Laurel Park Releases Winter Stakes Schedule Worth $2.65 Million

Laurel Park announced a $2.65 million winter stakes schedule Wednesday highlighted by the $250,000 General George (G3), $250,000 Runhappy Barbara Fritchie (G3), and 'Win and In' races for the Preakness (G1) and Black-Eyed Susan (G2).

Laurel's winter stakes schedule will also include two new stakes races – the $100,000 Spectacular Bid for 3-year-olds at seven furlongs and the $100,000 Xtra Heat for 3-year-old fillies at six furlongs. The $75,000 Not For Love and $75,000 Conniver for Maryland-bred/sired horses, not raced earlier this year due to Covid restrictions, will return March 13.

“We're optimistic about our winter racing season and believe this stakes schedule will provide us with some big weekends and a lot of strong cards and competitive races,” said Sal Sinatra, President and General Manager of the Maryland Jockey Club.

The Spectacular Bid and Xtra Heat kick off the first big weekend of the winter at Laurel. Both races will be held Saturday, Jan. 16 along with the $100,000 What a Summer, and $100,000 Fire Plug along with two races for Maryland bred/sired horses – the $75,000 Geisha and $75,000 Jennings.

The annual Winter Carnival will be held Feb. 13 highlighted by the General George for 4-year-olds and up and Runhappy Barbara Fritchie for fillies and mares. Stakes will also include the $100,000 Wide Country for 3-year-olds and the $100,000 John Campbell and $100,000 Nellie Morse for older horses.

Along with the Conniver and Not For Love, the March 13 program will feature the Private Terms, Harrison Johnson and Beyond the Wire.

The April 17 program will feature several key events, including the $125,000 Tesio, a 'Win & In' for Triple Crown nominated horses to the Preakness and the $125,000 Weber City, a 'Win & In' for the Black-Eyed Susan. The card will also feature the $100,000 Dahlia, $100,000 Henry Clark and $100,000 King Leatherbury, also run on the turf, and the $100,000 Frank Whiteley and $100,000 Primonetta.

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Lone Star Park Releases 2021 Stakes Schedule Worth $2.2 Million

After coming off of the highest average Thoroughbred export handle per day in its history in 2020, Grand Prairie, Lone Star Park is looking forward to 2021.

The Thoroughbred Racing Season at the Grand Prairie, Tx. will begin Thursday, April 22, 2021, will have more live racing days with 48 when compared with the 41 in 2018, the 44 in the 2019 season and the 37 in 2020. The meeting will conclude July 11. The calendar features live racing every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 2:35 p.m., select Thursdays at 6:35 p.m. and select Mondays at 2:35 p.m. Special Triple Crown post times of 1:35 p.m. and a July 4 twilight post time of 5:00 p.m. will round out the schedule.

The 2021 Thoroughbred Racing Season Stakes Schedule will run a total of 20 stakes worth a combined total of $2,225,000. At the top of the schedule is the Grade 3, $400,000 guaranteed Steve Sexton Mile, for 3-yr-olds & up at one mile, the New $300,000 guaranteed Texas Derby for 3-yr-olds at one and one sixteenth miles (plus up to $100,000 for Texas-breds), The $200,000 guaranteed Ouija Board Distaff for fillies & mares, 3-yr-olds & up at one mile on turf, the New Chamberlain Bridge Stakes at a guaranteed $100,000 for 3-yr-olds & up going five furlongs on the turf, and the New Memorial Day Sprint for fillies & mares, 3-yr-olds & up at six furlongs worth a guaranteed $100,000. The above mentioned stakes are all to take place on Memorial Day, May 31 as we revive Lone Star Million Day, which was last held in 2011.

Other than the $75,000 Bluebonnet Stakes which kicks off the season on Opening Night all other stakes will be held on one of four dates. They are:

  • Lone Star Million Day, Monday, May 31 – five stakes worth a total of $1,100,000
  • Lone Star Showcase Day, Sunday, June 13 – five stakes worth a total of $350,000
  • New Summer Turf Festival, Sunday, June 27 – four stakes worth a total of $300,000
  • Stars of Texas Day, Saturday, July 10 – five stakes worth a total of $400,000.

The 2021 Thoroughbred Racing Season Stakes Schedule can be found at: https://www.lonestarpark.com/stakes-schedule/

Purse levels will average an estimated $252,000 per day with maiden races at an estimated $36,000. The daily purses with added stakes should attract more well-known horsemen with top-notch stables.

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Golden Gate Fields Releases Fall Stakes Schedule Highlighted By Nov. 28 Berkeley Handicap

The 32-day 2020 Fall Meet at Golden Gate Fields begins Thursday, Oct. 22, and runs through Sunday, Dec. 13. For the first seven days of the meeting, first post is slated for 1:15 PM. Beginning Sunday, Nov. 1, post time for the first race moves to 12:45 PM.

Ten stakes races are spread throughout the eight-week season, beginning on Oct. 31 with the Pike Place Dancer at one mile on turf for 2-year-old fillies. On Nov. 1, the El Dorado Stakes calls attention to California-bred or California-sired sprinters at six furlongs on the Tapeta main track.

The Pike Place Dancer is one of four stakes races for 2-year-olds. On Saturday, Nov. 14, freshman sprinters journey six furlongs in the Golden Nugget. The fillies get their chance to shine two weeks later in the six-furlong Golden Gate Debutante on Nov. 27. The Gold Rush, a one-mile event on Saturday, Dec. 5, rounds out the 2-year-old Fall Meet stakes series.

The Joseph T. Grace, at one mile and a sixteenth on turf, is one of two stakes' for routers 3-years-old and upward. Horses who compete in the Nov. 7 Joseph T. Grace may also try their hand in the premier race of the meeting, the $100,000 Grade 3 Berkeley Handicap, at one mile and a sixteenth on Tapeta. The Grade 3 Berkeley is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 28, two days after Thanksgiving.

The six-furlong Oakland Stakes, for 3-year-olds and upward on Saturday, Nov. 21, shines light on top-quality Bay Area sprinters. Two stakes races highlight closing weekend: the six-furlong Bear Fan for California-bred or California-sired fillies and mares on Saturday, Dec. 12, and the Miss America on Closing Day Sunday, Dec. 13, for fillies and mares at one-mile and a sixteenth on turf.

For additional info or to nominate to a stake, please contact Golden Gate Fields Stakes Coordinator Lisa Jones by phone at (626) 388-8062 or by e-mail at lisnpac12@hotmail.com.

FALL 2020 STAKES SCHEDULE

Saturday, Oct. 31: The $75,000 Pike Place Dancer Stakes (2-year-old filles at one mile on turf)

Sunday, Nov. 1: The $75,000 El Dorado Shooter Stakes (California-bred or California-sired 3-year-olds and upward at six furlongs on Tapeta)

Saturday, Nov. 7: The $50,000 Joseph T. Grace Stakes (3-year-olds and upward at one mile and a sixteenth on turf)

Saturday, Nov. 14: The $50,000 Golden Nugget Stakes (2-year-olds at six furlongs on Tapeta)

Saturday, Nov. 21: The $50,000 Oakland Stakes (3-year-olds and upward at six furlongs on Tapeta)

Friday, Nov. 27: The $50,000 Golden Gate Debutante 2-year-olds at six furlongs on Tapeta)

Saturday, Nov. 28: The Grade 3 $100,000 Berkeley Handicap (3-year-olds and upward at one mile and a sixteenth on Tapeta)

Saturday, Dec. 5: The $75,000 Gold Rush Stakes (2-year-olds at one mile on Tapeta)

Saturday, Dec. 12: The $75,000 Bear Fan Stakes (California-bred or California-sired fillies and mares 3-years-old and upward at six furlongs on Tapeta)

Sunday, Dec. 13: The $50,000 Miss America Stakes (Fillies and mares 3-years-old and upward at one mile and a sixteenth on turf)

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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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