Stakes Sextet Highlights Saturday’s Louisiana Legends Night At Evangeline

A pair of recent stakes winners highlight the entries for Louisiana Legends Night at Evangeline Downs Saturday night. The celebration of Louisiana-bred Thoroughbreds will feature six $70,000 stakes races on the nine-race card. A total of 52 runners were entered in the stakes races, and the card also features a Louisiana-bred 2-year-old race.

The $70,000 Soiree is the first stakes on the card and tests a field of five 3-year-old fillies going one mile on the turf. The 8/5 morning line favorite Winning Romance is a recent stakes runner-up from the barn of W. Bret Calhoun. Cilla, a graded-stakes placed filly from the barn of Brett Brinkman, is the second choice at 9/5.

The $70,000 Cheval, for 3-year-olds at a mile on the turf, brings together a competitive field of 10 runners. Beauregard is one of three entrants riding multiple-race winning streaks into the contest. After losing his dam shortly after birth, the gritty gelding was raised by a nurse mare named Hope. He reeled off three straight victories at Will Rogers Downs and will run for his breeders Southern Legacy Thoroughbreds and trainer Karl Broberg. The morning line favorite Unanimously, a Steve Asmussen trainee, enters after facing a tough stakes field at Oaklawn Park in his last start.

A solid field of ten will contest the $70,000 Spring over the 5-1/2 furlong distance. This field has combined to produce 28 wins over the Evangeline Downs surface, and looks to be a fantastic wagering event. Monte Man drew the attention of the morning line maker as the 9-5 favorite, but defending champ Laughingsaintsong, and Bertie's Galaxy among others, should have a say in the outcome. Born Again George brings a resume with eight local wins to the affair, and Wild Bert is an ultra-consistent runner.

The $70,000 Turf Distaff at one mile on the turf for 3-year-olds and up, fillies and mares, is another competitive bunch. One could make a case for a handful to have been the morning line favorite, with that nod going to Net a Bear, listed at 9-5. The Allen Landry trainee will have the services of Tim Thornton, and must overcome an outside post draw. Net a Bear was a fast closing second in her last turf effort and will look to turn the tables on Offspring, who bested her on that day. Listed as the second choice at 5-2, Offspring has been absent from the races since that March event. Distractor Factor, runner-up in the Evangeline Downs Distaff, is another that should draw attention at the mutuel windows.

The winner of the Evangeline Downs Distaff, Snowball, leads the entries for the $70,000 Mademoiselle. The race for fillies and mares over 5-1/2 furlongs will attempt to display the versatility of the defending champ. Sam Breaux trains and Tim Thornton will be in the saddle. Southern Beauty brings a two-race winning streak into the race, and Saints N Muskets will try reverse her fortunes after being defeated in the Distaff three weeks ago.

The $70,000 Turf closes out the stakes action on the card with recent Classic winner Treys Midnite Moon listed as the morning line favorite. Tim Thornton will handle the reigns for trainer Corale 'Bunky' Richards in the one-mile race. A pair of the rivals trying to turn the tables from the result in the Classic are Grand Luwegee and Mageez. Trained by Gerard Perron and piloted by Diego Saenz, Grand Luwegee led until deep stretch in the Classic and should have his speed on display once again. Mageez, trained by Delmar Caldwell, will have Ashley Broussard in the irons after finishing a hard-charging third at 40-1 in the Classic.

The Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association will be awarding two $1,000 scholarships during the evening. Students are encouraged to attend the races and enter the drawing, with the winners to be selected after the fifth race. First post time for the nine-race card Saturday will be 6:00pm Central Time. The Belmont Stakes card, and many other simulcast options, will provide plenty of action for wagering leading into Legends Night.

For more information on racing at Evangeline Downs, visit the track's website at www.evdracing.com and on Twitter @evdracing. Racing continues on a Wednesday thru Saturday schedule until the end of the meet on September 18.

Evangeline Downs Racetrack Casino and Hotel, a property of Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE:BYD), features exciting casino action, live horse racing and fun dining experiences. Evangeline Downs is located in Opelousas, Louisiana, off I-49 on Cresswell Lane at Exit 18.

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Freshman El Deal Gets First Winner at Santa Anita

2nd-Santa Anita, $64,562, Msw, 5-21, 2yo, f, 4 1/2f, :53.12, ft, 5 1/2 lengths.
ROYAL O'HAIGAIN (f, 2, El Deal–Dreaming of Susie {GSP}, by Cowtown Cat) posted a blazing :34 flat bullet (1/33) at Santa Anita May 17, prompting her to be backed down to 4-5 favoritism for this unveiling. Quickly to the front, the Louisiana-bred was given the go-ahead after Alexis Centeno took a quick peek under his right arm nearing the quarter pole and spurted clear turning for home. Moving with purpose from there, the bay crossed the wire a geared-down 5 1/2-length winner over Harddiane (Hard Spun). With the victory, Royal O'Haigain gave her sire GI Alfred G. Vanderbilt H. winner El Deal (by Munnings) his first career winner. Sales history: $14,000 Ylg '20 FTKFEB; $35,000 Ylg '20 FTKOCT; $47,000 RNA 2yo '21 OBSMAR. Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $36,600. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.
O-L. N. M. Three Company, Pappas Horse Racing Corp. & Charles Bartlett; B-Cloyce C. Clark (LA); T-Luis Mendez.

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Grade 1 Winner No Parole Tries Turf Saturday At Fair Grounds

A robust field-of-14 is entered for Saturday's $100,000 Costa Rising for Louisiana-breds going 5 ½ furlongs on the turf at the Fair Grounds, though only one rates as a Grade 1 winner. While Maggie Moss and Greg Tramontin's No Parole will be making his turf debut, that won't keep bettors from sending it in with both hands on a blazing fast runner who reached racing's highest level last year.

No Parole (post 2 as Mike Diliberto's 8-5 morning line favorite, with Luis Saez to ride) was one of the best 3-year-old sprinters in the country in 2020 for trainer Tom Amoss. He ran with the best one-turn horses in training in a campaign highlighted by a win in Belmont Park's Woody Stephens (G1) in June. The son of Violence was off-the-board in a pair of graded stakes to end his sophomore campaign and Amoss backed off, regrouped, and found a soft return spot February 10, when No Parole won the Premier Sprint with ease at Delta Downs. Amoss got what he wanted at Delta, and is looking forward to trying No Parole over the Stall-Wilson.

“The comeback race was a good race, but it was obviously the stepping stone,” Amoss said. “So, what makes us all of a sudden try the grass with a horse who has never been on the grass? Timing is one thing, the purse is another thing, but more important than those two things, pedigree.”

No Parole is out of the Bluegrass Cat mare Plus One, who won the Alison McClay over the turf at Penn National in 2012, and is a full-brother to recent local turf winner Violent Ways, another talented state-bred who is 4-for-7 lifetime. With a strong pedigree, especially for a Louisiana-bred, Amoss knows that a turf stakes win would add a lot of No Parole's stallion potential.

“There's a lot to see in that female side of the family in terms of being able to sprint on the grass,” Amoss said. “With that kind of evidence out there, this was a very logical race for us before we leave Fair Grounds. If it doesn't work, it's horse racing, a lot of what you try doesn't work.”

Trainer Ron Faucheux will start an uncoupled quartet, with Ivery Sisters Racing's Monte Man (post 6 at 5-1 with Adam Beschizza) leading the way. The 8-year-old son of Custom for Carlos is an eight-time stakes winner who has won the Costa Rising the past two years and is 3-for-4 over the Stall-Wilson. Monte Man enters off a February 26 optional-claiming win over the course and distance, is 17-for-45 lifetime, and clearly represents the main danger to the favorite.

Lane Cortez's Afleet Ascent (post 8 at 12-1 with John Velazquez), a 6-year-old son of Northern Afleet, was second going long in the Louisiana Champions Day Turf here in December for Faucheux, who also runs Picard Thoroughbred Racing Stable's Fame Feather (post 12 at 12-1 with Florent Geroux), a stretch runner who is 4-for-11 over the course, and Allen Cassedy's Bertie's Galaxy (post 14 at 8-1 with Irad Ortiz Jr.), who has been in three exacta in 11-of-16 lifetime starts, though he's just 1-for-2 on turf.

Completing the Costa Rising field from the rail out: Robin Lane Thoroughbreds' Future Ruler (30-1 with Aubrie Green), who is 5-for-24 lifetime but has lost seven straight for trainer Lee Thomas; Richard Benton's Silver Galaxy (post 3 at 30-1 with Gabriel Saez), who enters off a deep-closing February 19 allowance win here on the dirt but winless in one turf start for trainer Joey Foster; owner-trainer Gerard Perron's homebred Grand Luwegee (post 4 at 12-1 with Roberto Morales), who upset the Louisiana Champions Day Classic on dirt here in December but is 0-for-3 on turf; Set-Hut's X Clown (post 5 at 12-1), a close third to Monte Man last time for trainer Jerry Delhomme; Farm d'Allie Racing Stable's Win Lion Win (post 7 at 20-1 with Eddie Martin Jr.), unraced since running ninth in Keeneland's October 3 Woodford (G2) for trainer Allison Ramsay-Banks; Columbus Circle Partners and trainer Steve Margolis' Yankee Seven (post 9 at 10-1 with Brian Hernandez Jr.), third in the Costa Rising last year; Valene Farms' Classy John (post 10 at 12-1 with Colby Hernandez), second, beaten a head, to Monte Man last time for trainer Dallas Stewart; Lorlow Stables' homebred Bootsie's Galaxy (post 11 at 15-1 with Marcelino Pedroza), fourth to Monte Man last time for trainer Sam David); and Larry and Katherine Menard's homebred A Song for Arch (post 13 at 20-1 with Mitchell Murrill), who won a state-bred optional-claimer two-back for trainer Brett Brinkman.

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Full Fields Set For Louisiana Cup Day; Stakes Purses Increased 25 Percent To $50,000

Full fields are set for Louisiana Cup Day at Harrah's Louisiana Downs on Saturday, September 19. First post is 3:05 pm (Central) for the eight-race card which will feature six stakes for accredited Louisiana-breds. Originally announced to run as $40,000, each of the stakes will now have a purse of $50,000 with full fields set throughout the card.

Stakes action gets underway in the second race, the $50,000 Louisiana Cup Juvenile Fillies. A very competitive field of 12 accredited 2-year-old Louisiana-bred fillies will vie six furlongs.

Five competitors from the filly's division of the $60,000 D.S. “Shine” Young Futurity on August 29 at Evangeline Downs are entered, including Larry Romero and Ron Faucheux's Mirabeau. The daughter of Bind out of the Speightstown mare, Smittystown, was bred by J. Adcock and Nathan Granger and is trained by Faucheux. She was a commanding ten-length winner, covering 5 ½ furlongs in 1:04.90 for her third victory in four career starts. The talented filly, who has been installed as the 3-2 morning-line favorite, will reunite with rider Diego Saenz.

“I wasn't too sure about running her back so quickly,” admitted Faucheux. “But there is a nice gap between this stakes and Louisiana Champions Day (in December at Fair Grounds). She is so classy and mature for her age; we're looking forward to it.”

Other contenders include Laurence Jones' Squox and Mamas Gone Crazy, owned and trained by Carl DeVille, who ran second and third, respectively, behind Mirabeau. Another filly to watch is Rue Lala, breaking her maiden impressively here on September 5 for owners Spendthrift Farm LLC and William and Corinne Heiligbrodt. The daughter of Star Guitar, who is trained by Steve Asmussen, won by 7 ¾ lengths under leading Louisiana Downs rider Joel Dominguez, who will be back in the saddle on Saturday.

Louisiana native Faucheux, who has been training since 2009, has runners in five of the six Louisiana Cup Day stakes.

“These state-bred stakes days are so important for Louisiana racing,” he added. “Everyone has gone through so much this year with the pandemic, delayed race days and hurricanes! Hats off to David Heitzmann and LTBA for pushing for Louisiana Cup Day. My owners are pleased with the purse increase to $50,000; we are ready and will be bringing a full crew up on Saturday.”

The fourth race of the afternoon is the $50,000 Louisiana Cup Juvenile for Louisiana-bred 2-year-old colts and geldings. A field of 13 will compete at six furlongs on the main track.

Allen Landry owns and trains Chu Chu's Legacy, a son of Bind, who won the $60,000 D.S. “Shine” Young Futurity division for colts and geldings. Bred in Louisiana by J. Adcock and Hume Warnell, he drew off to a four length victory on August 29, which was his second victory in three lifetime starts. The 2-1 choice boasts career earnings of $60,800. Landry will give a leg up to rider Tim Thornton, who has guided the dark bay colt to his last two victories.

“He's been doing so well, there was no reason not to run him,” Landry said of wheeling back in three weeks. “In his first start (on July 18), he got shuffled back, but made up ground. In the “Shine”, he was pressured the whole way, but drew clear on his own.”

Schnell, G'wildcat and Jimmy Two Times, who ran second, third and fifth in the “Shine” Futurity will also return to action. Schnell, a colt by Star Guitar is owned by Kaleem Shah, Inc., will make his fourth career start for Faucheux. He competed in the Grade 2, Best Pal at Del Mar on August 8, where he finished fifth.

The field also includes Von Dom, owned by Gulf Coast Stables, LLC, who won his debut at Evangeline Downs on July 30 for trainer William Meaux; Lt Bonura, who romped to a nine-length score here on August 12 for trainer Mike Stidham and Ready for Love, a half-brother to Our Lost Love, 2019 LTBA champion 2-year-old Filly.

Post time for the Louisiana Cup Juvenile will be 4:26 pm (Central).

Twelve accredited Louisiana-bred fillies and mares will take to the Franks Turf Course for the $50,000 Louisiana Cup Distaff.

Is Too, a 5-year-old daughter of Midshipman, was bred by J. Adcock and Montgomery Training Center. Owned by Baronne Farms LLC, the chestnut mare has won six of her 21 starts for trainer Edward Johnston. She surged past her six rivals in last year's edition of the stakes, but will be tested by several stakes winners on Saturday at odds of 7-2. Diego Saenz has the call aboard the talented mare, who drew post position two in the mile and one-sixteenth stakes.

“She's doing well,” said Johnston. “That's a good post for her; she likes the rail.”

Room to Finish has been installed as the 5-2 morning line favorite and will break from the rail under jockey Gerardo Mora. The 5-year-old daughter of Giant Oak was bred by Mike Meeks and is owned by Westpoint Thoroughbreds, Forge Ahead Stables and Jerry Caroom. She has earned $224,105 in 18 efforts. This will be her first start at Louisiana Downs; she ships in off a turf allowance victory on August 5 at Arlington Park.

“She's a very consistent mare,” stated trainer Wayne Catalano. “She ran second in her first two starts at Del Mar before we got her. I'm happier with her rail draw, versus the far outside.”

That far outside post belongs to multiple stakes winner Mariah's Galaxy, trained by Victor Arceneaux and owned by Riley Blanchet and Todd Matte. Regular pilot Kevin Smith has the call aboard the 6-year-old mare sired by Greeley's Galaxy. She is the high earner in the field with $420,985 banked in 27 starts. Bred by Margie K. Averett, the winner of five career stakes will also be making her debut at Louisiana Downs.

The contentious field also includes Net A Bear, a 4-year-old filly by Awesome Bet owned by Maximo Lamarche and Federico Deltoro. She is also a multiple-stakes winner for breeder Lora Pitre with victories in the 2019 Elge Rasberry at Louisiana Downs and Louisiana Champions Day Turf at Fair Grounds. Trainer Allen Landry will give a leg up to Tim Thornton. Stakes winners Yes Gorgeous and Vacherie Girl are also among the contenders in the Louisiana Cup Distaff, which will run as the fifth race on the card.

The $50,000 Louisiana Filly and Mare Sprint is another Louisiana Cup Day feature that attracted a highly competitive group of distaffers competing at the distance of six furlongs.

Our Lost Love will seek her third stakes win for trainer Joey Foster. Bred and owned by Tri-Star Racing LLC, the 3-year-old daughter of Half Ours has already eclipsed the $200,000 earnings mark with five wins from nine starts. The talented filly broke her maiden at Louisiana Downs last September and won her first stakes, the $93,700 Louisiana Futurity on December 29 at Fair Grounds. Two months later, she added a victory in the $70,000 Take Charge Brandi at Delta Downs. On August 8, she made easy work of her rivals, winning a five-furlong turf sprint here in :57.35 seconds. Carlos Lozada has the return call on the dark bay filly at odds of 7-2.

“She's a very special filly and we are thrilled that Louisiana Cup Day will take place this year after so many challenges,” said Foster. “I am very happy with her draw; really wanted an outside post.”

Tin Roof Farms LLC's Snowball, a 4-year-old daughter of Apriority, won her last two races at Evangeline Downs, including the $60,000 Louisiana Legends Mademoiselle Stakes on July 4. Trained by Samuel Breaux, the gray filly will break from post position three with Diego Saenz in the saddle. Bred by 4M Ranch, Snowball made one previous start at Louisiana Downs in 2019, running fourth in the Elge Rasberry, which was run at a mile on the turf.

“She's turned into a sprinter and is definitely on top of her game,” said Breaux. “We gave her a work (on September 9) in Opelousas and she is ready.”

Trainer Ron Faucheux looks for a good effort from Play Unified, a 7-year-old mare by Exchange Rate, who has earned $324,737. Erica Murray has the mount and will break from post position 13.

“She's very sound,” he said. “She can be her own worst enemy; sometimes being too fractious in the gate, but she is very talented.”

The $50,000 Louisiana Turf Cup Classic attracted thirteen runners going a mile and one-sixteenth over the Franks Turf Course. Several proven turf stakes winners are entered with a firm turf course expected for Saturday afternoon.

Sydster, a 3-year-old son of Power Broker, has won three of his six starts for owner Baronne Farms LLC. Bred by J. Adcock & Montgomery Equine Center, he broke his maiden last December and won the $75,000 Crescent City Derby on February 17. He ran second on July 4 in the Louisiana Legends Cheval Stakes at Evangeline Downs.

“He's a young horse,” admitted Johnston. “He'll be running against older horses for the first time, but I know he will like the nice sweeping Louisiana Downs turf course. Diego knows him well; he'll put him in a good spot.”

In the Navy, owned by Kendel D. Standlee, won the 2018 edition of the race and finished second last year for trainer Scott Gelner. The 6-year-old son of Midshipman will be ridden by Alexander Castillo and will be making his 33rd career start. His last appearance in the winner's circle came one year ago here at Louisiana Downs when he won the Frank L. Brothers Stakes.

“I've only been able to run him once this summer with so many races forced off the turf,” said Gelner. “He's just a great turf horse and I am proud of the fact that he has won on each of the Louisiana turf courses.”

Other contenders include Snake Racing LLC's Treys Midnite Moon, who has won nine of his 34 starts for trainer Corale Richards. Rider Devin Magnon has the call on the 5-year-old son of Neko Bay. Budro Talking has an excellent turf record for owner Jack Randall and has won five of his eight Louisiana Downs starts. Joel Dominguez will ride the 5-year-old son of Tale of Ekati for trainer Keith Austin.

The final stakes on Saturday's card is the $50,000 Louisiana Sprint which also drew an exceptional field, including two past champions, going six furlongs on the main track.

Rodney Verret's Laughingsaintssong, a 6-year-old gelding bred by J.E. Jumonville and his wife, Bunny, who own one of the top Quarter Horse farms in Louisiana. They own a Vindication mare Laughing Saint and bred her to Grade 1 winner Songandaprayer. He boasts a record of ten wins and earnings of $363,010 and exits a confident victory in the $60,000 Louisiana Legends Sprint at Evangeline Downs on July 4. Tim Thornton rode the bay gelding and will ride him in his 27th start this Saturday for conditioner Allen Landry.

“He's a war horse,” stated Landry. “He ran a great race at Evangeline Downs and has been training very well. He's fired up and ready to defend his title!”

Monte Man, the pride and joy of Ivery Sisters Racing, won the 2018 Louisiana Cup Sprint and will be in pursuit of his 16th career victory on Saturday afternoon. Claimed for $25,000 in October, 2017, bay gelded son of Custom For Carlos was sent to Faucheux in Louisiana and reeled off seven wins in a row. Five of the victories were black-type stakes and he was honored as 2018 Louisiana Bred Horse of the Year. Bred by Val C. Murrell. Monte Man has banked $610,923 and is still going strong as a 7-year-old. Jockey Gerard Melancon has the call on the 9-2 second choice.

“We love this horse,” said Faucheux. “Drawing outside suits him and he ran a really good allowance race, in hand, to prep for this. His numbers might suggest that he is not as good as he has been in the past, but he's still got a lot of fight in him.”

The field also includes Bertie's Galaxy, also trained by Faucheux and 2019 Louisiana Cup Juvenile winner Scotty Boy from the barn of Ronnie Ward.

Post time for the Louisiana Cup Sprint, which runs as the final race on the card, is 6:15 pm.

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