Apprentice Melancon moves tack to Delaware

Apprentice jockey Jansen Melancon,son of longtime Evangeline Downs rider Gerard Melancon and a regular in the local jockey colony last summer, will spend this summer riding at Delaware Park. The younger Melancon had a useful winter at Fair Grounds, winning 15 races in that competitive environment, before moving on to Indiana Downs this spring.

"He has his bug until August," said the elder Melancon this past weekend. "He is going to have Bobby Klesaris as agent. We are excited about him going out on his own this year. Hopefully, he can do some good there."

* Louisiana Showcase Night at Evangeline, featuring 10 stakes for statebreds with total purses approaching $1 million, is still more than a month away but some of the fields are already starting to come together, thanks to some strong performances on Louisiana Cup Day last Saturday at Louisiana Downs. Showcase Night is set for July 3.

"That is where you will see my two," trainer James "Sweet" Hodges said following impressive performances by Star Production in the Louisiana Cup sprint and Dynapac in the Louisiana Cup Derby.

"They both ran big and in race horse time," Hodges added. "We are especially pleased with Dynapac. His sire is by Dynaformer and that line is sometimes a bit slow to mature. He has gotten better with each start."

Since winning his maiden at Fair Grounds in early March, Dynapac finished second in the Crescent City Derby and picked up an allowance win prior to capturing last weekend's derby.

* There will be no turf racing for the next two weeks as the course undergoes some routine maintenance, according to racing secretary Coleman Lloyd. Grass racing will return on June 9.