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Our biggest day at Louisiana Downs so far was Super Derby Prelude Day on August 15th. We had four competitive stakes races including the $100k Super Derby Prelude, the local prep for the Grade 2 Super Derby, to be run on September 19th this year. Below is a recap of the day in words and pictures…
The 10-race card started off with a turf sprint wire job by Lone Star shipper Izzy Golden. My 10-1 top Fifth Down rallied from 11th to finish 7th.
Chris Rosier at Louisiana Downs
I selected Bailey’s Brook in the 2nd, but she was scratched when I called for race day changes the morning of the race. I changed my top to Coral Lace, but she scratched in the post parade. I guess that left With My Boots On as my new top, and she set the pace and settled for a minor award as usual. The aptly named Rodeo Miss finished 2nd, and she kicked jockey Chris Rosier after he dismounted.
Fast Fuzzy romped in the 3rd, a state bred juvenile maiden sprint.
Twilight Ross rumbled from off the pace to tag Touchdown Jesus in the grassy 4th. Well judged move by leading rider Don Simington, and the winner last raced at Evangeline Downs.
Yours truly with apprentice rider Anna Roberts
Jennifer’s Venture was a popular winner of the 5th. My top O Night Divine landed the show under hustling apprentice Anna Roberts. She was gracious enough to have her photo taken with yours truly after the races on Saturday.
Sunny’s Halo Stakes: Roughly run juvenile turf route went to 2-1 Lone Star shipper Forestry Steel. My top Perfect Lou was a unlucky 5th and could have easily gotten the job done with clear sailing.
3rd Lone Star shipper to find the winners’ circle as Bg Silver Snow pulled off the 12-1 upset in the 7th under David Elston.
Donnie Wilhite Memorial Handicap: Yep, you guessed it. Another Lone Star horse! 19-1 Rich Pearl held off fellow Texas invader Miss Afleet Alex. My top Lemondropsmypop landed the show.
Uno Mas wins Super Derby Prelude
Super Derby Prelude: The one we’ve all been waiting for. Multiple stakes placed colt Uno Mas, last seen finishing up the track in the Iowa Derby, rallied to get his neck down on the line in an exciting stretch drive. Shane Sellers roder the winner for Steve Asmussen. Churchill invader Electric Alphabet nosed Iowa Derby show finisher Red Lead for the place. It was more than seven back to the 4th place finisher. Expect all three to return for the Super Derby.
Shiskabob: Had four scratches including morning line fav Category Seven. Mogumbo Cat was a smart stalk and pounce winner under a crafty ride by PVal. My best bet Angelonmyshoulder landed the place. Gold Wonder briefly looked gone turning for home, but the Michelle Lovelle trainee ran out of gas and was nosed out of the show.
Jockey Pat Valenzuela gives the thumbs up!
An exciting day of racing, and that’s a wrap on the ’09 Super Derby Prelude card. We are less than five weeks to the Super Derby, and the purse has been raised to $750k this year. In addition to the Prelude top three, others pointing to the Super Derby include Iowa Derby winner Duke of Mischief and recent Curlin Stakes hero Blame. The latter is trained by Al Stall Jr., and he struck gold in the ’08 Super Derby with My Pal Charlie.
The Travers is three weeks before our big race, and we would love to get horses such as Mine That Bird and Summer Bird. Note that the Derby winner needs throat surgery, and his mid-summer Derby status is day-to-day. The Belmont winner is stabled at Louisiana Downs, and will probably return to his home base after the Travers. Stay tuned for Super Derby preview blogs in the coming weeks!
Images: Stacy Edwards
