New Orleans (December 11, 2020) – For some, the most anticipated and most hyped race on Saturday’s Louisiana Champions Day card was over in the paddock. Prior to the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Ladies Sprint, one of ten stakes on the day, Ova Charged, the beautiful bay by Star Guitar, out of Cotton Charged, made her rounds – beaming, confident, focused. She has looked like a champion in her stall, in her workouts, beating optional claimers two weeks prior on November 28th, but what about up against the best filly and mare sprinters in Louisiana—did this lightly raced filly have enough to take on the class and grit of graded stakes winner Cilla? The answer is yes.
Ova the Top! Ova Charged Leaves
Backers Biting Nails to the End
76.00-1 longshot Sumitup hustled through the mix of sharp breaks to get the lead and sped on setting the opening ¼ fraction of 21:89. Breaking inside the early leader, second choice 1.90-1 Cilla was close to the front but relaxed and shifted to one path outside to be joined by quickening 25.30-1 shot Sarah’s Passion, who pressed tightly and did not let up pressure. The pair moved through the turn behind the leader but took over the front at the half pole. And that’s when everyone wondered, where is .40-1 favorite Ova Charged?
Breaking slowest of the field, rider Reylu Gutierrez guided Ova Charged at the back of the pack going four-wide through the turn while targeting the main foe. As Cilla put away Sarah’s Passion, it looked like she could sustain. Drifting in, Ova Charged seemed to lose focus but Gutierrez came with the crop and Star Guitar’s talented 3-year-old showed more than talent, digging in with Cilla in her sights and the finishing line just beyond, Ova Charged showed the heart of a Louisiana-bred champion and won by ¾ length over Cilla who never gave up. Five starts, four wins and one graded stakes second totaling $174,600 lifetime earnings. The connections were in attendance and they were proud.
“It’s an honor to ride for Jose’s stable, to ride Ova Charged,” jockey Reylu Gutierrez said. “What a smart, talented, strong, physically and mentally imposing filly. I am really delighted I can ride her. Two champion fillies neither of them deserved to lose.”
Cilla Digs In but cannot hold off the focused Star Guitar filly
Cilla’s trainer Brett Brinkman had indicated before the race that the goal was to keep teaching Cilla to relax, but when you get drawn the 3 post, inside a filly like Ova Charged, it forced their hand when it came time to run.
“The post position dictated what we had to do,” Brinkman said. “The only two disappointing finishes I’ve had with her lately have been in the lane and we’ve been the target. When we are fixed on a target, we are much better off. I think that’s the same way with his filly [Ova Charged]. She’s a fighter, those are two good mares right there. She had the benefit of a recent race, which is no excuse. My filly fights, she’s good. I’d like to turn the tables and have the outside the other way and force his hand. That’s just the competitor in me.”
After the slow start, Ova Charged’s connections didn’t know this race could unfold in their favor.
“I was worried at the beginning because she didn’t break sharp,” Fair Grounds co-leading trainer Jose Camjo said. “When she was coming home I knew she had a lot of horse left, but I knew she still had to pass the three [Cilla]. She got it done and we are so proud of what she did.”
The other co-leading trainer, Ron Faucheux, sent out 15.30 – 1 Strong Beauty who finished well for third place. An impressive turning out by her and the other sharp fillies in this race. 25.30 – 1 Sarah’s Passion holding on for fourth. 14 – 1 Snowball finished fifth. Then 116.70 – 1 Sienna Breeze finished ahead of the tiring early speed Sumitup.
On a day dedicated to Louisiana’s best horses and horsemen, Ova Charged owner’s said it best:
“Louisiana I love you,” said Eveyln Benoit of Brittlyn Stables. “And I love Star Guitar.”
As for Cilla’s next steps, her trainer has a solid plan.
“I am shooting for a summer career with her,” Brinkman said. “We weren’t pointing to this race but it was a race I wanted to hit. We’ll look to hit a race in February, then we are going back up the country.”
Grand Luwegee Doesn’t Quit, Winning
Second Classic in Front Running Fashion
Favored Highland Creek leads catch the two-time winner
New Orleans (December 11, 2020) – Inquiring horses want to know: What’s the secret to running faster, looking fitter, and being flush with cash? Get a trainer like Gerard Perron to keep tabs on you, and a rider like Colby Hernandez to guide you across the finish line. Easy as cannoli. Or at least that’s how Grand Luwegee makes it look. But winning again in gate to wire fashion began in the mornings. The result – a successful repeat in the $150,000 Louisiana Champions Day Classic.
“We trained him hard,” Gerard Perron said of Grand Luwegee, who won last year’s edition at 52-1. “He ran faster than the last time he won [The LA Champ Classic], so we are really happy with him. We thought he was carrying a little too much weight, and we trained him extra hard. He lost a little bit of weight and he picked up some speed on him.”
With the rail draw, 3.00-1 third choice Grand Luwegee cleared the field and rounded the opening turn two wide setting early fractions of 23.54, 47.70, then relaxing and widening his advantage through 1:12.81, 1:37.89 and coming home in 1:51.00. Not much movement behind him as 2019 Classic Champion 1.80-1 Pound for Pound, piloted by Aubrie Green stalked in second through the first turn to move in tighter through the final bend, but when the writing was on the wall, he began to lose interest and shift lanes to hold on for third. Marginally favored by the betting public, 1.40-1 Highland Creek had been cross-entered in theTurf but trainer Bret Calhoun opted to run eventual winner Who Took the Money in that spot instead. Breaking from the outside position, rider Adam Beschizza guided him to the rail to lead the second group 3 to 4 lengths behind Grand Luwegee. When it came time, he could only chase the winner and finished three lengths back.
“They were honest fractions, 23, 47,” Beschizza said. “My horse has similar tactics. He was sitting on second here and he made a good move like he did last year. He’s got a good explosive kick, but I just got out-kicked and I couldn’t pull him back. The horse ran with his heart on his sleeve and that’s what you want.”
A career record of 30 – 8 – 6 – 4 and lifetime earnings of $491,150, Grand Luwegee’s two Classic scores have come with Colby Hernandez on board.
“Coming out of the one hole we were definitely going to run just like last time. Gerrad (trainer Perron) and his staff did a great job of getting this horse to the race and he ran a very hard race,” Hernandez said. “Turning for home, when I slapped her more on the shoulder, she kicked on.”
Fort Polk Nets Her Foe, Plants Flag in Fair Grounds Dirt
A sharp effort from Calhoun’s Winning Romance falls two lengths short
New Orleans (December 11, 2020) – Everyone knows the secret to winning begins with getting your opponent on your court, not theirs. For Fort Polk, the 3.10 third choice in the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Ladies Distaff, home court advantage is the Fair Grounds main track. It may have been just what this improving 6-year old needed to beat the one horse who almost always has gotten the best of her, the 2.20-1 second choice Net a Bear. The much-loved previous Louisiana Champion could only muster finishing third of five.
It was a valiant effort by the bettor’s 1.30-1 favorite Winning Romance to set the early fractions of 24.63 and 48.85 and hold on for second. But jockey Jorge Guzman and Fort Polk took it to her coming into the turn, accelerating three wide, passing at the ¾ pole and keeping to business in the homestretch to win by two lengths. Make it $226,650 in lifetime earnings and a 30-7-4-8 record for this daughter by Behindatthebar that has been with trainer Patrick Mouton’s barn from day one.
“She’s always been a good horse,” Mouton said. “Actually, I think she is getting better with age. She is going to be 6 pretty soon. She ran super all summer. We got beat only once when we ran on turf and she doesn’t really care for the turf.”
Fort Polk has won four out of the last five since adding blinkers. The one loss coming on turf – to Net A Bear. Jockey Jorge Guzman had a ton of horse that day but went wide in traffic and had to pump the breaks often when Fort Polk got in too tight and Net a Bear left her in the clippings. Tables turned in the Louisiana Champions Day Ladies Distaff and Fort Polk gave her five lengths of dirt to chew on until they meet again.
“She was a little flat,” Net a Bear’s regular rider Timothy Thornton said. “We know she is better on the grass, but you know we were hoping it would set up good for her. She ran her race, she was just a little bit flat. She is a much better grass horse than on the dirt. She is a nice filly. I was tracking the winner the whole way around there and when he went at the 3/8ths pole, I tried going with him, but she just didn’t have enough.”
The pace unfolded as expected as Winning Romance took the lead, Elieen Alexandra pressed, Quikfast n Ahurry sat the pocket trip and Net a Bear followed Fort Polk through two turns. Winning Romance ran well enough but early company made it hard to battle and sustain.
“We got pressured from the 5 [Eileen Alexandra] down the back stretch,” Winning romance’s rider Deshawn Parker said, “but she gave her all to the finish.”
Louisiana Champions Day is like the Breeders Cup for local connections. They target these races and put their hearts into reaching the winner’s circle. Once there, Patrick Mouton took it all in and expressed his satisfaction.
“Listen, I don’t travel, I stay here in the state,” Mouton said. “I stay in Louisiana 99 and 9/10% of the time,” Mouton said. “Winning this kind of race is a big deal, it’s the epitome.”
Who Took the Money Gets the Dough on the Turf
Last year on dirt, this year on grass, Allied Racing Stable
homebred wins on Champions Day for the second consecutive year
New Orleans (December 11, 2020) – The Allied Racing Stable homebred has been a challenge in many ways, but in Saturday’s $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Turf, he may have found his niche.
Off slowly in the field of 11, the 3-year-old gelded son of Street Boss, was far off the early pace set by 1.30-1 favorite Mangelsen through honest early fractions of 23.81, 48.97 and 1:14.15 with the rail 20 feet out on the Stall-Wilson Turf Course, but once jockey Deshawn Parker found clear sailing to the outside, the horse did the rest.
“We wanted to get a little better break, but he didn’t break too sharp today,” Parker said. “He was so relaxed on the backside. When I called on him, he gave me an explosion. He gobbled them up so fast. As soon as I got to them, he just rolled by.”
Sent off as the third choice at 3.40-1, Who Took the Money stopped the timer in 1:45.93 for the 1 1/16 miles distance on grass, besting fellow deep closers Budro Talking (13.40-1), also trained by Calhoun) and Treys Midnight Moon by 5 ¾ and 7 ¾ lengths respectively, while the pacesetting Mangelsen faded to third.
Who Took the Money was cross entered in the Classic, but trainer Bret Calhoun opted to run eventual runner-up Highland Creek there instead.
“We tried him (Who Took the Money) on turf once before and he ran alright,” Calhoun said. “We had two horses that could have gone either way so I had to make a tough decision. Knowing his pedigree, I just thought he would be the right one for the grass. He really showed the kind of turn of foot today that we were wanting to see. We were disappointed a little early on because of the break and we were kind of buried behind traffic. I wasn’t optimistic early in the race, but when he (rider Parker) kicked him out. The horse exploded.”
Last year as a 3-year-old, Who Took the Money flipped in the post parade prior to the running of the Crescent City Derby, but won the race anyway as the .50-1 favorite. His behavior hasn’t improved all that much since.
“He’s not as difficult to train as he is to run,” Calhoun explained. “The antics in the paddock and going to the gate, he’ll test you. He’s got quite a bit of ability, but he’s got some (mental) issues.”
With the win, Who Took the Money boosted his record to 8-5-0-1 with earnings of $217,627.
“At the top of the stretch I was looking at Bret and I didn’t think we had a shot, and then boom,” Thomas said. “We really didn’t know what to expect. We thought he’d be alright on the turf. Bret made a good call (to run him in this race). Deshawn rode a great race. We’re delighted.”
Additional quote:
Emmanuel Nieves (rode Budro Talking, who finished second)
“I’ve got patience,” Emmanuel Nieves said. “When I feel comfortable, I love running from behind. Today I had the perfect trip and everything. I thought I was home free but the other horse flew by me. For the team, for both Brett’s [Calhoun] horses, I am happy we ran first and second.”
Buckley Bunny Bounds Home in Lassie
Whispering Oaks homebred lights up the toteboard at 93-1
New Orleans (December 11, 2020) – In what was easily the biggest upset of Saturday’s Louisiana Champions Day card, the Whispering Oaks Farm homebred Buckley Bunny rallied from far off the pace to take down the $100,000 Lassie
Ninth early behind contested fractions of 21.98 and 45.86, the sophomore daughter of Iron Fist picked off a couple of horses on the turn under jockey Kevin Smith before uncorking the winning, five-wide rally in the stretch.
“The plan was just letting her settle herself in and make one run with her. Mr. Steve (trainer Flint) said don’t rush her. I took her back, waited until the 3/8ths pole and let her run. I did what he told me to do. When I let her go, she fought.”
Basalt Street (6.00-1) and Beleout (37.10) battled early, with 2.00-1 favorite Free Like a Girl, the winner of three consecutive stakes coming in, tucked in fifth. She tipped out three-wide and made a solid bid in the stretch, but was simply outkicked by the longshot winner, losing by ¾ of a length over six furlongs run in 1:11.76. It was just another neck back to the late closing Medley (3.80-1) in third.
“I don’t think she had any pace to run into last time,” Flint explained. “It’s not like filly the filly wouldn’t appreciate a stretch like today. We had some pace. Kevin rode her to a tee. I told him, don’t move until you hit the 3/8ths pole, let her go, and let’s see what we got. She responded well. I got a little of that (93-1).”
A winner at first asking back in June, Buckley Bunny entered the Lassie on a four-race losing streak. She now sports a career record of 6-2-1-1 with earnings of $93.660.
Monte Man Does It Again
8-year-old veteran repeats in Sprint
New Orleans (December 11, 2020) – At the age of eight, Ivery Sisters Racing’s Monte Man is the gift that keeps on giving. Claimed for $25,000 way back in October of 2017, the son of Custom for Carlos scored the ninth stakes win of his career on Saturday, repeating the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Sprint.
Fourth behind hot and contested early fractions of 21.58 and 44.53 set by his stablemate Bertie’s Galaxy with pressure from Takes Two To Tango, Swot Analysis and the 1.4-1 favorite No Parole, the table was set, and Monte Man feasted in the stretch.
“Before the race, Ron (trainer Faucheux) and I could almost see it playing into his favor,” Beschizza said. “All the credit to the horse. He’s just an iron horse, really. A couple of years ago, they (the connections) could have just retired him and given him a nice second life, but he just seems to be so spontaneous in the mornings. Ron just tells me that, year after year. True to that word, he’s bounced back here and Ron had him in great shape. The team has been a huge supporter of mine and I can’t thank them enough.”
Bertie’s Galaxy (3.50-1) dug in gamely in the stretch, but he could not hold off Monte Man, who prevailed by ¾ of a length, stopping the timer in 1:09.91. It was 4 ½ lengths back to Sir Wellington (4.40-1 in third. No Parole, the former Grade I winner, pressed the pace briefly while four-wide, but he failed to make the course.
“He (No Parole) is fine, but since his layoff, he hasn’t shown that he wants to compete in the afternoons despite working well in the mornings,” trainer Tom Amoss said of No Parole. He is completely sound and Maggi (owner Moss) has decided to retire him.”
In his first start off the claim for trainer Ron Faucheux Monte Man won a local optional-claimer in December 2017, which was the start of a seven-race winning streak. After running third in the Sprint in 2018 and fourth in the 2019 renewal, Monte Man won the race last year, and he was up to the task once again.
“I think he’s just getting better, we’re just getting started with him, you know, we got a long way to go,” Faucheux said in jest. “He’s every trainer’s dream. He’s just so consistent. He gives it his all every race. To have an 8-year-old turning nine, stay sound throughout the whole process, and just continue to progress, it’s unbelievable. It’s real privilege to train him for Ivery Sister Racing. They let us place him appropriately, take our time between races, and that makes all the difference with this horse. We 100% will go for the three-peat as a 9-year-old.”
Monte Man boosted his career record to 50-18-8-9 with earnings of $794,223.
Additional quote:
Jareth Loveberry (rode Bertie’s Galaxy, who finished second)
“It was kinda tough down the backside” jockey Jareth Loveberry said. “I was in a tight spot and I had to keep him where he was so I didn’t get shuffled back. I had to use him just a little bit early maybe it cost me at the end. But he ran his heart out. He dug in and ran really good.”
Unified Report Passes Another Test in Lassie
Sophomore filly shows a new dimension to remain undefeated
New Orleans (December 11, 2020) – On Monday, trainer Dallas Stewart welcomed his first grandchild into the world, and just a few short days later, Henry Lane Stewart and family watched from afar as Valene Farms’ Unified Report would score yet another Louisiana Champions Day win for grandpa.
Sent off as the .70-1 favorite in the $100,000 Juvenile, the sophomore son of Unified, tracked the pace set by the embattled Grunt and Charco through contested fractions of 21.76 and 45.63. Four-wide on the turn for home, he battled briefly with eventual third place finisher Charco mid-stretch before putting that rival away. Unified Report led into the deep stretch, and held safe of the late closing 1.80-1 second choice, the maiden Bron and Brow, stopping the timer in 1:10.55.
“Truly it all goes back to thanking Mr. Murray (owner Valene),” Hernandez said. “Year after year, he just keeps finding these really good Louisiana-breds. I think this is like the third or fourth year in a row we’ve won one of these 2-year-old (stakes) races. He (Unified Report) looked like he was the best horse in the race and I just did my job, give him the cleanest trip we could. He’s a young horse, but he was two for two (coming in) so he’s got a little experience behind him. There were for of them in front, so I just let him find his rhythm, I got him in the clear and off he went. What really impressed me today was the way he galloped out. He hit the wire and kind of stepped away from those horses again, so he kind of shows you that he wants to stretch out and go to two turns.”
With the win, Unified Report remained perfect from three starts, increasing his bankroll to $154,720 in the process.
Bron and Brow, who finished third at Del Mar in his career debut, added blinkers for the Juvenile, and after a difficult trip with some traffic trouble, he too stamped himself as a youngster to watch.
It was a little troubled trip for me,” jockey Deshawn Parker admitted. “He was trying to run and had nowhere to go for a while. So once I came out of the turn, I tried to dig him out. But it was real trouble. Trouble. He’s a maiden but he won’t be a maiden much longer.”
“We had a horrible trip,” assistant trainer David Carroll added. “He was loaded the whole way, had to check hard off heels, then had to wait for room. He closed fast. To me, he was much the best horse in the race. He’s a talented colt and we look forward to running him back. That’s racing.”
A longtime supporter of Louisiana racing, Murray Valene was thrilled with his colt’s performance.
“We had an undefeated filly (Big Time) win for us on this day last year, and this year it was the colt (Unified Report),” Valene said. “I want to thank Dallas Stewart and his team for doing such a great job. This colt looks like he wants to go longer and he might have the talent to do it successfully.”
Quarter Horse stakes recaps provided by H. David Smith
Louisiana Champions Day Quarter Horse Classic Ends In Thrilling Dead Heat
New Orleans (December 11, 2020) – Multiple stakes winners Eyeondaprize and Lifeinthefastlanes battled to a dead heat Saturday in the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Quarter Horse Classic(RG2) at Fairgrounds Race Course in New Orleans.
The pair of 4-year-old Louisiana-Bred fillies stopped the clock in :21.454 seconds for the 440 yards, equaling a 105 speed index with an 8 mph tailwind. Each filly earned $32,500 for her effort.
Coming off a win in the Opelousas Stakes on November 13th, Lifeinthefastlanes got her 11th win in 17 starts to bring her earnings total to $514,381. The daughter of multiple stakes sire Jess Louisiana Blue was making only her third career start for owner Paragon Farms LLC. Wade and Kay Loup, Jr. bred Lifeinthefastlanes from the Panther Mountain mare Pantherinthefastlane. David Alvarez had the riding call for champion trainer Kenny Roberts.
“The delay was difficult because she’s one of these fillies that gets nerved up,” Roberts said. “But she ran a real good race, and is one of the best I’ve had. I believe this will be her last race.”
Coming off a win in the French Quarter Stakes at Evangeline Downs October 30th, Eyeondaprize picked up her eighth career win in 19 starts to bring her earnings total to $142,660. Trainer Rosendo Valdez, Jr. conditions the daughter of multiple stakes sire Fast Prize Jordan for owner Rosendo Valdez.
Daniel Trahan bred the brown filly from the Game Patriot mare Good Game Meg. Noe Castaneda was up.
“She responded pretty good at the end,” Castaneda said following the winning ride. “I knew she had the talent to go far; I never gave up on her and she never gave up.”
Tuckers Prize finished 1-¼ lengths behind the leaders to earn $10,000 for third. Owned-and-trained by Preston Jourdan, the 5-year-old graded stakes winning son of multiple stakes sire Fast Prize Dash was ridden by Ubaldo Luna. Kirby and Phillip Bruchhaus bred the $206,375 earner from the Game Patriot mare Bb Secrets Game.
Maggies Runaway, Lightemupwithcharm, Heza Bell Perry Jr, Jrs Corona Toast and Hezjessmagic completed the field. Apollitical B Snow was scratched at the gate.
Additional reporting by Martha Claussen.
Quid Pro Quo Surprises In Louisiana Champions Day Quarter Horse Juvenile
New Orleans (December 11, 2020) – Quid Pro Quo (15-1), a 2-year-old son of multiple stakes sire Five Bar Cartel, got his first career stakes win on Saturday when he soundly defeated Gamefaceprize by three-quarter’s in the restricted Grade 2 $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Quarter Horse Juvenile at Fairgrounds Race Course.
Quid Pro Quo lugged out late under jockey Bobby Ransom while clocking :17.583 seconds for the 350 yards, a 99 speed index into a 12 mph crosswind. It was the fourth win in seven starts for the sorrel gelding.
The $45,000 Champions Juvenile’ winner’s purse doubled Quid Pro Quo’s earnings mark to $93,132 for the year. Trainer Josue Huitron sent out the sorrel gelding for owner Jeronimo Silva from Cullman, Alabama.
“With these young horses you never know, Huitron said after the race. “Today he ran big, and we were proud of him.”
The 2-year-old was also a finalist in the restricted Grade 1 Lee Berwick Futurity at Delta Downs last summer.
“This is my first stakes win,” Silva said after the race. “Maybe it’s beginners luck but will take it!”
Gerard Hebert bred Quid Pro Quo from Jess Tempting To Fly by Tempting Dash.
Quid Pro Quo rewarded backers with $31.40 to win, $16.40 to show and $8.40 to place.
Runner-up Gamefaceprize picked up $17,000 for his second-place effort. The Fast Prize Dash gelding bumped in at the start under jockey Ariel Rodriguez. Orlando Orozco trains the bay gelding for owner Miguel Hernandez.
Jack Willie bred Gamefaceprize from the Game Patriot mare Baby This Girls Game. A finalist in the Mardi Gras Futurity(RG2) in March, he has earned $70,097 in 10 starts this year.
Rosendo Valdez and Rosendo Valdez, Jr., winning owner and trainer of the Louisiana Champions Day Quarter Horse Classic(RG2) in the opening race today, sent out post-time favorite Jess Sweet Enough to finish half-a-length back an earn $10,000 for third.
Everardo Rodriguez rode the One Sweet Jess gelding out of Devilwithabluedress by Corona Cartel. Jess Sweet Enough has banked $47,500 in eight starts.
Return The Queen, Kp Prospect Luna, Amazing Blood, Soft On The Freight, Tdz Royal Runaway, Jess Louisiana, Railroad Jimmy, Kk Sandra Patriot and Shesa Knockoutcartel completed the field.
Additional reporting by Martha Claussen.
Post Time Favorite Dirtwater Dash Up Late To Win Louisiana Champions Day Quarter Horse Derby
New Orleans (December 11, 2020) – Post time favorite Dirtwater Dash, under jockey Everardo Rodriguez, got up late to defeat Ought To Go Tee by half-a-length in the $100,000 restricted Grade 2 Louisiana Champions Day Quarter Horse Derby Saturday afternoon at Fairgrounds Race Course.
Dirtwater Dash, a son of leading Louisiana sire Sir Runaway Dash, completed the 400 yards in :19.743 seconds, equaling a 107 speed index, into a 12 mph crosswind. It was the seventh career win in 14 starts for the 3-year-old.
“This horse is coming along and has done everything the right way,” assistant trainer Chris Valdez said following the win. “It’s all about the family with us; my dad and my brothers are home taking care of the horses every day and every night.”
It was big day at the Fair Grounds for the Valdez family who won the Louisiana Champions Day Quarter Horse Classic (RG2), Champions Day Quarter Horse Derby(RG3) and took third in the Champions Day Quarter Horse Juvenile(RG2).
Third in the Firecracker Derby(G3), two races back, and winner of the Delta 550 Stakes last May, Dirtwater Dash has earned $124,038. Michael Carlton bred Dirtwater Dash from the Dashin Bye mare Dashin Kate Perry.
Winner of last year’s Louisiana Champions Derby Juvenile(RG2), runner-up Ought To Go Tee earned $17,000 for second today. The son of multiple stakes sire Tee Cos vied early under jockey Rolando Cabrera.
Fernando Lopez trains the $164,472 earner for owner Jose Oviedo. Ronald Gale bred Ought To Go Tee from the Bigtime Favorite mare Vf Ought To Go Max.
Get It Done Babe, a daughter of leading sire Heza Fast Dash, finished a nose back for owner Fausto Mendoza to earn $10,000 for third. Trainer Josue Huitron named Leonardo Rodriguez to ride the brown filly out of Mi Babe by Mr Jess Perry. Gerard Hebert bred the earner of $53,330.
Completing the field were Jettin Cartel, Apollitical Chais, Tee Zo, Bayou Kue, Cason, One Fast Cajun and Tee Britt.
Additional reporting by Martha Claussen.
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Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, one of the nation’s oldest racetracks, has been in operation since 1872. Located in New Orleans, LA, Fair Grounds, which is owned by Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ Global Select Market: CHDN), also operates a slot-machine gaming facility and 15 off-track betting parlors throughout Southeast Louisiana. The 150th Thoroughbred Racing Season – highlighted by the 109th running of the Louisiana Derby – will run from November 25, 2021 through March 27, 2022. More information is available online at www.fairgroundsracecourse.com.
