Norah G comes through as overwhelming Futurity (girls) Favorite

Deshawn Parker pilots Norah G to victory in the $100,000 Louisiana Futurity – Filly Division at the Fair Grounds. Hodges Photography / Lou Hodges, Jr.

 

Tom Galvin’s homebred Norah G proved too much for the field of seven lassies in the $100,000 Louisiana Futurity. A touch slow from the gates, the up-and-coming star from Patricia West’s barn asserted herself through the turn and pulled away, but then just held safe late to win by a diminishing  3/4 length over the rail rally of the longshot maiden Everlyn’s Angel.

“I thought her break from the gate was much improved for the first two tries, so we’re moving in the right direction,” West said. “We do hope to try her at two turns in the near future.”

The debut winner earned her second victory completing the 6 furlongs over a good track in 1:14.93. Deshawn Parker was up for the score, one of two stakes wins for Parker, who also won the Woodchopper aboard Britain’s Kitten.

Longshot New Destiny, who attracted the services of Florent Geroux, vied for the early lead to set the fractions of :22.55 and :47.40. Norah G settled second to last after the slow break and had to maneuver through the forward five runners to make a sweeping move that propelled her to the lead. Everlyn’s Angel kept things interesting late rallying up the rail to secure second over New Destiny.

“Getting away from the gate went a little better,” Parker said. “She broke a step slow but not as bad as she normally does, so she’s getting better. Every time she’s raced so far she’s put herself in tight spots so I wasn’t surprised when she took me through those runners.”

Norah G is a daughter of Fast Anna out of the Malibu Moon mare Mr. G’s Moonshine and was bred in Louisiana by owner Tom Galvin. The 1-5 favorite returned $2.60, $2.10 and $2.10.

Shes a Lucky Rebel, Hopeitsmyluckyday, Star moment and Paramour completed the order of finish.

Norah G netted $60,000 and now boasts career earnings of $110,000 from a record of 2-1-0 in 3 starts.

A G’s Charlotte Runs Down Winning Romance in the Big World Stakes

A G’s Charlotte (left) with Marcelino Pedroza, Jr. aboard gets in front of Winning Romance to win the inaugural running of the Big World Stakes at Fair Grounds. Hodges Photography / Jan Brubaker

The first stakes win for trainer Patricia West was a sentimental one for the connections. Named after owner Thomas Galvin’s granddaughter, their filly A G’s Charlotte stole the show in the 1st running of the $75,000 Big World Stakes at 1 mile 70 yards for older Louisiana-bred females.

“It’s been a little bit of a challenge for her,” West said in the winner’s circle. “With her running style she is always chasing fillies and we’ve been waiting for her to get more and more mature. She got there today.”

The set-up was perfect for the 9.90-1 closer to make a late splash. Front runner Cheapskate Diva ran off under Colby Hernandez making the rounds in 23.58, 46.98, and 1:12.65 while leading by as many as 5 lengths. Betting-favorite Winning Romance let her go, but she began to reel her back in little by little, eventually grabbing the lead at the stretch call. A G’s Charlotte’s jockey Marcelino Pedroza Jr. let her loose at the perfect moment to nail Winning Romance at the wire in 1:43.56, winning by a neck.

“Those were hot fractions today,” Pedroza Jr. said. “Patricia (trainer West) told me to not get her into gear too early because she would make her move. When I put her into gear, she was right, and she got there in time.”

Adding another win for a career record of 11-4-1-2, A G’s Charlotte surely made her namesake proud and maybe she’ll share a portion of her $124,660 lifetime earnings with her, too.