As the hours wound down on a remarkable birthday July 24 in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Evelyn Benoit took a moment to reflect. The owner of Brittlyn Stable has believed in her stallion Star Guitar from the start of his stud career, and Wednesday Benoit watched at Saratoga Race Course as Minit to Stardom dashed across the line in the $200,000 Honorable Miss Handicap (G2) to become the Louisiana-bred’s first graded stakes winner.
Not only did the 4-year-old filly deliver a 20-1 upset, but earlier in the day her 3-year-old brother Star Fitzstall broke his maiden at Delaware Park, making Benoit’s birthday one to remember.
JOCKEY DIEGO SAENZ IS THE RIDING STAR OF THE NIGHT WITH THREE STAKES WINS
OPELOUSAS, LA – Evangeline Downs hosted its annual celebration of the Louisiana-bred Thoroughbred on Saturday night with Louisiana Legends Night. There were eight stakes races with purses totaling $550,000, making it the richest night of the entire Thoroughbred season.
Louisiana Legends Mademoiselle
Evangeline Downs, 5-25-19, 5 1/2 furlongs
Three-Year-Olds and Upwards, Fillies and Mares, Accredited Louisiana Bred, $75,000
OURS TO RUN
Half Ours-Brown Eyed Baby
Breeder: Clifford Grum
Owner: Colonel Thoroughbreds, LLC
Trainer: J. Larry Jones
Jockey: R. Morales
2nd Our Millie
Half Ours–Magic Madam
Breeder: Barbara V. Rowell
Owner: Ming Yan Ng
Trainer: Ron Faucheux
Jockey: T. Thornton
3rd Tensas Thought
Custom for Carlos–Tensas Idea
Breeder: Curt Leake
Owner: Cash is King, LLC and Edward Johnston Racing Stables, Inc.
Trainer: Edward J. Johnston
Jockey: C.J. Hernandez
The first stakes race of the evening featured a returning champion in Ours to Run, who defended her victory in the $75,000 Mademoiselle by winning the race once again over a game Our Millie. Ours to Run was sent off as the biggest betting favorite of the night at odds of 1-9 and covered the 5-1/2 furlongs over the fast main track in a final time of 1:03.48 to win by 1-1/4 lengths.
Ours to Run was bred in Louisiana by Clifford Grum, is owned by Colonel Thoroughbreds, LLC, trained by Larry Jones and was ridden to victory by Roberto Morales. The 5-year-old mare is by Half Ours and is out of the Mineshaft mare, Brown Eyed Baby and has now extended her winning streak to six stakes races in a row.
SNOWBALL
Apriority–Inner Peace
Breeder: 4M Ranch
Owner: Tin Roof Farms LLC
Trainer: Samuel Breaux
Jockey: D. Saenz
2nd Net a Bear
Awesome Bet–Edacious Reality
Breeder: Lora Pitre & Elaine Carroll
Owner: Maximo Lamarche and Federico Deltoro
Trainer: Allen Landry
Jockey: S. Laviolette
3rd Cicada’s Song
Twirling Candy–Money for Makeup
Breeder: J. Adcock & Hume Wornall
Owner: John F. Youngblood
Trainer: Albert M. Stall, Jr.
Jockey: C.J. Hernandez
Snowball was sent right to the lead in the $75,000 Soiree by jockey Diego Saenz and she took that cue to lead every step of the way to score a 6-1 upset victory, finishing the one mile distance in a time of 1:39.69 to win by three-quarters of a length.
Snowball was bred in Louisiana by 4M Ranch, is owned by Tin Roof Farms, LLC, and trained by Sam Breaux. The 3-year-old filly is by Apriority and is out of the Value Plus mare, Inner Peace.
Louisiana Legends Distaff Starter
Evangeline Downs, 5-25-2019, 7 furlongs
Three-Year-Olds and Upwards, Fillies and Mares, Accredited Louisiana Bred, $50,000
GALAXY THIRTYSIX
Greeley’s Galaxy-Stang Thirtysix
Breeder: Gerald L. Averett, Jr.
Owner: Arian Haxhillari
Trainer: Ron Faucheux
Jockey: D. Saenz
2nd Tenpins Tempo
Tenpins-Perfect Time
Breeder: Elite Thoroughbreds
Owner: Elite Thoroughbred Racing LLC
Trainer: Lee Thomas
Jockey: C.J. Hernandez
3rd Kiss That Dude
First Dude-Kiss Me Tu
Breeder: Maverick Stables, Inc.
Owner: Wayne T. Davis
Trainer: Shane Wilson
Jockey: G. Melancon
Jockey Diego Saenz then made it back-to-back stakes wins on Louisiana Legends Night by coming through with a 3-1/2 length victory aboard Galaxy Thirtysix in the $50,000 Distaff Starter. The win was the second stakes victory of 2019 for Galaxy Thirtysix, who had previously won the $60,000 Premier Night Ladies Starter Stakes at Delta Downs on February 9.
Galaxy Thirtysix was bred in Louisiana by Gerald Averett, Jr., is owned by Arian Haxhillari and trained by Ron Faucheux. The 5-year-old mare is by Greeley’s Galaxy and is out of the Forty Won mare, Stang Thirtysix.
SHANG
Shanghai Bobby–Humble Janet
Breeder: Cloyce C. Clark Jr.
Owner: L. William and Corinne Heiligbrodt
Trainer: Steven M. Asmussen
Jockey: R.E. Eramia
2nd Power Jet
Power Broker–Zada Rae
Breeder: Joseph Adcock
Owner: William T. Reed
Trainer: W. Bret Calhoun
Jockey: C. R. Rosier
3rd Inspector Eddie
Mineshaft–Happy Choice
Breeder: Clear Creek Stud LLC
Owner: Cash is King LLC
Trainer: Edward J. Johnston
Jockey: C.J. Hernandez
Shang, who was sent off as a strong 3-5 favorite in the $75,000 Cheval, rewarded the faith of the betting public with a victory by one length over the 2019 Equine Sales Derby winner, Power Jet. Power Jet tried to go last-to-first, but his challenge was rebuffed easily by Shang, who finished the one mile in 1:38.26.
Shang was bred in Louisiana by Cloyce Clark, Jr. The 3-year-old colt is owned by Corrine and William Heiligbrodt, trained by Steve Asmussen and was ridden to victory by Richard Eramia. Shang is by Shanghai Bobby and is out of the Humble Eleven mare, Humble Janet.
Louisiana Legends Turf Distaff
Evangeline Downs, 5-25-2019, 8 furlongs (turf)
Three-Year-Olds and Upwards, Fillies and Mares, Accredited Louisiana Breds, $75,000
BERMUDA STAR
Star Guitar–Bermuda Bride
Breeder: Tom Curtis & Wayne Simpson
Owner: Brittlyn Stable, Inc.
Trainer: Victor Arceneaux
Jockey: D. Saenz
2nd Is Too
Midshipman–Tensas Salt
Breeder: J. Adcock & Montgomery Equine Center
Owner: Baronne Farms, LLC
Trainer: Edward J. Johnston
Jockey: C.J. Hernandez
3rd Tap Dance Star
Star Guitar–Dance by Em
Breeder: Virginia Lazenby
Owner: Virginia Lazenby Racing Stable LLC
Trainer: Oscar Modica
Jockey: G. Melancon
The first of two turf races on the program was the $75,000 Turf Distaff and Diego Saenz collected his third stakes victory of the night with Bermuda Star, who covered the one mile over the firm turf in a time of 1:37.19. Bermuda Star got first run on the pace-setting longshot, Mi Copa Rebosa, and then fended off a challenge from the 4-5 favorite, Is Too, to win by a half-length.
Bermuda Star was bred in Louisiana by Tom Curtis and Wayne Simpson. The 5-year-old mare is owned by Brittlyn Stable, Inc. and trained by Victor Arceneaux. She is by Star Guitar and out of the Runaway Groom mare, Bermuda Bride.
3rd Double Barrel Man
Musket Man–Double Points Day
Breeder: Michele Rodriguez
Owner: End Zone Athletics, Inc.
Trainer: Karl Broberg
Jockey: C.J. Hernandez
There was another winner from last year’s edition of Louisiana Legends Night defending his crown on Saturday night and that was the 2018 Louisiana-bred Horse of the Year, Monte Man, in the $75,000 Sprint. Monte Man had to overcome a slow start and rally five-wide on the far turn, but he managed to survive those troubles and win by three-quarters of a length in a final time of 1:03.48 for the 5-1/2 furlongs.
Monte Man was ridden to victory by Gerard Melancon, who was also aboard for that 2018 score. The 6-year-old gelding was the second win on the night for trainer Ron Faucheux. He was bred in Louisiana by Val C. Murrell and is owned by Ivery Sisters Racing. Monte Man is by Custom For Carlos and is out of the Sutter’s Prospect mare, Sarah’s My Angel.
MAGEEZ
Musket Man–Spaseeba
Breeder: James A. Mcgehee Jr.
Owner: Double Dam Farm LLC
Trainer: Delmar R. Caldwell
Jockey: R. Morales
2nd In The Navy
Midshipman–Southern Princess
Breeder: Ken Standlee
Owner: Ken Standlee
Trainer: Scott Gelner
Jockey: D. Saenz
3rd Theoryintopractice
Into Mischief–Cayman Colada
Breeder: Cypress Bend Farm
Owner: Courtney Barousse
Trainer: Steven M. Asmussen
Jockey: R. Eramia
It was a return to the grass for the $75,000 Turf, which provided one of the more exciting finishes of the night, as Mageez just beat out In the Navy for the win and denied Diego Saenz a fourth stakes victory. Instead, it was Roberto Morales who collected win number two on the evening, as Mageez won by a head and finished the 1-1/16 miles in a time of 1:43.27.
Mageez is owned by Double Dam Farm, LLC, of Delmar Caldwell, who is also the trainer. The 6-year-old horse was bred in Louisiana by James A. McGehee, Jr. Mageez is by Musket Man and is out of the Spectacular Bid mare, Spaseeba.
Louisiana Legends Starter
Evangeline Downs, 5-25-2019, 1 1/16 miles
Three-Year-Olds and Upwards, Accredited Louisiana Bred, $50,000
JUST STORMIN
Freud-Crypto Cream
Breeder: Tom Curtis & Wayne Simpson
Owner: Craig Drago
Trainer: Allen Landry
Jockey: K.D. Clark
2nd Lucky Andy
Lookin At Lucky-Sweet Britches
Breeder: George Gary Guidry MD & Walter Dwayne Brown MD
Owner: Hardy Racing Stables LLC
Trainer: Keith G. Bourgeois
Jockey: G. Melancon
3rd I Am Ready Again
Prado Again-Fillyocity
Breeder: Harry D. Williamson & Charles J. Guilbeau Jr.
Owner: End Zone Athletics
Trainer: Karl Broberg
Jockey: R. Morales
The $50,000 Starter was the final stakes race on the program and the 3-5 favorite, Just Stormin, proved best after being headed on the turn by I Am Ready Again. Just Stormin re-rallied in the stretch and ended up winning by 1-1/2 lengths in a time of 1:45.40 for the 1 1/16 miles.
Just Stormin was bred in Louisiana by Tom Curtis and Wayne Simpson. The 7-year-old gelding is owned by Craig Drago, trained by Allen Landry and was ridden to victory by Kerwin Clark. Just Stormin is by Freud and is out of the Cryptoclearance mare, Crypto Cream.
Live racing at Evangeline Downs will resume on Wednesday night with a nine-race program. Post time on Wednesday will be 5:50 pm Central Time.
For more information on the Thoroughbred season at Evangeline Downs, visit the track’s website at www.evdracing.com. Evangeline Downs’ Twitter handle is @EVDRacing and the racetrack is also accessible on Facebook at www.facebook.com/EvangelineDownsRacing.
About Evangeline Downs
Evangeline Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel is owned by Boyd Gaming Corporation, a leading diversified owner and operator of 22 gaming entertainment properties located in Nevada, New Jersey, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. Boyd Gaming press releases are available at www.prnewswire.com. Additional news and information can be found at www.boydgaming.com, or www.evangelinedowns.com.
Star Guitar Filly Scores in the Very One Stakes on the Preakness Undercard
Louisiana-bred Wild About Star wins The Very One Stakes at Pimlico on the Preakness undercard. Steve Queen photo.
by Gary McMillen
Steve Queen photos
Close your eyes. Imagine Evelyn Benoit speechless.
Evelyn Benoit, makes her way to the winners circle following the victory of her homebred Wild About Star in The Very One Stakes. Steve Queen photo.
Seldom at a loss for words—Benoit lost her voice for three days after Brittlyn Stable’s home-bred Wild About Star won the $100,000 The Very One stakes on May 14 at Pimlico Race Course on the undercard of the Preakness Stakes.
Benoit was with her 5-year-old Star Guitar mare in the shed row at Delaware Park the night before the race. “I went straight from the airport to the barn,” Benoit recalls. “It was 10 o’clock at night and she was cleaning up a bucket of oats and molasses. Her color and attitude were great. She looked amazing. You could tell she was sitting on a big race.”
Trained by Venezuelan-born Jose Camejo, Wild About Star shipped in to Pimlico on the morning of the race. From the first crop of Star Guitar, Wild About Star had previously done all of her racing in Louisiana. Going five furlongs on the turf and breaking from an outside post, Wild About Star made a statement for Louisiana-breds on the national scene. Three wide on the turn, Wild About Star chased the early pace before taking command at the 1/8th pole and drew off to win by daylight.
It may not have been good for her vocal cords, but for Benoit, winning a $100,000 stakes on the Preakness undercard was a dream come true. “From the time I landed at Delaware Park until we were in the winner’s circle I was treated like royalty,” Benoit recalls of the experience. “Every single person we met in Baltimore was kind and accommodating. Day or night the management and staff at Pimlico allowed us access to everything.”
“The atmosphere at the track was incredible. The place was packed,” Benoit continued. “The whole day was one big party just like the Kentucky Derby. The crowd was really into it. The enthusiasm was off the charts.”
In the party atmosphere and media attention, Benoit never made it back to her reserved seat in the clubhouse to watch the race. “People that I had never seen in my life came up and wanted to talk,” she explained. “When I walked out of the paddock I couldn’t find a place to stand.”
Benoit is no stranger to traveling to stakes venues and being on hand to root for her horses. “In forty years I don’t think there has been more than two occasions when I was not present,” she says. “It is very important to me. I just keep trying to promote horse racing in any way that I can. No matter what other business ventures I am involved with, horse racing has my maximum attention.”
Louisiana-bred Horse of the Year four times, the top money earning Louisiana-bred in history and winner of 24 of 30 starts, Star Guitar is the glue that holds Benoit’s racing stable together. “From the very beginning I knew that Star Guitar was the best horse I ever bred,” Benoit says. “From the day he started racing my bond with him grew stronger and got me through some tough personal times.”
For Benoit, winning The Very One stakes on the Preakness undercard was exhilarating but she is not one to dwell in the past. “I can’t say enough about my trainer Jose Camejo and his racing team,” Benoit explains. “They are so thrilled and committed to the progeny of Star Guitar. I’m looking forward to finding more quality mares to breed to Star Guitar. Just wait until you see the next batch.”
Louisiana-bred Wild About Star wins The Very One Stakes at Pimlico on the Preakness undercard. Steve Queen photo.
Brittlyn Stable’s Wild About Star, racing for the first time outside of her native Louisiana, came with a sweeping move on the outside and stormed down the center of the track to pass favored Jo Jo Air to win Saturday’s $100,000 The Very One at Pimlico Race Course.
Evelyn Benoit, makes her way to the winners circle following the victory of her homebred Wild About Star in The Very One Stakes. Steve Queen photo.
“I am wild about Star!” said winning owner Evelyn Benoit. “It took me about 40 years to get a stallion. Star Guitar is the Louisiana stallion of the year, and I own the mare and we have a lot of babies. This is what I’ve been trying to do, not only promote Louisiana racing but horse racing for everyone, to show that Louisiana and women and women in my position can do this. It was very difficult. I never had a horse super enough to be a stallion. Gosh, it’s just a dream. To win an open stakes here in this beautiful state of Maryland, it means everything to me. I’m so thrilled, couldn’t be any happier if I won the Preakness. You have no idea, this is like the biggest dream in my life come true.”
The 20th running of the five-furlong The Very One for fillies and mares on the grass was among nine stakes, five graded, worth $2.8 million on a 14-race program highlighted by the 144th Preakness Stakes (G1), the Middle Jewel of the Triple Crown.
Ridden by Daniel Centeno, Wild About Star ($13) won in 56.93 seconds over a firm turf course.
It was the first career stakes win for Louisiana-bred Wild About Star, a 5-year-old Star Guitar mare making her first start for trainer Jose Camejo. Wild About Star chased even-money favorite Jo Jo Air through a quarter-mile in 22.88 seconds before forging a short lead on the turn and pulling away to a 1 ¾-length triumph. Jo Jo Air stayed up for second, three-quarters of a length ahead of Misericordia. Eye On Berlin finished fourth.
Wild About Star has six wins from 15 career starts and is 5-for-11 lifetime going five furlongs on grass.
“(Benoit) wanted to promote the stallion all over the place, so she decided to run (Wild About Star) here after she worked,” said Camejo. “She was feeling really good. She was ready for this race.”
Benoit said the mare’s success is a big boost for Star Guitar, who stands at Clear Creek Stud in Louisiana, where his 2019 fee was $7,500.
“She’s out of his first crop, and I’ve wanted to have this opportunity in front of a large crowd to show that in Louisiana we can breed nice horses,” the owner/breeder said.
Monte Man wins the 2018 Louisiana Legends Sprint. Coady Photography.
On Sunday afternoon, Louisiana horsemen and women gathered at the Equine Sales facility in Opelousas to honor the 2018 Accredited Louisiana Bred Champions and their connections at the Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet.
While the majority of the award winners had been announced previously, the overall horse of the year was named at the banquet. Voted on by the LTBA Board of Directors, this year’s Louisiana Bred Horse of the Year is Monte Man.
LTBA President Warren Harang (center) presents the trophy for 2018 Louisiana Horse of the Year, Monte Man, to Breeder, Val Murrell (left), and trainer, Ron Faucheux.
Monte Man won six of seven starts in 2018, including five stakes wins. He won the Louisiana Premier Night Sprint at Delta Downs in February, the Costa Rising Stakes at Fair Groundsin March, the Louisiana Legends Night Sprint at Evangeline Downs in May, the Louisiana Cup Sprint at Louisiana Downs in August and the Heitai Stakes at Fair Grounds in November. In his final start of the year Monte Man ran third in the Louisiana Champions Day Sprint. Total 2018 earnings for the son of Custom For Carlos out of Sarah’s My Angeladded up to $257,690. Monte Man , who also received the award for Older Louisiana Bred Male was bred by Val C. Murrell, is owned by Ivery Sisters Racing and trained by Ron Faucheux.
Before the presentations, Lori Johnson of The Jockey Club delivered a very informative presentation on the new paperless registration process. There were many questions about the new process, and LTBA members were quite grateful for Lori’s knowledge of the topic at hand.
Following is a complete list of the Award Recipients and their connections:
Louisiana 2018 Horse of the Year Monte Man Sire: Custom For Carlos
Dam: Sarah’s My Angel
Breeder: Val C. Murrell
Owner: Ivery Sisters Racing
Trainer: Ron Faucheux
2018 Accredited Louisiana Bred Two-Year-Old Filly Midnight Fantasy Sire: Midnight Lute
Dam: St. Jean
Breeder: J. Adcock & Hume Wornall
Owner: Carl R. Moore Management LLC
Trainer: Joe Sharp
2018 Accredited Louisiana Bred Two-Year-Old Colt Classy John Sire: Songandaprayer
Dam: Kitty’s Got Class
Breeder: Tom Curtis & Wayne Simpson
Owner: Valene Farms LLC
Trainer: Dallas Stewart
2018 Accredited Louisiana Bred Three-Year-Old Filly Testing One Two Sire: Star Guitar
Dam: Yes Sir
Breeder: Brittlyn, Inc.
Owner: Brittlyn Stable, Inc.
Trainer: Victor Arceneaux
2018 Accredited Louisiana Bred Three-Year-Old Colt or Gelding Givemeaminit Sire: Star Guitar
Dam: Powerful Nation
Breeder: Clear Creek Stud Owner: Valene Farms
Trainer: Dallas Stewart
2018 Accredited Louisiana Bred Four-Year-Old and up Fillies & Mares Ours To Run Sire: Half Ours
Dam: Brown Eyed Baby
Breeder: Clifford Grum
Owner: Colonel Thoroughbred LLC
Trainer: Larry Jones
2018 Accredited Louisiana Bred Four-Year-Old and up Male Monte Man Sire: Custom For Carlos Dam: Sarah’s My Angel
Breeder: Val C. Murrell
Owner: Ivery Sisters Racing
Trainer: Ron Faucheux
2018 Louisiana Broodmare of the Year Street Beat Dixie Brass – Mary Eby
Owner: William D. (Joe) Pickett
2018 Andrew L. “Red” Erwin Stallion of the Year Star Guitar Quiet American – Minit Towinit
Owner: Brittlyn Stable (Evelyn & Maurice Benoit)
2018 Louisiana Leading Breeder by Breeders Awards J. Adcock (Red River Farm LLC)
2018 Louisiana Leading Breeder by Percentage of Stakes Winners James McIngvale
Owner Appreciation Distaff Stakes
Delta Downs, 3-8-19, 8 furlongs
3YO and upwards, fillies and mares, $60,000
TESTING ONE TWO
Star Guitar–Yes Sir
Breeder: Brittlyn, Inc. (LA)
Owner: Brittlyn Stable, Inc.
Trainer: Brittlyn Stable, Inc
Jockey: Diego Saenz
2nd Maline
Fusaichi Pegasus–Tourmaline
Breeder: Al Ulwelling & Bill Ulwelling (LA)
Owner: Margaret Lanetta Haa
Trainer: Beverly Burress
Jockey: Eguard Andres Tejera
3rd Saffron Spirit
Ghostzapper–Amber Grace
Breeder: Blackstone Farm LLC (PA)
Owner: Late Night Stables LLC
Trainer: Thomas M. Amoss
Jockey: Joel Dominguez
VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs hosted the $68,000 Owner Appreciation Distaff on Friday night and it was Brittlyn Stable, Inc.’s Testing One Two who came away with her second stakes win of the season under jockey Diego Saenz. Testing One Two is conditioned by Victor Arceneaux.
Testing One Two used a perfect trip in the Owner Appreciation Distaff as she stalked an early speed dual between Americium, Arch Arch Baby and Cause You Can. That trio volleyed for the lead through opening fractions of 22.89 seconds for the quarter-mile, 47.52 for the half and 1:13.52 for three-quarters. When the field reached the second turn of their one-mile journey, Testing One Two put the leaders away and set sail for home while opening up a clear lead in the stretch.
At the finish line, Testing One Two was 2-1/4 lengths clear of Maline who rallied for second while Saffron Spirit finished another two lengths behind in third. Testing One Two covered the eight furlongs in a time of 1:41.86 while running on fast track.
The win by Testing One Two was the eighth of her 13-race career. It was also her second stakes victory of the season. She also won the Treasure Chest Stakes on November 16. Friday night’s score was worth $42,000 and it raised her career bankroll to $399,660.
Testing One Two was bred in Louisiana by her owner. She is a 4-year-old bay filly by Star Guitar, out of the Scat Daddy mare Yes Sir.
Sent to the gate as the favorite at odds of 8-5, Testing One Two paid $5.20 to win, $3.20 to place and $2.20 to show. Maline was worth $8.20 to place and $4 to show. Saffron Spirit returned $6.60 to show.
For more information about the Delta Downs, including the upcoming Quarter Horse season that starts on April 19, go to 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.
Celebrate
Louisiana Bred Thoroughbreds at the
LTBA Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet
Sunday, March 31st
Dear LTBA Member:
You are cordially invited to attend our 2019 Annual Membership Meeting, at Equine Sales Company of Louisiana, in Opelousas, LA on Sunday March 31, 2019. Doors will open at 2:30 pm.
Awards will be presented to the breeders and owners of the outstanding accredited Louisiana Bred Horses of 2018 as well as the overall Horse of the Year. From 3:00 pm till 7:00pm Equine Sales Company Sale Arena will be the site as awards will be presented to the owner of the leading Stallion, the owner of the Broodmare of the Year, the Leading Breeder of 2018, as well as the High Percentage Breeder of the Year. See the attached sheet of this year’s champions.
As a special treat, this year we will have someone from The Jockey Club on hand to explain and to answer the many questions on micro chipping. This is a big change for everyone, so expect to learn something.
Our program will also include live entertainment. As we combine the 2yo in training sale with our awards banquet we expect a large crowd as well as fun for everyone.
Sincerely,
Roger A. Heitzmann III
Secretary / Treasurer
What: LTBA Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet
When: Sunday, March 31st, 3:00 p.m.
Where: Equine Sales Facility,
372 Harry Guilbeau Road Opelousas, Louisiana 70570
The Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association has announced the results of the 2018 Accredited Louisiana Bred Champions, 2018 Stallion of the Year, 2018 Broodmare of the Year and Breeders of the Year.
2yo filly ~ Midnight Fantasy
2yo colt or gelding ~ Classy John
3yo filly ~ Testing One Two
3yo colt or gelding ~ Givemeaminit
4 & up filly or mare ~ Ours To Run
4 & up male ~ Monte Man
Broodmare of the Year ~ Street Beat
Stallion of the Year ~ Star Guitar
Breeder of the Year ~ Red River Farm, LLC
High Percentage of Stakes Winners Breeder ~ James McIngvale
Accredited Louisiana Bred Champions and Broodmare of the Year are selected by a vote of the membership. Leading Stallion and Leading Breeders are based on statistics.
Award presentations will be made at the 2019 Annual Meeting on Sunday, March 31, 2019, at Equine Sales of Louisiana, in Opelousas, when the overall “Horse of the Year” will be revealed. This year’s Annual Meeting and Awards Banquet are being held following the Breeze Show for the Equine Sales 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale.
JIMI’S A STAR
Star Guitar – Unusual Strike
Breeder: James Boyd
Owner: James A. Boyd
Trainer: Henry B. Johnson, Jr.
Jockey: E. Nieves
2nd Titanium Pledge
Songandaprayer-Titanium Jane
Breeder: Riceland Racing Stables LLC
Owner: Riceland Racing Stables LLC
Trainer: Enis Mouton
Jockey: J.A. Guerrero
3rd Power Jet
Power Broker-Zada Rae
Breeder: Joseph Adcock
Owner: William T. Reed
Trainer: W. Bret Calhoun
Jockey: R. Morales
VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs hosted the $70,000 Pelican Stakes on Saturday night and it was James A. Boyd’s Jimi’s a Star who prevailed under jockey Emanuel Nieves. The winner is trained by Henry B. Johnson, Jr.
Sent to the gate as an odds-on favorite, Jimi’s a Star was taken back early in the seven-furlong Pelican as Conniejoe set the early fractional times of 23.57 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 48.40 for the half. Midway up the backstretch Jimi’s a Star began a sustained rally that put him within three lengths of the lead with a furlong to go. In the stretch he rallied passed his competition and reported home ¾ of a length in front of Titanium Pledge who finished second and Power Jet, who was another neck behind in third.
Jimi’s a Star covered the distance of the Pelican in a time of 1:28.42 while running on a fast track.
The victory was the first stakes score of Jimi’s a Star’s career and earned $42,000 for the effort. His career bankroll now stands at $129,820 on three wins from 12 trips to the starting gate.
Jimi’s a Star is a 3-year-old gray or roan gelding by Star Guitar out of the Unusual Heat mare Unusual Strike. He was bred in Louisiana by his owner.
Fans who wagered on Jimi’s a Star collected $3 to win, $2.40 to place and $2.10 to show. Titanium Pledge was worth $10.20 to place and $4.20 to show. Power Jet paid $4.20 to show.
Delta Downs will begin another week of racing on Wednesday night with a 10-race program that begins at 5:25 pm. The Thursday program next week will feature 11 races and Friday and Saturday night’s action will have 12 races per night. There will be a special post time of 4:55 pm on both of those expanded cards.
For more information about the Delta Downs, including the upcoming Quarter Horse season that starts on April 19, go to 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.
Clear Creek Stud in Folsom, Louisiana is hosting its annual stallion presention this Saturday, December 1, 2018 from 10:30 a.m. till 2:30 p.m. with the stallion show beginning at noon.
The event will include a catered cajun style lunch, entertainment, and special guest speakers including state officials and representatives from the Racing Commission and the HBPA. For the kids there will be face painting, pony rides, and a special appearance from Santa Claus. Door prizes will be given throughout the event.
Clear Creek Stud is standing Clearly Now, Custom For Carlos, G.W.’s D’Oro, Half Ours, Ole Rebel and Star Guitar for the 2019 breeding season.
