over a fast track in a time of 1:41.96. 

The winner’s prize in the Jewel was $60,000 and it raised Goodprofit’s bankroll to $75,350. She has now won once from five career starts. 

Bred in Louisiana by her owner, Goodprofit is a bay filly by Guilt Trip out of the Charismatic mare Charming Colleen.

GOODPROFIT - Louisiana Jewel - 10th Running - 11-16-18 - R08 - DED-01
Goodprofit wins the 2018 Louisiana Jewel. Coady Photography

Louisiana Jewel Stakes
Delta Downs, 11-16-18, 1 mile
Two-Year-Old Fillies, $100,000

GOODPROFIT
Guilt Trip–Charming Colleen
Breeder: James McIngvale
Owner: James McIngvale
Trainer: Chris Richard
Jockey: Gerard Melancon

2nd
Silvercents
Goldencents–Carl’s Frosty Girl
Breeder: Steve E. Holliday
Owner: Johnny B. Evans and Terry Eoff
Trainer: Terry Eoff
Jockey: Sasha Risenhoover

3rd
Fortune Got Even
Stephen Got Even–Fortune in Gold
Breeder: Wendell A. Templet
Owner: Ricky Courville
Trainer: Ricky Courville
Jockey: Carlos L. Marquez

Remember Daisy Takes Tom Benson Memorial Overnight Stakes

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Tom Benson Memorial Overnight Stakes
Fair Grounds, 11-15-18, abt 1 mile, turf
Three-Year-Olds and upwards, Fillies and Mares, $50,000

Remember Daisy_F_11-15-2018
Remember Daisy with jockey Mitchell Murrill aboard gets a head in front of Eskenformore to capture the Tom Benson Overnight Stakes at Fair Grounds. Hodges Photography / Lou Hodges, Jr.

REMEMBER DAISY
Misremembered–Very Speightstown
Breeder:  Al Ulwelling & Bill Ulwelling
Owner:  Al Ulwelling & Bill Ulwelling
Trainer: Gary M. Scherer
Jockey: Mitchell Murrill

2nd
Eskenformore
Eskendereya–Madel
Breeder: Sugarland Thoroughbred, LLC
Owner: Sugarland Thoroughbreds, LLC
Trainer: James E. Hodges
Jockey: James Graham

3rd
Bermuda Star
Star Guitar–Bermuda Bride
Breeder: Tom Curtis & Wayne Simpson
Owner: Brittlyn Stable, Inc.
Trainer: Victor Arceneaux
Jockey: Diego Saenz

In The Navy Victorious in Mr. Sulu Overnight Stakes

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Mr. Sulu Overnight Stakes
Fair Grounds, 11-16-18, abt 1 mile, turf
Three-Year-Olds and upwards, $50,000

In The Navy_F_11-16-2018
In The Navy with Adam Beschizza aboard blased past Grande Basin to win the Mr. Sulu Overnight Stakes at the Fair Grounds in New Orleans. Hodges Photography / Amanda Hodges Weir

IN THE NAVY
Midshipman–Southern Princess
Breeder: Ken Standlee
Owner: Kendel D. Standlee
Trainer: Scott Gelner
Jockey: Adam Beschizza

2nd
Grande Basin
Good and Tough–Silver Rail
Breeder: Coteau Grove Farms
Owner: William J. Deckwa Jr., and John Carbo
Trainer: Edward J. Johnston
Jockey: Miguel Mena

3rd
Ninety One Assault
Artie Schiller–Lilly Ladue
Breeder: Richey & Strode Stables, LLC
Owner: Thomas Morley and Paul Braverman
Trainer: Thomas Morley
Jockey: Shaun Bridgmohan

 

Louisiana Bred Vibrance Runs 3rd in Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies

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Vibrance, a 2016 Louisiana Bred filly by Violence out of Dynaformer mare Block, made a valiant bid for the 2018 G1 Tito’s Handmade Vodka Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Stakes at Churchill Downs, on Friday, November 2nd.

Vibrance, under the handling of J.R. Velazquez stalked the pace early while off the rail, was on the inside entering the lane while making a bid but weakened late in the stretch run for owners Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, Donna Daniell and Jim Daniell. From four starts, the Michael W. McCarthy trainee has one win, and placed in the G1 Chandelier Stakes at Santa Anita, with $279,600 in earnings.

The filly was bred in Louisiana by Jason Hall and Bill Vanlandingham. Her sire Violence is the 2018 leading second crop sire in North America. Her dam Block, is a winning daughter of Dynaformer. She is a half sister to multiple graded winner in Peru, Lideris.

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