VINTON, LA. – In the second of a pair of stakes races hosted byDelta Downs on Tuesday afternoon, Rodney J. Verret’s Saints N Muskets took the $75,000 Magnolia, her second stakes win of the season.
Saints N Muskets wins the 2021 Magnolia Stakes at Delta Downs
The Magnolia Stakes featured a dramatic finish as the Allen Landry trainee Saints N Muskets wore down pacesetter Sarah’s Passion to score a narrow win under jockey Joe Stokes. It was her second stakes score of the season as she also won the Lookout Stakes on November 25.
After breaking from post position five in a field of six, Saints N Muskets stalked the early pace set by Sarah’s Passion, who covered the quarter mile in 23.68 seconds, the half in 48.84 and three quarters in 1:27.66. Sarah’s Passion lead by three lengths in the upper-stretch but could not hold off Saints N Muskets, who’s momentum carried her to the win by just a neck. Smok’n Rita rallied to grab third, another 4-3/4 lengths behind the runner-up.
Saints N Muskets covered the one-mile distance of the Magnolia in a time of 1:41.80.
Saints N Muskets has now won five of 16 career races. Her $45,000 paycheck on Tuesday raised to career bankroll to $181,365.
Bred in Louisiana by J. E. Jumonville, Jr. & Bunny Jumonville, Saints N Muskets is a 6-year-old dark bay or brown mare by Musket Man, out of the Vindication mare Laughing Saint.
Sent off at odds of 2-1, Saints N Muskets paid $6.60 to win, $3.80 to place and $2.80 to show. Sarah’s Passion returned $7 to place and $4 to show. Smoke’n Rita was worth $5.40 to show.
Delta Downs will continue racing on Wednesday afternoon with another nine-race program that is scheduled to begin at 12:55 pm.
For more information about the current season visit the track’s website at www.deltadownsracing.com. Fans can also get information about the track through Facebook by visiting the page ‘Delta Downs Racing’. The track’s Twitter handle is @deltaracing.
VINTON, LA. – In the first of two stakes hosted by Delta Downs Tuesday afternoon, Jean Etinne Dubois’s Australasia won the $75,000 Louisiana Jewel.
Australasia captures the 2021 Louisiana Jewel at Delta Downs
The win by Australasia came in smashing style as the Brad Cox trainee pressed the early pace set by Taylor Avenue and others before taking off in the lane under jockey Diego Saenz and winning by a widening six lengths.
The pace of the race was solid as Taylor Avenue, Inawic and Non Binding all vied for the early lead while covering the opening quarter mile in 23.49 seconds and the half in 48.52. As the field entered the second turn of the race, Australasia took command and never looked back, recording the easy win. Inawic stayed on for second while Tecate Time rallied for third, another 3 ¼-lengths behind the runner up.
Australasia covered the 7-1/2 furlongs of the Louisiana Jewel in a time of 1:34.35 while racing over a fast track.
Now undefeated in two lifetime starts, Australasia has a bankroll of $73,200 after earning $45,000 for her effort in the first stakes race of her career. She broke her maiden at first asking on November 26 at Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans.
Australasia is a 3-year-old dark bay or brown filly by Sky Kingdom, out of the Tiznow mare Ayala Strand. She was bred in Louisiana by J. Adcock & Hume Wornall.
Sent to the gate as the odds-on favorite at odds of 2-5, Australasia paid $2.80 to win, $2.20 to place and $2.10 to show. Inawic was worth $10.20 to place and $7 to show. Tecate Time returned $3.60 to show.
LOUISIANA-BRED WINS FIRST STAKES RACE OF HIS CAREER –
Standing Perfect wins the Louisiana Legacy Stakes at Delta Downs
VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs hosted a nine-race program on Monday that included the $75,000 Louisiana Legacy Stakes. The race was won by Respect The Valleys, LLC’s Standing Perfect, who used a front running trip under jockey Ashley Broussard to score the victory.
After breaking from post position four in a field of seven, Standing Perfect vied for the early lead with Morricone before coming away with a clear lead entering the first of two turns in the 7-1/2 furlong affair for 3-year-olds. The opening quarter mile was clicked off in 23.43 seconds. Racing up the backstretch, Standing Perfect kept Morricone at bay before the latter backed out and left a clear lead to the eventual winner, who had gone a half-mile in a time of 48.30 seconds.
Broussard stayed after Standing Perfect turning for home as a new set of challengers had emerged in the upper-stretch. But none of them had enough to get to the Lee Thomas trainee as he reported home three lengths in front of Wise Anchor, who finished second, and Drewhustle, who was third another 1-1/2 lengths behind the top pair. Standing Perfect covered the distance over a track listed ‘wet fast’ in a time of 1:35.65.
The win by Standing Perfect was the second of his career. He broke his maiden at first asking on September 16 while racing on the turf at Louisiana Downs before finishing second in stakes company at Fair Grounds. He earned $45,000 for his Legacy win and now has a bankroll of $78,500.
Standing Perfect is a 3-year-old colt by Half Ours, out of the Majesticperfection mare Stand by for News. The gray or roan runner was bred in the Bayou State by Roger C. Rashall.
Sent to the gate at odds of 6-5, Standing Perfect paid $4.60 to win, $3 to place and $2.40 to show. Wise Anchor was worth $5.80 to place and $3.40 to show. Drewhustle returned $4 to show.
Delta Downs will host live racing again on Tuesday with a nine-race card that includes the $75,000 Louisiana Jewel and the $75,000 Magnolia Stakes. First post time is set for 12:55 pm.
For more information about the current season visit the track’s website at www.deltadownsracing.com. Fans can also get information about the track through Facebook by visiting the page ‘Delta Downs Racing’. The track’s Twitter handle is @deltaracing.
Opelousas, LA–David Tillson announced new 2021 stallion, the Graded Stakes Winner BOBBY’S WICKED ONE, by red hot SPEIGHTSTOWN, leading sire of Grade 1 winners in 2020, has retired to Acadiana Equine at Copper Crowne.
BOBBY’S WICKED ONE defeated MITOLE winning his racing debut at 2 at the Fair Grounds by over 5 lengths. Winner of Keeneland’s Commonwealth S.-G3 and second in the Churchill Downs S.-G1, BOBBY’S WICKED ONE defeated the winners of over $29 million, including 19 Graded stakes winners, earned multiple triple digit Beyer Speed Figures and retired with earnings of $547,673.
Out of the GHOSTZAPPER mare WICKED CHARM, a winning half-sister to champion Turf Sire of 2020 ENGLISH CHANNEL, his third dam is multiple champion COMMITTED.
BOBBY’S WICKED ONE will stand for $3,500 live foal as the property of a syndicate. For more information contact David Tillson (337) 315-2439.
Overnight purses have been reduced in advance of the start of the Oaklawn Park meet, a 57-day run which will begin Jan. 22. The Arkansas track is making the move due to limiting attendance because of social distancing requirements because of COVID-19. The news was first reported by Mary Rampellini of Daily Racing Form, who reported average daily purses will be about $600,000 instead of the originally projected $700,000, for about a 15% reduction. Stakes purses will not be altered.
An Oaklawn spokesperson confirmed the track’s first condition book is being reprinted with the new overnight purse structure.
Fair Grounds Announces Second Purse Increase of the Meet
Continued Strong Business Prompts Another Daily Bump
New Orleans (January 8, 2021) – For the second time in the young 2020-21 meet, Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots has announced a 10% purse increase across the board. Much like the first, the boost was inspired by strong simulcast handle during the first seven weeks of the 149th racing season, which includes solid bettor response to the newly implemented traditional early and late Pk5 wagers.
“Despite losing multiple days of turf racing, handle has remained quite strong,” Fair Grounds’ racing secretary Scott Jones said. “Condition book four will be released the beginning of next week, and we’re happy to be in a position to raise purses for a second time. We’d once again like to thank the owners, trainers and fans who have been supporting our day-to-day racing product.”
As a result of the increase, which will go into effect for condition book #4 (which starts February 3, 2021), purses on allowance races will be bumped up $5,000, the mid-level races will be boosted by $3,000, while all other races will receive a $2,000 hike. Maiden special weight races will now be worth $55,000. The purse increase includes both open races and Louisiana-bred races.
Entries for the Wednesday, February 3 card will be drawn one week earlier on Wednesday, January 27, 2021.
Chu Chu’s Legacy will be looking for the third stakes win of his young career Monday, when he makes his two-turn debut in the $75,000 Louisiana Legacy at Delta Downs.
The stakes, which is for 3-year-olds bred in Louisiana, will be run over 7 1/2 furlongs. It goes as the second race.
Delta had scheduled a stakes double for Monday, but the $75,000 Gold Cup did not fill, according to Chris Warren, director of racing for Boyd Gaming, the parent company of Delta and sister track Evangeline Downs.
Funeral services have been established for longtime jockey Kenny “Chopper” Bourque, who died Dec. 29 in Taylorsville, Ky., at age 67 from liver cancer.
According to his daughter, Tiffany Bourque, a funeral and mass will be held at St. Michael Catholic Church in Louisville Jan. 11 at 10 a.m. ET. A memorial will be in the spring.
The oldest of six siblings, Bourque was born in Abbeville, La., not far from Lafayette, where many Cajun-born riders learned to ride at unsanctioned racetracks called “bush tracks.” He and his youngest brother, Curt, became successful riders.
Pursuant to the Arkansas Department of Health directive, Oaklawn plans to conduct the 2021 live meet with limited spectators. The 57-day season runs from Friday, Jan. 22 – Saturday, May 1.
“We’ve been working on plans covering numerous scenarios and we’re happy to announce we will be welcoming back race fans in 2021, albeit on a limited basis,” General Manager Wayne Smith said. “We know that the fans are what make Oaklawn so special, but our main concern is for the safety and well-being of our guests and team members. We appreciate the support we have received from the Arkansas Department of Health in developing this plan. We will be working with them throughout the live season and will adjust as needed.”
In accordance with the guidelines set forth by the Arkansas Department of Health, Oaklawn has submitted a plan to allow a limited number of spectators at the races during the 2021 live race meet highlighted by the following:
• General admission into the Grandstand will not be allowed initially in 2021.
• Entrance into the Grandstand will strictly be for guests with a racing credential and/or reservation for that day’s races. Doors will open at 11 am.
• Current seasonal box seat holders and current Oaklawn Jockey Club members may enter the Grandstand with weekly reservations required. Detailed correspondence to be sent separately to these individuals.
• Restaurants inside the Grandstand, following Arkansas Department of Health directives, will be open to the public with weekly reservations required.
• Simulcast will be open Wednesday–Sunday, 11 am–8 pm to limited capacity with weekly reservations required.
• Social distancing will be enforced.
• All guests and team members will be required to have non-invasive temperature checks as they enter the facility. Anyone presenting a temp at/over 100 degrees Fahrenheit will not be permitted inside the building.
• All guests and team members will be required to wear masks at all times.
• Smoking will not be allowed anywhere inside the facility, including the casino.
Restaurant reservations may be made starting January 18 by calling 501-363-4710.
Simulcast reservations may be made starting January 18 by calling 501-363-4320.
For additional details and future updates, please visit oaklawn.com.
