King's Man returns after the Premier Night Championship at Delta Downs
Date: 02/07/2015
On Saturday, Delta Downs hosted Louisiana Premier Night, a series of 10 stakes races for Louisiana-breds with a total of $1 million in purses. Conditions were excellent at the Vinton, Louisiana 6 furlong oval, with a fast track, overcast skies, and temperatures in the low 60's.
One King's Man wins the Premier Championship at Delta Downs
The highlight race of the night was the $200,000 Premier Night Championship, for older horses going 1 1/16 miles. Defending champion Sunbean was sent off as the 2-5 favorite in the field of 7 over 5-2 One King's Man and 7-1 Ide Be Cool. Jockey Diego Saenz sent Ide Be Cool to the front and he set fractions of 23.72, 48.83, and 1:14.46 while pressed by Sunbean. Ide Be Cool led to the 1/16 pole through 1 mile in 1:40.27, but One King's Man, 6th early, closed to win going away by 3 1/2 lengths in 1:46.47. It was just a nose back to Sunbean third.
Left: One King's Man in the winner's circle. The Joe Sharp trainee improved his record to 9 wins, 7 seconds, and 5 thirds in 33 starts, earning $420,304 for owners Ken and Sarah Ramsey.
Right: One King's Man in the post parade.
Left: Second place finisher Ide Be Cool in the post parade. He improved his record to 7 wins, 2 seconds, and 0 thirds in 11 starts, earning $422,700 for owner-trainer Henry Ray Dunn.
Right: Third place finisher and beaten favorite Sunbean in the post parade. The Ron Faucheux trainee was the winner of this race last year, and improved his record to 13 wins, 2 seconds, and 2 thirds in 21 starts, earning $1,020,150 for owner-breeder Brittlyn Stable Inc.
Tensas Harbor wins the Premier Night Distaff at Delta Downs
A field of 10 older fillies and mares contested the $150,000 Premier Night Distaff at 1 mile. Even-money favorite Our Quista contested the early pace with 13-1 Platinum Lady through fractions of 22.84, 47.38, and 1:13.67 . Our Quista led to the 1/8 pole but 3-1 defending champion Tensas Harbor, 9 lengths back early, rallied on the outside to win going away by 4 1/4 lengths in 1:40.54. It was a head back to 41-1 Tujucagofast third.
Mr. L.S. Shoe (outside) winning the Premer Night Prince Stakes
A field of 9 Louisiana-bred three-year-olds sprinted 7 furlongs around two turns in the $125,000 Premier Night Prince Stakes. 61-1 longest shot I Rate First set fractions of 22.99 and 47.77 while as many as 2 lengths ahead of 9-2 Cat Sup. Entering the lane, 7-1 Cook Some Rice gained the lead through 3/4 in 1:13.75 but even-money choice Mr. L.S. Shoe, 8th early, closed on the outside to get up by a head in 1:27.37. It was 3/4 length back to Cook Some Rice third.
The James Hodges trained son of Forefathers improved his record to a perfect 4 wins in 4 starts, earning $203,400 for owner-breeder Phyllis Hodges.
Private Promise (outside) wins the Premier Night Starlet Stakes
The distaff counterpart to the Prince is the $125,000 Premier Night Starlet Stakes, with a field of 9 three-year-old fillies also sprinting 7 furlongs. 16-1 Lady Emily Sage battled on the front end with 49-1 Joy of the Saint through fractions of 23.02 and 48.08 while stalked by 11-1 Diamond Cutter. 7-1 Forest lake, 5th early, moved up to gain the lead through 3/4 in 1:14.72 but 30-1 Private Promise, 4th early, outfinished Forest Lake by a head in 1:28.44. It was a length back to 3-10 favorite Wind Chill Factor third.
Afternoon Tango (center) wins the Premier Night Matron Stakes
In the winner's circle
The $100,000 Premier Night Matron Stakes featured a field of 9 older fillies and mares sprinting 5 furlongs around 1 turn. 5-2 favorite Fast City, 5-1 Snappy Girl, and 9-2 Wire Me Bessie battled on the pace through fractions of 21.86 and 46.07. Wire Me Bessie gained the lead at the 1/8 pole but 9-1 Solid Sender and 3-1 Afternoon Tango rallied together on the outside, with Solid Sender finishing a nose in front in 59.15, with Afternoon Tango a nose ahead of Wire Me Bessie third. After a stewards' inquiry, Solid Sender was disqualified and placed second for interference in the stretch, giving the victory to Afternoon Tango.
Kicking off the stakes action on Saturday night, a field of just 5 older horses went to post in the $100,000 Premier Night Sprint also at 5 furlongs. 12-1 Louisiana Glory was quickest away through an opening quarter of 21.85 before 1-10 favorite and defending champion Heitei took over through a half in 45.13. Kept to task by Gerard Melancon, Heitei pulled away to win by 2 1/3 lengths over Louisiana Glory in 57.93. It was a nose back to late-running 14-1 Cole's Magic Vow third.
