The length of Woods N Water’s nose kept Behemah Star from winning a second straight Louisiana Champions Day Turf, while Highly Wicked’s proboscis prevented Tommie G from posting a massive upset in the Champions Day Ladies Turf.
Woods N Water pulled a favorable stalking trip under Tim Thornton, who was winning his third race on the card and second stakes following Touchuponastar’s tally in the Champions Day Classic. Still, Woods N Water was saved by the wire in the $100,000 Turf, where Behemah Star, after backpedaling at the five-sixteenths pole, surged up the inside and just missed nailing the winner.
Woods N Water made his first start for trainer Samuel Breaux after campaigning this fall at Remington Park in Oklahoma. Third in this race a year ago, Woods N Water runs for owners Richard Painter and Dewberry Farm, for whom he now has earned nearly $400,000. The 5-year-old gelding, a son of Palace out of the First Samurai mare Said and Done, was bred by Painter and Orange Grove Thoroughbreds, and notched his first victory in 2022 (via disqualification) over Louisiana-bred $12,500 maiden-claimers. Woods N Water, however, soared to a new level when switched to turf during the spring of 2023, winning his second stakes on Saturday.
Woods N Water ($21.20) ran 1 1/16-miles on a firm course with the temporary rail placed 24 feet out in 1:47.82. Calicoco, who pressed the pace, finished third, 2 1/4 lengths behind the top pair, with favored Who Took the Money fifth after racing much nearer the outer rail than the inner trying to close from last into a slow half-mile split.
While C.J. McMahon’s ride on Who Took the Money didn’t show the jockey at his best, McMahon nearly stole the Ladies Turf aboard Tommie G, an 82-1 shot, who went a slow opening half-mile, uncontested, in 49.54. While Tommie G didn’t finish especially fast, no one else did either, favorites Boomin’ Bell and Eye of the Pharaoh each crossing the wire unplaced. Instead, it was Highly Wicked, emerging from the pack at the eighth pole under Marcelino Pedroza, who gradually wore down Tommie G, nipping her in the final stride.
Trained by Sam David for Earl Hernandez, Keith Hernandez, and John Duvieilh, Highly Wicked paid $11 as the third choice and was timed in a glacial 1:49.92. A homebred, 4-year-old Highly Wicked is by Wicked Strong out of the Rahy mare Highly Confused. She, like Woods N Water, cleared the maiden ranks for a low Louisiana claiming price before moving far forward with a switch to grass, and she was just good enough Saturday to capture her first stake race.
Geaux Sugar takes Sprint
Geaux Sugar’s form has gone through the roof since being claimed for $10,000 this past May by Single Malt Stables and trainer Keith Bourgeois, and after upsetting the Andrew Ney Memorial by a head last month, Geaux Sugar dominated the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Sprint on Saturday at Fair Grounds.
Breaking like a Quarter Horse under Mitchell Murrill, Geaux Sugar buzzed straight to the lead, went 21.85 and 45.08 on a solo speed mission, and never came close to being caught. Murrill took a glance under his right shoulder before the furlong grounds, saw nothing coming, and Geaux Sugar cruised to a 4 3/4-lengths victory.
Jack Hammer, the 6-5 favorite in his first start since March, rallied mildly to finish second, a half-length ahead of third-place Not On Herb. Geaux Sugar, who paid $9.60, zipped six furlongs on a fast track in 1:09.81. A 4-year-old gelding by Half Ours out of Fifolet, by Stormy Atlantic, Geaux Sugar was bred by Earl Hernandez, Keith Hernandez, and John Duvieilh, owners and breeders of Champions Day Ladies Turf-winner Highly Wicked.
In the $100,000 Ladies Sprint, Six String held on by a neck over relentless 36-1 shot Luyv, who set the pace and persevered doggedly after being displaced from the lead in midstretch. Freeburn faded to third after disputing a moderate 46.58 half-mile split, with the 4-5 favorite, $2 million earner Free Like a Girl, a one-paced fourth at a six-furlong distance short of her best.
Six String, a 3-year-old beating older rivals, has proven a prolific winner, the Ladies Sprint her seventh victory from 11 starts. Ben Curtis rode the winner, who clocked 1:11.54 and paid $11.80 for trainer Allen Landry and owners World War IV and Rebel Tide Racing. A homebred, Six String is by leading Louisiana sire Star Guitar and out of Oh Whata Holiday, by Harlan’s Holiday.
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