Tag: Louisiana

Clear Creek Stud Offers Scholarship for Students from Within the Louisiana Horse Industry

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With an eye toward the future of our industry, Clear Creek Stud will once again be making a $5000 Scholarship Donation in the name of their clients to a college student with Louisiana based connections to the Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse Breeding and Racing Industry.

Clear Creek Stud recognizes that for many of the people who perform the hard work of this industry day in and day out, the rewards are often not financial. “We want to help the children who come from these families who put in the long hours and hard work that are essential to keep our industry in operation,” says Val Murrell, general manager of Clear Creek Stud. 

The scholarship recipient will be chosen by the Louisiana Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (LaHBPA) and based on their opinion and evaluation of need and merit.

Interested students should send a letter and resume to Eddie Fenasci at the La.H.B.P.A. office by end of business day, Friday, May 12, 2023. Letters can be mailed to La.H.B.P.A. attention to Eddie Fenasci 1535 Gentilly Blvd. New Orleans, La. 70119 or email to efenasci@lahbpa.org.

The recipient will be named on Saturday, June 3, 2023 at the LTBA Awards Banquet at Evangeline Downs.

Fair Grounds Meet Leaders Halfway Through

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  • Risen Star Possibles Curly Jack and Two Phil’s lead this week’s notable workouts

New Orleans, La (Feb. 2, 2023) – The 80-day meet at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots hit the halfway mark last Thursday, Jan. 26. Here is an overview of the storylines so far. (Note: all stats cover racing through Sunday, Jan. 29).

Two trainers are having an especially remarkable meet, as Bret Calhoun leads all with 26 wins in 87 starts (30%) and Brad Cox is currently in second with 21 first-place finishes, accounting for 42% of his starters.

Cox’s success in the Derby and Oaks prep races accounts for five of those wins, taking the Lecomte (G3), Silverbulletday, Gun Runner, Sugar Bowl, and Letellier.

Three jockeys have risen to the top with Rey Gutierrez leading all with 37 wins. Jareth Loveberry is in 2nd with 34 wins. Both Gutierrez and Loveberry joined the colony last year, finished in the top ten, and are now vying for their first riding title at Fair Grounds. 4-time title winner James Graham sits in third with 33 wins; he’s fighting to make it three years in a row on top.

Godolphin leads the owners with 9 wins in 19 starts (47%). 15 of their runners have finished in the top three (79%). Lothenbach Stables is in second with 8 wins.

Though they don’t have the barns to compete for the titles, here are two of the trainers who deserve recognition for their success in the first half of the meet. Patricia West has racked up 7 wins in 24 races, including her first stakes victory coming on opening day when A G’s Charlotte won the inaugural Big World Stakes. Justin Jeansonne, too, has sent out live runners left and right, winning with eight of them from 34 runners.

The race is on for the apprentice title, and with 13 total Brianne Culp has the 5-win advantage over Sofia Barandela and Treylon Albert.

Returning to the colony this year, Florent Geroux and Corey Lanerie both picked up where they left off when it comes to their winning ways. Geroux, who scored his 2,000th career North American victory here last week, has won 34% of his mounts and Lanerie 21%.

With three sprint stakes wins at the meet – in the Thanksgiving Classic, the Scherer, and the Kenner – the Keith Desormeaux-trained Surveillance leads all horses with $225,000 in earnings. Older router Happy American is 2 for 2 at the current stand, winning both the Tenacious and the Louisiana (G3) for Neil Pessin.

For Louisiana-breds, no one has been more impressive than Touchuponastar, stretching out for the first time to win the Louisiana Champions Day Classic. But the sprinter Bron and Brow deserves mention for backing up his allowance win with a game victory in the inaugural Gary Palmisiano Stakes.

Work tab (notable morning workouts from the past week at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots)

Thursday, Feb.2

Working in company, Curly Jack fired a bullet for trainer Tom Amoss. The Iroquois-winner ran down two stablemates while breezing 5 furlongs in :59.80.

“It’s the work I was looking for with what we were trying to accomplish (having him work in company),” said Amoss.

Curly Jack is pointed to the Risen Star (G2) on Feb. 18.

Last seen in the Silverbulletday, Forest Chimes breezed 4 furlongs in :48.40 for trainer Jason Barkley (6th best of 59 at that distance). No race has been circled yet for this impressive lightly-race filly.

Exiting the Lecomte (G3), a race in which he pulled up late, the Steve Asmussen-trainee Echo Again reappeared on the work tab, clocking 4 furlongs in 1:02.60 (13th best of 18).

Wednesday, Feb. 1

After finishing second in the Lecomte (G3), trainer Larry Rivelli sent Two Phil’s out to breeze 4 furlongs on Wednesday morning with Jareth Loveberry aboard. He went :50.40, the 24th best of 46. Two Phil’s is pointed to the Risen Star (G2) on Feb. 18.

Not having raced since breaking his maiden at Saratoga in August, Disarm posted his fourth local workout on Wednesday. The 3-year-old colt, who could target Louisiana Derby Preview Day on Feb. 18, covered 5 furlongs in 1:01.60 (5th best of 21).

Monday, Jan. 30

A winner on debut for trainer Steve Asmussen, the 3-year-old colt First Defender breezed 5 furlongs in 1:01.40, the best at that distance compared to three workers total.

EILEEN ALEXANDRA RALLIES LATE FOR BIG WIN IN THE $70,000 ROSEWATER STAKES AT DELTA DOWNS

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RONNIE WARD TRAINEE TURNS IN HUGE EFFORT UNDER JOCKEY JUAN VARGAS

 

Eileen Alexandra wins the 2022 Rosewater Stakes at Delta Downs. Coady Photography.

 

VINTON, LA. – Saving her best stride for late, Bob Mahoney’s 4-year-old filly Eileen Alexandra rallied in the stretch to win a dramatic edition of the $70,000 Rosewater Stakes at Delta Downs on Thursday night. The win came at the expense of Final Quest, who was leading in the final strides before being overtaken by the eventual winner.

Under jockey Juan Vargus, Eileen Alexandra was reserved early in the 7 1/2-furlong test of Louisiana-bred fillies and mares. As pacesetter Lutie Mo showed the way through fractional times of 23.71 seconds for the opening quarter mile and 48.80 for the half, Eileen Alexandra sat back in mid pack before jockey Juan Vargas took her to the middle of the track for a clear run around the far turn.

Gaining momentum as the field turned for home, Eileen Alexandra took dead aim on the leader Final Quest as the latter clocked three-quarters of a mile in 1:14.32. During the stretch run, Final Quest could not hold sway as Eileen Alexandra just got up in the final jump to win the race by a head. It was another 5-3/4 lengths back to the third-place finisher Mishpachah. The final running time for Eileen Alexandra was 1:34.52 seconds over a fast track.

The win by Eileen Alexandra was the fifth of her 18-race career. She earned $42,000 for the effort and now has a lifetime bankroll of $214,436.

Bred in Louisiana by her owner, the Ronnie Ward trainee is a chestnut filly by Jess’s Dream out of the Mr. Greeley mare Miss Stonestreet.

Sent to the gate at odds of 11-1, Eileen Alexandra paid $25.20 to win, $10.60 to place and $5.80 to show. Final Quest returned $5.20 to place and $3.80 to show. Mishpachah was worth $3.80 to show.

 

Jamie Theriot Returns to Racing, Proves Early On He’s Still Got It

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Jamie Theriot. Hodges Photography.

New Orleans, La (December 5, 2022) – After a four-year absence from racing, jockey Jamie Theriot, 43, has returned to the saddle at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. On Sunday Nov 27, Theriot returned to the winner’s circle after giving Imindycatbirdseat a perfect ground-saving trip before tipping out and charging home to score in the day’s finale.

“It’s a great feeling that’s indescribable,” Theriot said walking back from the winner’s circle. “(Imindycatbirdseat) looked live on paper. I drew the one hole so I was like you know what, I’m going to give him the shortest trip, and if I have horse at the quarter pole, he’ll be the best today. And he was.”

Theriot now has 615 career wins at Fair Grounds, the fourth most of all active jockeys in the colony behind James Graham, Corey Lanerie, and Brian Hernandez, Jr. One of many brilliant riders from the Lafayette area, he rode his first race at the original Evangeline Downs, also known as the cradle of jockeys.

Taller than most riders, gaining the necessary fitness while maintaining weight off an extended time away was a challenge.

“Of course the last two pounds were the hardest thing,” Theriot said. “It was a very tall mountain to climb, but when I got to a certain weight, at a point in time you’ve got to finish the dance. It was a grind and is still a grind day-in and day-out.”

From riding six winners on June 8, 2008 at Churchill Downs to winning two Breeders’ Cup races in 2010 with Chamberlain Bridge in the Turf Sprint and Dubai Majesty in the Filly and Mare Sprint (both saddled by Bret Calhoun), Theriot has proven his talent on our sport’s biggest stages time and again. He’s also won leading rider titles at Evangeline Downs (2001), Oaklawn Park (2003), and Fair Grounds (2008).

“My first day back in the saddle breezing in the morning it was like I had stopped just yesterday,” Theriot said. “Don’t get me wrong there were little thingsI had to adjust but my timing was there. I knew I’d be a little rusty, the cobwebs would be there, but for the most part I was ready.”

In 2018, Theriot served a short stint riding for Ramapatee Gujadhur at Champ de Mars Racecourse in Port Louis, Mauritius. He rode the rest of 2018 based in Lone Star Park and Remington Park where he last rode Dec 5, 2018 before hanging it up to pursue other career opportunities.

“His attitude, his enthusiasm to come back and ride again is through the roof,” said Theriot’s agent David Heitzmann. “We’re working for a variety of trainers. A lot of Kentucky guys are still coming down and we expect to ride for some of those. The feedback has been really really good. We’re going to do our best to start off fast. And if he can ride the card, he’ll ride the card.”

Through Sunday Dec 4, Theriot’s record is 18-1-3-4. His win came riding for trainer Tanner Tracy. Through his prime when based at Fair Grounds, Theriot took a lot of mounts for trainers Bret Calhoun, Al Stall, Tom Amoss, Mike Stidham, and Joe Duhon.

“I’m thankful for the trainers who are giving me the opportunity and who believe in me.” Theriot said. “This is another step to show them I can still do this.”

 

Fair Grounds Suspends Turf Racing

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The Louisiana track entered its meet with plans to begin with limited turf racing.

Officials at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots this week suspended turf racing through at least late December to allow the track’s grass to recover from damage to the inner portion of the course. The New Orleans track entered its meet that began Nov. 18 with plans of a reduced schedule of turf racing, utilizing only its outermost running lane.

According to Gary Palmisano, executive director of racing for Churchill Downs Inc., which owns Fair Grounds, the course did not experience its customary growth this fall. Amid dry conditions, a well the track used for watering the grass was intruded with salt water when the Gulf of Mexico pushed into city freshwater supplies due to drought across much of the areas surrounding the Mississippi River, he said. Saltwater can kill grass.

Initial use of another water source and recent rainfall in the area has allowed officials to irrigate the turf, he added.

 

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Louisiana Champions Preview Weekend Features Six New Stakes, Sets Stage for Brittlyn Stable’s Encore

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The victory march begins for Jose Camejo-driven Brittlyn Stable, sending out four of stallion Star Guitar’s finest

New Orleans, LA (November 17, 2022)—The history of 151 years of horse racing at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots can be read in the stakes names, from the Colonel Power to the Rachel Alexandra (G2), the Allen Lacombe to the Buddy Diliberto. That tradition continues with the addition of six new opening weekend restricted stakes, serving as the perfect springboard for Louisiana Champions Day on Dec 10.

Brittlyn Stable seems poised to replicate last year’s record-breaking number of 22 winners, all of whom were sired by Star Guitar, but this time Evelyn Benoit and Jose Camejo will look to kick off the meet in the same fashion they ended 2021 – 2022. On closing day, Brittlyn Stable sent out sire Star Guitar’s top three runners. Behemah Star won The Star Guitar, named after his legendary sire. Ova Charged won The Page Cortez. Spirited Beauty ran a gusty third in The Shantel Lanerie.

Opening day will see Ova Charged and Spirited Beauty face off in the $75,000 Happy Ticket. Behemah Star is entered in the $75,000 Scott’s Scoundrel. Star Guitar’s newest hit, Pursuit l’Harmonie will debut in the $75,000 Donovan L. Ferguson for 2-year-old fillies.

 

 

Friday’s spotlight will be on Louisiana-bred fillies and mares

A 6 furlong sprint for 3-year-olds and up will be run in Happy Ticket’s honor. The presence of Brittlyn Stable’s Ova Charged didn’t scare away eight others from entering, including stablemate Spirited Beauty. After winning The 2021 Louisiana Champions Day Ladies Sprint in an unforgettable battle against Cilla, Ova Charged has raced only once more, winning the Page Cortez by seven lengths over two others entered here, Snowball and Fame Feather. She has the talent to be the next graded stakes winning La-bred, durability is the only question. Installed as the 3-5 favorite by morning-line oddsmaker and Fair Grounds’ clocker Mike Diliberto, Ova Charged will be guided from post four by Jose Rodriguez.

The Happy Ticket Stakes is Race eight on the opening day card. Post time is scheduled for 6:36 p.m. (all times CT). Follow this link for a list of the entire field: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/FG111822USA-EQB.html#RACE8

A field of eight 3-year-olds will inaugurate the 1 mile 70 yards race across the main track in Big World’s honor. Allied Racing Stable’s Winning Romance is the deserving 2-1 morning line favorite. Winner of the $75,000 Shantel Lanerie in the spring, Calhoun has kept her fresh and in form. She defeated stablemate She’s Gone D’Wild in the Evangeline Distaff, and finished second to graded-stakes-aspiring Free Like a Girl on Oct 7 in the Magnolia at Delta Downs. Deshawn Parker keeps the mount and will likely be pressing or taking the early lead breaking from gate five.

It’s hard to argue with Keith Plaisance’s Cheapskate Diva’s 2022 form. After breaking her maiden against $20,000 claimers on May 14 across the Evangeline Downs turf course, trainer Joseph Felks moved her through two allowance conditions and then threw her in the deep end, facing the likes of Fort Polk, Net a Bear, and A G’s Charlotte in the Louisiana Cup Distaff at Louisiana Downs. She won. That was in August and she is fresh and firing bullets coming into this one. Colby Hernandez will leg up for the first time and he will likely send to the front from post eight.

Fort Polk, the patient stalker from Pat Mouton’s barn, has drawn the rail (Emmanuel Nieves, 7-2 ML).

The Big World Stakes is Race four on the opening day card. Post time is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Follow this link for a list of the entire field: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/FG111822USA-EQB.html#RACE4

Named for Fair Grounds’ beloved, longtime mutuels manager, the $75,000 Donovan L. Ferguson Memorial offers a chance for La-bred 2-year-old fillies to shine over 5 1/2 furlongs of dirt.

In June, Mansfield Racing’s Free Drop Maddy debuted at Churchill Downs and was bet to favoritism. She ran well but finished second, then came back against stakes company at Lone Star and again the betting public fancied her chances, and they were correct. It’s been two third-place finishes since then for the $200,000 yearling purchase trained by Calhoun, including finishing three lengths shy of Janet Is Ready at Delta Downs on October 14 in the Louisiana Jewel. That duo will renew acquaintances here. Rey Guitierrez will try to return her to the winner’s circle, breaking from post seven (5-2 ML).

The ownership team of Jerry Caroom, Carl Deville, Gerald Bruno Jr, and Our Blue Streaks Stable have to be feeling on top of the world about their $5,500 purchase, Janet Is Ready. With three stakes wins under her belt, including a score against open company in the Prairie Gold Lassie at Prairie Meadows in July, she is a tough-trip across a muddy track away from stakes perfection. Tabbed as the favorite when she debuted at Churchill Downs in May, she is a half sibling to two other fine La-breds, Janets Jay Jay and Prizeless. Chasey Pomier trains, and Devon Magnon comes in from Delta to ride.  Pegged as the 9-5 favorite on the morning line, Janet Is Ready drew gate three.

Slated as Race six, post time for the Ferguson is scheduled for 5:32 p.m. Follow this link for a list of the entire field:https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/FG111822USA-EQB.html#RACE6

On Saturday, Nov 19 the focus shifts to Louisiana-bred colts

Brittlyn Stable’s Behemah Star will return to the main track in the $75,000 Scott’s Scoundrel for 3-year-olds and up to be run over 1 mile 70 yards. Having not won since closing day, it’s not surprising to see him at 6-1 on the morning line (Jose Rodriguez, post 2). Allied Racing Stables’ Who Took the Money is the deserving 7-5 favorite.

Finishing third to Behemah Star in the Star Guitar Stakes after a brutal start, Who Took the Money won his next two, most recently earning a career-top speed figure in the Gold Cup Stakes at Delta. Deshawn Parker times this Calhoun-trainee’s late move perfectly, and he will have plenty of pace to close into with stablemate Highland Creek in the field (uncoupled Allied Racing entry). He doesn’t need the lead but he will definitely be pressuring the front runners: Kendel D Standlee’s Big Chopper (jockey Jareth Loveberry, trainer Scott Geldner, 15-1 ML, post 8), ​​Norman C Miller IV’s Maga Man (Joe Stokes, Norman Miller III, 12-1, post 7) , and Gerard Perron’s Grand Luwegee (Colby Hernandez, Gerard Perron, 6-1 ML, post 5).

The Scott’s Scoundrel Stakes is Race seven on Saturday’s card. Post time is scheduled for 4:15 p.m. Follow this link for a list of the entire field: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/FG111922USA-EQB.html#RACE7

No other horse would be more fitting a winner of the inaugural 6-furlong $75,000 Monte Man Stakes for 3-year-olds and up than Allen Cassedy’s Bertie’s Galaxy. The Ron Faucheaux–trained stablemates ran first and second in last year’s Louisiana Champions Day Sprint, Monte’s Man final race.

Bertie’s Galaxy is a 11-time winning speed demon who always runs his race, having finished in the exacta 19 out of his 25 tries. The 5-2 pre-betting favorite will look to get the jump on a field full of early speed from post 2 with Jareth Loveberry up.

The Monte Man is Race eight on the opening day card. Post time is scheduled for 4:45 p.m. Follow this link for a list of the entire field: https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/FG111922USA-EQB.html#RACE8

Louisiana-bred 2-year-old colts will look to strut their stuff in the 5 1/2 furlong $75,000 Joseph R.Peluso Stakes. The Coteau Grove-bred Kevin Stedman-owned Late September exits a mid-October win in the Louisiana Legacy Stakes at Delta Downs. Before that, he ran in the Group 2 Coventry at Royal Ascot. In Camejo’s hands, he broke his maiden in May at Churchill Downs. This world-traveler will be piloted by jockey Jose Rodriguez. 5-2 on the morning line, he’ll break from the far outside in post 8.

Morning-line oddsmaker Mike Diliberto tabbed Ivery Sisters Racing’s Not On Herb as his 7-2 main threat. This son of First Samurai impressed his trainer Ron Faucheux by surviving a taxing duel to win on debut in October at Delta Downs.

Slated as Race 5, post time for the Peluso is scheduled for 3:15 p.m. Follow this link for a list of the entire field:https://www.equibase.com/static/entry/FG111922USA-EQB.html#RACE

Fair Grounds Racetrack and Slots Makes Changes to Condition Book 1

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The management of Fair Grounds Racetrack and Slots has discovered that there are some problems with the turf course. As a precaution, adjustments have been made to Condition Book 1 in order to resolve the issues. The majority of the turf races moving to the dirt track.  Among the races being moved to the dirt track is the  Louisiana Champions Day Ladies Turf on December 10th. The stakes for Accredited Louisiana Bred three-year-old and upward fillies and mares, was originally to be run at 1 1/16 miles on the turf. The Louisiana Champions Day Turf for Accredited Louisiana Bred three-year-olds and upwards will remain on the turf course.

For Fair Grounds Condition Book 1 Changes, Click Here

November Calendar of Events from the LTBA

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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 Whispering Oaks Farm,  and Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association. Click images to link to more information

Nov 1

  • All Saints Day

Nov 4

  • Treasure Chest S., Delta Downs, Vinton, Louisiana

Nov 5

  • Delta Mile S., Delta Downs, Vinton, Louisiana

Nov 6

  • Daylight Savings Time Ends

Nov 8

  • Election Day

Nov 11

  • Veterans Day
  • My Trusty Cat S., Delta Downs, Vinton, Louisiana

Nov 12

  • Jean Lafitte S., Delta Downs, Vinton, Louisiana

Nov 14
·       Fair Grounds, final day to enter papers for zero date

Nov 18

  • Fair Grounds 151st Season Opens
  • Happy Ticket S., Fair Grounds, New Orleans
  • Big World S., Fair Grounds, New Orleans
  • Donovan L. Ferguson S., Fair Grounds, New Orleans

Nov 19

  • Monte Man S., Fair Grounds, New Orleans
  • Scott’s Scoundrel S., Fair Grounds, New Orleans
  • Joseph R. Peluso Mem. S., Fair Grounds, New Orleans

Nov 24

  • Thanksgiving
  • Thanksgiving Classic, Fair Grounds, New Orleans

Nov 26

  • Final Louisiana Champions Day Nominations Deadline

Nov 30

  • Louisiana Futurity Nomination Forms to mail from LTBA office
  • Stallion Registration Forms (covered in ‘22 for foals of ‘23) to mail from LTBA office

Would you like to sponsor a newsletter? Reach @ 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

Judge Rules CDI Can Ban Broberg From Fair Grounds Over Alleged Neglect

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by Paulick Report Staff

 

Trainer Karl Broberg

Last September, Churchill Downs, Inc. banned trainer Karl Broberg from the entry box at its parent company’s racetracks after an incident involving a voided claim led to what CDI alleged as neglect.

When racing began at the CDI-owned Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans, La., however, the Louisiana Racing Commission insisted that only state racing stewards could legally exclude Broberg from racing. Commission chair Benjamin Guilbeau argued that since the Kentucky commission did not take action against Broberg, the trainer’s license remained in good standing.

Broberg wound up starting 40 horses at last year’s Fair Grounds race meet, per Equibase, running out earnings of $152,900. For comparison, the trainer started 76 horses at the 2020-2021 race meet.

 

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FREE LIKE A GIRL STAYS PERFECT AT DELTA DOWNS IN THE $100,000 MAGNOLIA STAKES

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LOUISIANA-BRED SUPER FILLY NOW FOUR-FOR-FOUR AT DELTA DOWNS

 

Free Like A Girl wins the 2022 Magnolia Stakes at Delta Downs. Coady Photography.

 

VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs hosted the first stakes race of its 2022-23 Thoroughbred season on Friday night and the fans in attendance were treated to a stellar performance by Free Like a Girl, who kept her local record perfect at four-for-four with a victory in the featured $100,000 Magnolia Stakes. The 3-year-old filly was ridden to victory by Pedro Cotto, Jr.

Coming into the race off two consecutive runner-up efforts in graded stakes company, Free Like a Girl stalked the early pace in the seven-furlong test for Louisiana-bred fillies and mares set by Winning Romance, who went the opening quarter mile in 23.37 seconds. At the half-mile point Noneya took a short lead stopping the clock in 47.68, but the advantage was short lived as Free Like a Girl swept to the front while three wide.

In the homestretch Cotto gave the Chasey Pomier trainee the gentlest of reminders as she held Winning Romance at bay to win the Magnolia by 1-1/2 lengths. Snowball finished third, another six lengths behind the top pair. The final running time for the winner was 1:25.92. Each race on the program was contested over a fast track.

Free Like a Girl, who is owned by Gerald Bruno, Jr., Carl Deville, Chasey Deville Pomier and Jerry Caroom, has now won nine-of-18 career starts overall and she earned $60,000 for her Magnolia score on Friday. Her total bankroll now stands at $662,128.

Bred in Louisiana by Kim Renee Stover & Lisa Osborne, Free Like a Girl is a bay filly by El Deal, out of the Flashy Bull mare Flashy Prize.

Sent to the gate as the overwhelming favorite of the fans at odds of 1-9, Free Like a Girl paid $2.20 to win, $2.10 to place and $2.10 to show. Winning Romance returned $3.40 to place and $2.40 to show. Snowball was worth $3 to show.

Delta Downs will close out the opening week action on Saturday with another nine-race program headed by the $100,000 Gold Cup stakes for Louisiana-breds. The card kicks off at 4:55 pm.

For more information about the new season, visit the track’s website at www.deltadownsracing.com. Fans can also get information on Facebook and Twitter.