Alabama-breds face off in Cotton State Stakes

Alabama-breds will be in the spotlight Saturday night at Evangeline Downs in the $50,000 Cotton State Stakes. The one-mile race is for 3-year-olds and up bred in Alabama.

A field of eight has signed on, including three fillies.

Jovie G is one of them, and she could go favored on the strength of her win in the $50,000 Yellow Hammer over males on June 22 at Louisiana Downs.

Tim Thornton has the mount for trainer Jonathan Wong.

Castillo to Louisiana Downs

Jockey Isaac Castillo, who ranks fifth in the standings at Monmouth Park, will begin riding at Louisiana Downs next week, according to his agent, Dylan Fazio.

Castillo is scheduled to ride at the Bossier City, La., track Mondays through Wednesdays, and on it’s two stakes days, Louisiana Cup Day, Aug. 30, and Super Derby Day, Sept. 6.

“He’ll continue to ride at Monmouth and the East Coast on the weekends, but Louisiana Downs will be full-time otherwise,” Fazio said. “They run on opposite days.”

Monmouth wraps up its meet Sept. 14.

Fazio said the move is at the request of some horsemen and it also gives Castillo an opportunity to strengthen his regional ties for the Oaklawn meet that opens in December.

◗ Remington Park puts on a pair of Saturday night allowances that should produce starters for Oklahoma Classics Night in October. The fifth race drew stakes winners Tap the Dot, Ghost Hero, Number One Dude, and C W Prize. The 10th race drew stakes winners Take Me Serious, Doudoudouwanadance, and C W Charm.

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