Adrianne G shows fight in Battle of New Orleans victory

Adrianne G set a hot pace but still had plenty of homestretch energy to win the $50,000 Battle of New Orleans Stakes by about 1 1/2 lengths Saturday at Fair Grounds.

Ridden to victory by Richard Eramia for owner Richard Galvin, Adrianne G was one of three winners sent out in the first eight races Saturday by trainer Bret Calhoun.

Adrianne G broke smartly and was just faster to the front than D’boldest, setting splits of 21.91 seconds and 44.75 while racing close to the rail. Under more typical conditions, that would have been an enervating pace, but the local grass course is very firm and fast right now, and after shaking off her pace rivals, Adrianne G drew clear and had plenty left to hold off a late outside run from Tesalina. Unbridled Courage, the 2-1 favorite after taking heavy early betting action, came home a one-paced and well-beaten third.

Adrianne G’s winning time for 5 1/2 furlongs was 1:02.75, and she paid $7.80 to win as the second choice. The 4-year-old daughter of Indygo Shiner won for the ninth time in 23 starts and scored her third victory on grass.

“We had this race on our radar for awhile,” said Calhoun. “We always thought she’d like turf in her pedigree, but we tried her a couple times early on it, and she ran terrible. We kind of got forced onto it last year, and she ran really well.”

Saturday generally went really well for Calhoun. Annually among the leading trainers at Fair Grounds, Calhoun entered Saturdays’ action winless the first six days of this meet before a major breakout capped by Adrianne G’s sharp win.