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JUMP TO RACING NEWS 2007
5/3/08 - Opelousas, Louisiana –Classify ($4.20) recorded a popular victory in the $60,000 Tellike Stakes at Evangeline Downs Racetrack and Casino on Saturday evening. Receiving a perfect tracking trip behind early pacesetters Carson City Babe and Polyhymnia, the four-year-old Kentucky bred daughter of Unbridled’s Song surged to the front at the top of the stretch and after opening a clear lead had more than enough left in the tank to hold off the late charge of Precious Kiss to win by 3/4’s of a length under jockey Donnie Meche.
The running time was 1:10 2/5 for the six furlongs on a track labeled fast.
Doyouwanttodance, making her first start in more than two months, rallied well in the final stages to finish third, followed by Ruling Class. Carson City Babe and Polyhymnia, who vied for the lead thru fractions of 21 3/5 & 45, tired from their early efforts and finished fifth & sixth respectively.
Classify, trained by Steve Asmussen earned $36,000 for the win and increased her lifetime earnings to $161,710. This was the sixth career win and second stakes victory (she captured the Spring Fever at Oaklawn Park in March) for the Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC homebred out of the Olympio mare Classic Olympio.
4/12/08 - Opelousas, Louisiana –Tensas Gray Girl ($52.40) upset the applecart in the $62,230 Hallowed Dreams Stakes at Evangeline Downs Racetrack and Casino on Saturday evening. Biding her time in the early stages under jockey Edwin Maldonado, the three-year-old Louisiana bred filly closed determinedly while racing wide in the final quarter-mile en route to a one length victory over Diamondaire and Queen Rolex. The running time for the 5 1/2 furlongs was 1:05 2/5 on a track labeled fast.
Winning jockey Maldonado stated “Even though she was facing winners for the first time, I had plenty of confidence. She is still learning but in all of her starts she has given me a strong late kick so I wasn’t worried when she broke a step slow. When I saw the riders of the leaders including the big favorite asking their mounts midway on the turn I angled her to the outside so she would have clear sailing and she responded like I expected she would.”
Roseaguska, who was also reserved off the field in the early going rallied in the stretch to finish fourth. Elocution, the prohibitive favorite at odds of fifty cents on the dollar, faded badly after facing heavy pace pressure thru the early fractions of 22 1/5 and 46 2/5 eventually checking in fifth, beaten more than six lengths. Purely Class and Steamy Ridge rounded out the complete order of finish.
Tensas Gray Girl, a daughter of Ide out of the Cozzene mare Cool Kiss, earned $38,100 for the win, her second win in four starts. She is owned by the Riceland Racing Stables LLC and is trained by the veteran conditioner Enis Mouton. The winner’s prize of $38,100 more than doubled her previous lifetime earnings of $26,970.
4/8/08 - Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino Set To Open 43rd Season of Thoroughbred Racing with Expanded Fields
2008 Season to Run in Honor of David A. Yount
(Opelousas, La.) - Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino saw its 2007 spring/summer season post across-the-board gains in several major categories, including total handle, on-track handle, purse distribution, and average field size for the 89-night meet. The average field size for the 89 race days was more than 10 runners per race, which was the largest in the U.S.
Increased business and casino proceeds also drove purses to an all-time level. The nightly overnight purse distribution of $180,000 was more than $10,000 higher than in 2006, and with the improved stakes program, more than $19.4 million was paid out to horsemen. Nineteen stakes worth more than $1.8 million were contested during the meet, which was highlighted by the $200,000 Evangeline Mile.
On April 9, the 2008 spring/summer season begins promising a record stakes schedule which will feature 25 events worth a record $2.015 million, up more than 12% from last year.
“We are looking forward to another record season of thoroughbred racing," said Steve Darbonne, Evangeline Downs' director of racing operations. “Increased fields and purses will continue to set Evangeline Downs apart as the best place to race and wager. We are continuing to make improvements to the program and to the facility, including a 7/8-mile turf track to be completed in the very near future.”
The 2008 meet will also run in honor of David A. Yount, the former executive director of racing and current assistant general manager at Evangeline Downs, who recently lost a year-long battle with cancer. He was instrumental in moving the racing operation without interruption from its Carencro site to Opelousas. He maintained the operation in Carencro, while the casino was built and put into service in late 2003. Yount moved the racing operation to Opelousas well ahead of the state regulated deadline.
“One of his legacies is the racing program we have here in Opelousas,” said Darbonne. “Every time we run, we know he’ll be at the finish line making sure we are all doing the best job we can.”
The stakes schedule will showcase a total of ten events worth $100,000 or more, including the Evangeline Mile on August 16. The richest race on the calendar with a purse of $200,000, The “Mile” for three-year-olds and up, annually attracts the best handicap horses from both the mid- and southwest. Last year’s renewal was captured by Louisiana-bred Costa Rising, who dominated his rivals by double-digits under veteran Kerwin Clark for trainer Glenn Delahoussaye and owner Charles Castille.
State-bred horses will be in the spotlight during the running of the fourth edition of Louisiana Legends Night scheduled for Friday, July 4. The program will feature six races with a purse of at least $100,000 each and a total of eleven black type events that are worth more than $900,000. Last year’s event recorded an all-time high handle of $2,218,014 wagered.
The 2008 schedule will offer three new races. They include the $75,000 Opelousas Stakes for two-year-old fillies on Saturday, August 30, and a pair of races that are restricted to state-bred three-year-olds, the Salute Stakes for fillies on June 13, and the Acclaim Stakes for colts and geldings on June 14. The Salute Stakes will honor A Thrill for Jill while the Acclaim Stakes pay tribute to Bet Me Best.
Evangeline Downs Racing Secretary Jason Boulet stated “Louisiana racing, and especially Evangeline Downs, has long been a proving ground for two-year-olds, and while we have a three-race program of six-figure events for the colts, the addition of the Opelousas now gives us a similar program for the fillies.” Boulet further stated, “The Salute and Acclaim Stakes will each have a purse of $60,000 and will be held three weeks prior to Louisiana Legends Night in order to provide a final lead-in event for those three-year-olds and their connections preparing for their respective Legends Night engagements.”
The 85 night schedule will feature races every Wednesday-Saturday thru Labor Day, Monday, September 1. Post time each race night is 6:20 p.m.
4/5/08 - 2008 season to feature big fields, big purses at Evangeline Downs Racetrack and Casino
Opelousas, Louisiana –Racing returns to South-Central Louisiana for the 43rd consecutive year as Evangeline Downs kicks off the 85 night spring/summer season on Wednesday, April 9. Coming off a record breaking 2007 which saw sizeable increases in both simulcast handle and total handle, and in field size average, Evangeline Downs will offer horsemen a beefed up Stakes schedule as part of a daily purse structure of approx. $200,000 a night. Known nationwide as the “Home of the biggest fields”, Evangeline Downs last year averaged slightly more than 10 runners per race over the spring/summer season, one of the highest in North America. If early entries are an indication, the 2008 season should see similar if not higher totals as over the first three nights of racing an average of more than 11.5 runners are expected to break from the starting gate.
The expanded stakes schedule is worth in excess of $2 million and includes three new events, they are the Opelousas for two-year-old fillies sprinting six furlongs on closing weekend and a pair of state-bred races, the Salute for three-year-old fillies, and the Acclaim for three-year-old colts & geldings. The Opelousas will have a purse of $75,000, and both the Salute and the Acclaim will be worth $60,000. In addition, many of the races received increases from last year; the majority of those are now worth $60,000, compared to $50,000 in 2007.
Keith Bourgeois, the leading trainer the past three years including last year’s with a total of 76 wins, and Sam Breaux, runner-up to Bourgeois both last year and at Delta Downs over the winter, both have large stables and are expected to once again lead the way in the standings.
The Jockey’s room will also feature an unprecedented wealth of talent. Last year’s leading rider, Curt Bourque, who won 93 races and almost $1,7 million in purses, is back to defend his title, but will face stiff competition from both Gerard Melancon and Colby Hernandez. Melancon, 40, enters the meet off a sensational winter, winning the riding title at Delta Downs with an all-time record of 148 wins and more than $2.8 million in purses won. In addition, Melancon also recorded the richest victory in his career last month when he piloted Liberty Bull to victory in the $600,000 Winstar Derby at Sunland Park in El Paso, Texas. Hernandez, a solid second behind Melancon at Delta, is improving on a daily basis and despite losing his apprentice allowance has continued to ride for many of the top stables in Louisiana.
Other talented riders who are expected to ride the opening stages of the meet include Lonnie and Donnie Meche. The Meche brothers, perennial leaders at Louisiana Downs, will ride until the Bossier City oval begins their season next month. Don Simington and Jose Riquelme are two others who are slated to ride daily during the first half of the season.
The fourth edition of Legends Night, along with the Evangeline Mile, will headline the 2008 stakes calendar. The “Mile”, is the richest race of the season with a purse of $200,000. Legends Night, a stakes laden program restricted to horses bred in the Pelican state, honors those who have made an indelible impact and contribution to Evangeline Downs and racing in the state of Louisiana. This year’s edition will feature eleven stakes races worth a total of more than $900,000 highlighted by the two $100,000 D.S. “Shine” Young Futurities for two-year-olds. One for colts & geldings and one restricted to fillies.
Director of Racing Operations Steve Darbonne stated “We are excited by the talent gathered here for our 43rd season. Everyone is optimistic that we will have another excellent season, we continue to attract a solid group of horses and horsemen with our strong overnight and stakes schedules and we fully expect them to provide our growing fan base with the exciting and competitive racing product that Evangeline Downs is known for.”
A total of 113 horses were entered for Wednesday’s opening night 10- race program, including six oversubscribed events. The following two programs drew 121 & 115 entries respectively.
This year’s meet will once again run through the traditional closing night, Monday, September 1, Labor Day, with racing conducted Wednesday through Saturday.
4/2/08 - HORSEMEN SET MULTIPLE RECORDS DURING ‘07-‘08 THOROUGHBRED SEASON AT DELTA DOWNS RACETRACK CASINO & HOTEL - NEW STANDARDS ESTABLISHED BY JOCKEY, TRAINER AND OWNER - VINTON, LA.
Delta Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel closed out its 2007-2008 Thoroughbred Season last Saturday night, March 29. The 93-day stand produced several new records by the top horsemen competing at the meeting. Gerard Melancon recorded his first leading rider title at the Vinton, Louisiana oval by booting home a record 146 winners, breaking the old mark of 121 established by Guy Smith in 2004-2005 and tied by Tracy Hebert last year.
Melancon also set a new record for mount earnings in a single meet by a jockey with $2,815,690. The old record of $2,415,745 was established in 2006-2007 by Hebert.
Keith Bourgeois continued his Thoroughbred dominance at Delta Downs in recent years. The Lafayette, Louisiana resident won his fifth consecutive training title while also establishing new records for wins and total earnings during the meet. Bourgeois’ barn accounted for 88 wins and $1,377,080 in earnings. In 2003-2004 Bourgeois set the old mark of 61 tallies during a single Thoroughbred season and just last year his runners amassed $947,525 in total earnings.
K. A. T. Racing Stable (Katie Bourgeois, Anthony Distefano & Troy Williams) also joined the record breaking crowd at Delta Downs this season. The ownership group watched 25 of their runners make it to the winner’s circle, breaking the old mark of 18 wins by Carrol Castille in 2005-2005. Delta Downs will begin its 52-day American Quarter Horse Season for 2008 on Thursday, April 17. Live programs will be held each Thursday through Sunday night with post times during the meet scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
3/25/08 - THE STAKES SCHEDULE WRAPS UP THIS WEEK
Delta Downs will close out its Thoroughbred Season on Saturday with an 11-race program that includes the final stakes activity of the year. The closing night card will feature the $50,000 Gardenia Stakes for Louisiana-bred fillies and mares and the $50,000 Cocodrie for 3-year-olds and up also bred in the Bayou State. Both events will be contested at seven furlongs.
The Gardenia Stakes attracted 26 nominations including that of Road To Windy Hill. The bay filly is conditioned by Guy Smith, who will be seeking his first stakes victory as a trainer after a tremendous career as a jockey. During the 2004-2005 season at Delta Downs, Smith set a record for wins in a single season with 121.
The Cocodrie Stakes closed with 32 horses nominated including that of John Charles. The Sam Breaux trainee began his career with three consecutive victories at Delta Downs this season before suffering his first setback while running second in his most recent start on January 19. Saturday’s test will mark the first stakes race for the son of Belek.
3/18/08 - THE STAKES SCHEDULE CONTINUES THIS WEEK
There are only four stakes races left in the season at Delta Downs and two of them will take place this Friday night. They include the $100,000 Goddess Stakes for older fillies and mares and the $100,000 Gulf Coast Classic for 4-year-olds and up. Both races are contested at 1-1/16 miles.
The 2007-2008 stakes schedule will come to an end on closing night, Saturday, March 29, when the track hosts the $50,000-added Gardenia Stakes for Louisiana-bred fillies and mares as well as the $50,000-added Cocodrie for 3-year-olds and up. Both races will be carded at seven furlongs. Nominations close for the Gardenia and Cocodrie stakes on Thursday, March 20.
3/11/08 - MELANCON JOINS RECORD BREAKERS
It’s been a record breaking season at Delta Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel. The 35-year-old oval has seen new records set in all three horsemen’s categories during the 2007-2008 Thoroughbred Meeting.
The most recent addition to the record-breaking club is jockey Gerard Melancon. On Friday night the journeyman rider established a mark for victories in a single Thoroughbred season when he booted home the 4-year-old filly Flawless Gold for trainer Maynard Chatters in the fourth race. It was the 122nd tally of the season for Melancon.
The previous record for wins in a single season belonged to Guy Smith and Tracy Hebert. Smith rode 121 winners during the 2004-2005 season, while Hebert duplicated that mark last year. In addition to breaking two records this season, Melancon is also attempting to secure his first riding title at Delta Downs. Coming into this week’s action Melancon leads Colby Hernandez in the standings by a tally of 128 wins to 83. Melancon, who was born and raised in Rayne, Louisiana, also surpassed Hebert’s record of $2,415,745 in mount earning last weekend.Through 81 days of a 93-day season, Melancon has $2,440,920 total earnings.
Earlier this season trainer Keith Bourgeois broke his own record of 61 wins and $947,525 in total earnings during a single Thoroughbred season. Coming into this week the Lafayette, Louisiana resident has saddled 78 winners and amassed $1,161,845 in earnings.
And last but not least, owners K.A.T. Racing Stable (T. Williams, K. Bourgeois & A. Distefano) surpassed the record for wins by a Thoroughbred owner earlier this season. With three weeks left in the meet they have notched 20 wins, eclipsing the old mark of 18 established by Carrol Castille in 2004-2005.
3/4/08 - JUST FOUR RACES REMAIN ON DELTA’S 2008 STAKES SCHEDULE
Delta Downs’ 2007-2008 Thoroughbred season will come to a close at the end of this month on March 29 and there are only four stakes races left on the calendar. They include the $100,000 Goddess Stakes for older fillies and mares and the $100,000 Gulf Coast Classic for 4-year-olds and up on March Friday, March 21. Both races are contested at 1-1/16 miles. And the $50,000-added Gardenia Stakes for Louisiana-bred fillies and mares as well as the $50,000-added Cocodrie for 3-year-olds and up will both be held on closing day, Saturday, March 29. Those races are each carded at seven furlongs.
Horsemen need to take note of the nomination closing dates for all four stakes. The Goddess and Gulf Coast Classic nominations close on Thursday, March 6. The Gardenia and Cocodrie each close on Thursday, March 20.
BOURGEOIS BREAKS RECORD; MELANCON ONLY SIX WINS AWAY Keith Bourgeois has won or tied for the leading trainer title at Delta Downs four years in a row. And it looks like he’ll make it five while breaking his own records this time around. The Lafayette, Louisiana resident has already won 75 races this season, breaking the record of 61 victories he set back in the 2003-2004 season. And his earnings total coming into this week of $1,118,815 far outpaces his old mark of $947,525 set just last year.
Gerard Melancon has yet to break any seasonal records at Delta Downs this year but he is getting closer each time he breaks from the starting gate. With 16 days left in the season, Melancon needs just six wins to tie the single-season mark for tallies by a jockey in one Thoroughbred meet. Melancon has notched 115 wins and is chasing Guy Smith and Tracy Hebert for the record. Smith rode 121 wins during the 2004-2005 season, while Hebert tied that mark last year. Melancon became the fourth jockey in Delta Downs’ history to surpass the $2 million mark for mount earnings in a single season earlier this year. His current total of $2,266,050 trails only Hebert for the all-time lead. Hebert amassed $2,415,745 during the 2006-2007 stand.
3/3/08 - Record stakes schedule offered at Evangeline Downs during 2008 spring/summer season
Opelousas, Louisiana –Evangeline Downs will offer horsemen an expanded and beefed up stakes schedule featuring 25 events worth a record $2.015 million, an increase of more than 12% from last year during the upcoming 2008 Spring/Summer meeting that will begin on Wednesday, April 9. The 85-night season will feature the same four evening a week schedule, Wednesday-Saturday thru the traditional closing night of the season, Monday, September 1, Labor Day with a first post time of 6:20 p.m. central.
The stakes schedule features a total of ten events worth $100,000 or more, including the Evangeline Mile on August 16. The “Mile” for three-year-olds and up, annually attracts the best handicap horses from both the mid- and southwest and is the richest race on the calendar with a purse of $200,000. Last year’s renewal was captured by Louisiana bred Costa Rising, who dominated his rivals by double-digits under veteran Kerwin Clark for trainer Glenn Delahoussaye and owner Charles Castille.
State-bred horses are in the spotlight on the fourth edition of Louisiana Legends Night, which features six races with a purse of at least $100,000 and a total of eleven black type events that are worth more than $900,000 on the program which will be held on Friday, July 4.
Three new races appear on the schedule and they include the $75,000 Opelousas Stakes for two-year-old fillies on Saturday, August 30, and a pair of races that are restricted to state-bred three-year-olds, the Salute Stakes for fillies on June 13, and the Acclaim Stakes for colts & geldings on June 14. The Salute Stakes this year honors A Thrill for Jill while the Acclaim Stakes will honor Bet Me Best. Evangeline Downs Racing Secretary Jason Boulet stated “Louisiana Racing, and especially Evangeline Downs has long been a proving ground for two-year-olds, and while we have a three-race program of six-figure events for the colts, the addition of the Opelousas now gives us a similar program for the fillies.” Boulet further stated “The Salute & Acclaim Stakes will each have a purse of $60,000 and will be held three weeks prior to Louisiana Legends Night in order to provide a final lead-in event for those three-year-olds and their connections preparing for their respective Legends Night engagements.”
2008 spring/summer stakes schedule
April 11. $60,000 Inaugural 3yo 6f
April 12. $60,000 Hallowed Dreams 3yof 5 1/2f
April 19. $60,000 John Henry 3&up 1 mile
May 2. $60,000 Need for Speed 3&up 5f
May 3. $60,000 Tellike 3&upf/m 6f
June 13. $60,000 The Salute Stakes 3yof 7f
June 14. $60,000 The Acclaim Stakes 3yo 7f
LOUISIANA LEGENDS NIGHT- JULY 4.
Mervin Muniz Starter 3&up 1m 70yds
Gene Norman Starter 3&upf/m 5f $50,000
Attaway Darbonne Starter 3&up 5f $50,000
B.B “Sixty” Rayburn 3yo 1 mile $75,000
Frank A. “Buddy” Abadie 3yof 1 mile $75,000
Pola Benoit 4yo&up 1 1/16 miles $100,000
J. Archie Sebastien 4yo&upf/m 1m 70yds $100,000
Junius Delahoussaye 3yo&up 5 1/2f $100,000
Pierre Leblanc 3yo&upf/m 5 1/2f $100,000
D.S. “Shine” Young 2yoc&g 5f $100,000added
D.S. “Shine” Young (filly) 2yof 5f $100,000added
LOUISIANA LEGENDS NIGHT- JULY 4.
July 19. $60,000 Oak Hall 3yo&up 7f
July 26. $60,000 Matron 3yo&upf/m 1 mile
Aug 1. $100,000 John Franks Sales (filly) 2yof 6f
Aug 2. $100,000 John Franks Sales (c&g) 2yo 6f
Aug 16. $200,000 Evangeline Mile 3&up 1 mile
Aug 30. $75,000 Opelousas 2yof 6f
Sept 1. $100,000 Lafayette 2yo 6f
3/2/08 - CROOK’S BODGIT AND ALINA WIN SOPHOMORE STAKES AT DELTA DOWNS - IMPRESSIVE PERFORMANCES HIGHLIGHT SATURDAY CARD -
VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs hosted a pair of 3-year-old stakes races on Saturday night with Crook’s Bodgit winning the $75,000 Sportsman’s Paradise and Alina scoring a victory in the Green Oaks. Crook’s Bodgit’s defeated Gangbuster by 2-1/2 lengths with jockey Donald Simington in the saddle. Heresyasign reported home in third, three-quarters of a length behind the top pair. The winner covered the one-mile distance over a fast track in 1:41.84.
Crooks Bodgit is owned by Double Diamond LLC and is conditioned by John D. Barger. The 3-year-old chestnut gelding is by Byars, out of the Captain Bodgit mare Baby Bodgit. He was bred in Texas by Bryon Crook.
Alina’s run in the Green Oaks was ultra impressive as she defeated Seal Jane by an astonishing 18-3/4 lengths with jockey Gerard Melancon in the saddle. Miss Missile, the 3-5 favorite, finished another 2-1/2 lengths behind in third. Alina recorded a rapid time of 1:39.41 for her mile journey.
Alina is owned by Savorthetime Stables LP and is trained by Steve Asmussen. The 3-year-old filly is by Came Home, out of the Sea Hero mare Lady Heroine. She was bred in Kentucky by Glencrest Farm.
3/1/08 - ‘POLY’ AND ‘PROBATION’ SWEEP STAKES - TRAINER STEVE ASMUSSEN WINS FEATURE RACES ON FRIDAY CARD - VINTON, LA. –
Nationally prominent trainer Steve Asmussen sent out the winners of both stakes races at Delta Downs on Friday night. Polyhymnia won the $55,000 Mademoiselle Stakes and Probation Ready scored a victory in the $54,500 Delta Express Stakes.
Polyhymnia’s effort came with leading rider Gerard Melancon in the saddle as the pair pressed the pace before gaining a half-length lead at the wire over High Heritage. Casino Transaction wound up third, another 2-1/4 lengths behind the top two. Polyhymnia covered the five-furlong distance of the Mademoiselle in a time of :58.35 over a track listed as fast. Polyhymnia, who is owned by Little Red Feather Racing and Stonestreet Stables, LLC, was sent off at odds of 7-2 and paid $9.60 to win, $5.80 to place and $4.60 to show.
The Delta Express featured a late rally by Probation Ready with jockey Colby Hernandez in the saddle for Asmussen. Probation ready defeated Sumfun by 1-1/4 lengths with Mystery Classic finishing third another half-length back.
2/26/08 - Only eight stakes races remain on the calendar for the 2007-2008 Thoroughbred Season at Delta Downs.
Two of those events will be held this Friday as the track will offer the $50,000 Mademoiselle Stakes for older fillies and mares and the $50,000 Delta Express Stakes for 4-year-olds and up.
Both races will be run at five furlongs. A total of 29 fillies and mares were nominated to the Mademoiselle Stakes including Roger G. Smith’s Smitty’s Sunshine. The Morris Nicks trainee most recently scored a big win in the $100,000 Louisiana Premier Night Matron on February 2.
The Delta Express nomination list ended with 31 names on it headed by Whispering Oak Farm, LLC’s All Wired Up, who owns four previous stakes wins at Delta Downs. All Wired Up’s most dramatic performance in Vinton, Louisiana came in the Zydeco Stakes on opening night of the current season when he set a new track record of :57.24 for five furlongs.
2/19/08 - DELTA’S STAKES SCHEDULE RESUMES THIS WEEK Although the richest race days of the season have already passed, Delta Downs race fans still have 10 stakes races worth $650,000 to look forward to before the season comes to an end next month.
The next added-money activity will come on Friday night when the track hosts the $50,000 Golden Triangle for older fillies and mares and the $50,000 Delta Mile for 3-year-olds and upward. Both events will be run at eight furlongs.
Some of the top names on the nomination list for the Golden Triangle include Cigar Starter, who recently won the Louisiana Premier Night Ladies’ Starter at Delta Downs on February 2; Kathleens Reel, who scored a big win in the Prime Rewards Stakes in December; Zarb’s Ballerina, who just won the Louisiana Premier Night Distaff three weeks ago; and Miss Atlantic City, who scored a huge win in Boyd Gaming’s $300,000 Delta Princess Stakes in 2006.
Horses to keep your eye on in the Delta Mile include nominees Cozy Time, who won the Lookout Stakes at Delta Downs in December; Z Storm, who was successful in winning the LAPN Gentlemen’s Starter last year; and Magic Sunset, who rallied for victory in this year’s LAPN Championship on February 2.
2/3/08 - LOUISIANA PREMIER NIGHT BRINGS OUT STATE’S BEST HORSES
VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel hosted the fifth running of Louisiana Premier Night on Saturday. The prestigious program featured 10 Louisiana-bred stakes races worth total purse money of $1 million.
The highlight of LAPN was the $200,000 Louisiana Premier Night Championship for older horses going 1-1/6 miles. This year’s edition of the big race was won by Heiligbrodt Racing Stable’s Magic Sunset, who was ridden to victory by Don Simington.
Magic Sunset defeated Z Storm by 1-3/4 lengths with Chip Hunter finishing another ½-length behind the top two in third. Magic Sunset covered the distance over a fast track in 1:46.62.
Trained by James Hudson, Magic Sunset earned $120,000 for his effort, which raised his overall bankroll up to $356,258 on six wins from 26 career starts.
Magic Sunset is a 5-year-old gelding by Mutakddim, out of the Unaccounted For mare Hidden Gem. The chestnut was bred in Louisiana by Jerry R. Adkins.
Sent off as the 4-5 favorite along with entry-mate Hallway, Magic Sunset paid $3.80 to win, $2.60 to place and $2.10 to show. Z Storm returned $5 to place and $3.80 to show. Chip Hunter was worth $4 to show.
In other stakes activity Saturday night it was Zarb’s Ballerina winning the $150,000 LAPN Distaff with jockey Lonnie Meche in the saddle. Zarb’s Ballerina is owned by Triple R Stable and is trained by Danny Whited.
The $125,000 LAPN Starlet was taken by Superior Storm with jockey Robby Albarado aboard for trainer Richard Jackson. Superior Storm is owned by Jac Mac Stable LLC.
The $125,000 LAPN Prince was annexed by Doble Quebrado with rider Cody Meche in the saddle. Doble Quebrado is trained by James Hodges and is owned by Ruben Valdes.
All Wired Up took the $100,000 LAPN Sprint with jockey Joe Patin at the controls. All Wired up is trained by Brandon Marks and is owned by Whispering Oaks Farm LLC.
Smitty’s Sunshine scored a big win in the $100,000 LAPN Matron with jockey Robby Albarado in the saddle. Smitty’s Sunshine is owned by Roger G. Smith and is conditioned by Morris Nicks.
The $55,000 LAPN Ladies Starter was won by Cigar Starter with Cody Meche aboard. Cigar Starter is trained by Brian House and is campaigned by owner Peter T. Barta.
The $55,000 LAPN Gentlemen’s Starter finished in a dead heat with Simma Down and Joe’s Majesty hitting the finish line together. Simma Down was ridden by Colby Hernandez, is trained by Keith Bourgeois and is owned by Robert Asaro Enterprises, Inc. Joe’s Majesty was ridden by Gerard Melancon, is trained by Glen Delahoussaye and is owned by D.L.M. Racing and Darrin and Lawerence Menard.
Choice of Dreams won the $45,000 LAPN Bon Temps Starter with jockey Shane Laviolette in the saddle for trainer Charles Begnaud. Choice of Dreams is owned by Michell Joseph Domingue.
And finally the $45,000 LAPN Ragin Cajun Starter was won by Mt. Ree Tah with jockey Colby Hernandez at the helm. Mt. Ree Tah is conditioned by Keith Bourgeois and is owned by KAT Racing Stable.
2/1/08 - PREMIER NIGHT NEWS Heiligbrodt entry tops Championship
Delta Downs
By MARY RAMPELLINI
With divisional standout Costa Rising sidelined until the spring, Saturday night's $200,000 Premier Night Championship at Delta Downs will require more in-depth handicapping. There are 10 well-matched older Louisiana-breds to sort through, led by the Heiligbrodt Racing Stable-owned entry of Magic Sunset and Hallway.
The Championship, at 1 1/16 miles, is the richest of six Louisiana-bred stakes on the annual Premier Night program. There also are four statebred starter races on the card for total purses of $1 million.
The entry could go favored. Magic Sunset is based at Delta, where in his last start he had a wide trip and finished second by a half-length in the $58,000 Cypress. The seven-furlong race was run around two turns, and Magic Sunset, after breaking last from the rail, closed from well back. He earned a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 92.
"Our racing luck wasn't the best, but he came up and finished second and showed a lot of courage getting there," said Jim Hudson, who trains Magic Sunset. "His biggest asset is his heart. He tries hard every race."
Hudson likes the move to 1o1/16 miles for Magic Sunset. The last time the horse raced at the distance, he was third in the $100,000 Gold Cup at Delta on Nov. 17, beaten four lengths by Costa Rising.
Hallway ran second to Costa Rising in the $150,000 Louisiana Champions Day Classic at Fair Grounds Dec. 8. Costa Rising won by 15 lengths that afternoon and has since been sidelined. Hallway, meanwhile, moved back to turf and was beaten a neck in the $60,000 Dixie Poker Ace at Fair Grounds on Jan. 5.
"He ran excellent last time," said Steve Asmussen, who trains Hallway. "He was second in the turf stakes. He's versatile in that regard, surface-wise."
Hallway, to be ridden by Shaun Bridgmohan, and Magic Sunset, with Don Simington, are both closers.
Willist comes into the Championship off a pair of turf stakes wins, the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Turf and the Dixie Poker Ace. Willist also is a multiple winner on dirt. He will break from post 10 under Miguel Mena.
"He likes to be right close to the pace," said Kelly Broussard, who trains Willist.
Nicks saddles two good ones
Trainer Morris Nicks has the possible favorite in each of the card's two stakes for fillies and mares. He will send out multiple stakes winner Smitty's Sunshine in the $100,000 Matron at five furlongs, while Tensas Yucatan goes to bat for him in the $150,000 Distaff at a mile. Both will be ridden by Robby Albarado.
Tensas Yucatan is moving back to dirt following a dominant allowance win on turf at Fair Grounds. She is a multiple stakes winner on the grass and has placed in three dirt stakes.
"We're going to give her another shot on the dirt," Nicks said. "I think this filly's a lot better on turf, but she's run some good races on the dirt."
Tensas Yucatan's last dirt race came Dec. 8, when she was second in the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Ladies at Fair Grounds. She finished in front of a number of the rivals she meets Saturday.
Smitty's Sunshine is making a rare appearance on dirt and in the Louisiana-bred ranks. A multiple stakes winner, she last raced on the main track in July and won the off-the-turf $100,000 Distaff Sprint at Calder.
* In the $125,000 Prince for 3-year-olds at seven furlongs, the undefeated Erlroy and 11-length maiden winner Bluehard will make their stakes debuts against Cubera. Cubera is a stakes winner at Fair Grounds who also has a seven-furlong allowance win at Delta.
* Superior Storm, T C's Charmer, and Hisse appear to be the top contenders in the $125,000 Starlet.
* All Wired Up returns to Delta, where he is 5 for 6, for the $100,000 Sprint.
2/1/08 - PREMIER NIGHT NEWS Turf specialists switch to Delta dirt
Delta Downs
By MARY RAMPELLINI
Desert Wheat, Willist, Smitty's Sunshine, and Tensas Yucatan, all multiple stakes winners on turf, will test their skills on dirt Saturday night in the $1 million Louisiana Premier Night program at Delta Downs.
Delta, which does not have a turf course, is running six six-figure stakes for Louisiana-breds on Premier Night. There are also four statebred starter races on the card for total purses of $1 million. The rich night has lured Desert Wheat, Willist, Smitty's Sunshine, and Tensas Yucatan in from Fair Grounds.
Desert Wheat and Willist were among the 10 older horses entered Wednesday morning in the $200,000 Championship, a 1 1/16-mile race that serves as Saturday night's main event. Willist won the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Turf in December, and the $60,000 Dixie Poker Ace in January, both on turf at Fair Grounds. Miguel Mena has the mount on Willist, a two-time winner on dirt, for trainer Kelly Broussard.
Desert Wheat, whose seven career starts have all come on turf, closed from well back to finish a close fourth last out in the Dixie Poker Ace. Bill Mott, the trainer of Desert Wheat, will be making his second Delta appearance of the meet. In December, Mott sent out Z Humor to a dead-heat win in the Grade 3, $1 million Delta Jackpot. Corey Lanerie will ride Desert Wheat.
Smitty's Sunshine, who won an off-the-turf stakes at Calder in July, goes in the $100,000 Matron for fillies and mares at five furlongs. Her stablemate, Tensas Yucatan, a two-time winner on dirt, will run in the $150,000 Distaff for fillies and mares at a mile. Morris Nicks trains both horses.
1/18/08 - GENESIS AND TRIPLE SEC STAKES HIGHLIGHT FRIDAY CARD - VINTON, LA. – Miss Missile won her second stakes race of the season at Delta Downs on Friday night as she took the $55,000 Genesis Stakes after scoring a decisive victory in the $100,000 My Trusty Cat on November 9.
Miss Missile was ridden to victory by jockey Diego Saenze, who had to work hard in the final strides to keep his mount in front of a fast closing Eagle’s Song, who rallied for second and only lost by a neck. Sky Mom hit the finish line another 6-3/4 lengths behind the top pair in third. Miss Missile handled a muddy track well by recording a time of 1:28 for seven furlongs.
Miss Missile is owned and trainer by Charles Edwin Smith.
In the other stakes race on Friday night it was Prince Cortez who kept his career record perfect at three wins in as many starts by taking the $53,000 Triple Sec Stakes over Crook’s Bodgit by two lengths under jockey Gerard Melancon. Take the Money finished another 4-1/4 lengths behind in third. Prince Cortez recorded a final time of 1:27 second for the seven furlongs over the mud in the Triple Sec. Prince Cortez is owned by Casa Farms I, LLC and is conditioned by Thomas Amoss.
1/15/08 - THE STAKES SCHEDULE RESUMES THIS WEEK AT DELTA DOWNS
After a short hiatus, Delta Downs stakes schedule will heat up again this Friday, January 18 when the track hosts the $50,000 Genesis and the $50,000 Triple Sec Stakes. The Genesis is a seven furlong test for 3-year-old fillies. The Triple Sec is for sophomore runners also competing at seven panels. The Genesis Stakes will likely see a rematch between Miss Missile Sky Mom. Both fillies participated in the $300,000 Delta Princess Stakes Powered by Youbet.com on Dec. 7. Miss Missile finished second in that race with Sky Mom winding up sixth as one of the favorites.
The Triple Sec could see the return of Delta Jackpot participant Take The Money. The Steve Asmussen trainee finished third in the Jean Lafitte Stakes at Delta Downs in November before placing ninth in the $1 million Jackpot in early December.
LAPN JUST AROUND THE CORNER Another edition of Louisiana Premier Night is only a few weeks away. The all-stakes program for Louisiana-bred runners will take place on Saturday, February 2. Louisiana Premier Night is a showcase of state-bred talent that includes total purse money of $1 million.
The highlight event on LAPN is the $200,000 Louisiana Premier Night Championship, which has been won by such stars as Walk in the Snow, Spritely Walker, Nitro Chip and Costa Rising. Post time for Louisiana Premier Night is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. (CST).
1/5/08 -FASS FEAT AND AHEAD OF HER TIME SCORE STAKES WINS AT DELTA DOWNS
- LOUISIANA-BREDS HIGHLIGHT SATURDAY PROGRAM -
VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel hosted a pair of stakes events on Saturday night that included the $60,000 Cypress Stakes, won by Fass Feat, and the $60,000 Camelia Stakes, taken by Ahead of Her Time. Both races were contested at seven furlongs
Fass Feat’s victory came after he garnered the lead around the second turn with jockey Kerwin Clark in the saddle. The Emile Schwandt trainee defeated Southern Banner by ½-length with Z Storm finishing third another ¾ of a length behind the top two.
Fass Feat, who is campaigned by owner P and L Racing Stable, Inc., covered the distance over a fast track in 1:26.07.
The victory by Fass Feat was his sixth from 10 career starts. The 5-year-old gelded son of Placid Fund, out of the Bayou Hebert mare Lucky Bayou, earned $36,000 for his effort. The paycheck raised his overall bankroll to $260,820.
Ahead of Her Time’s score came in more dominant fashion as she won the Camelia by an astounding 10-3/4 lengths with jockey Shaun Bridgmohan in the saddle. The Steve Asmussen trainee defeated Southern Banner, who finished second, and Zarb’s Ballerina, who hit the finish line another neck back in third.
Ahead of Her Time ran the seven panels in a time of 1:26.62.
Ahead of Her Time now has seven wins in only nine career starts. The 4-year-old filly by Leestown, out of the Dixie Brass mare Street Beat earned $36,000 on Saturday night, which increased her lifetime earnings to $340,100.
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