Calhoun bringing 15 horses to Louisiana Downs

Trainer Bret Calhoun is setting up a 15-horse division at Louisiana Downs and said he would begin moving horses to the Bossier City track Monday. The group will include Louies Flower, a stakes winner being pointed for the $100,000 Prelude at Louisiana Downs on Aug. 2, and Sithechristmas Elf, a 2-year-old co-owned by “Duck Dynasty” cast member “Uncle Si” Robertson.

Calhoun, who operates one of North America’s leading barns with 95 wins and stable earnings of $2.9 million in 2014, has been shipping in to race at Louisiana Downs. His starters have invaded from the Evangeline Training Center near Lafayette, La., and, over the past month, Lone Star Park near Dallas. Calhoun has gone 3 for 8 at the meet for a 38 percent strike rate at Louisiana Downs.

“I’m sending about 15 horses in,” he said Thursday. “The first load will be shipping in there Monday. We’ve got a little bit of everything.”

Calhoun said Louies Flower is scheduled to arrive Wednesday from Kentucky. The horse won last year’s $250,000 Springboard Mile at Remington Park. In his most recent start, he was 10th in the $200,000 Centaur at Indiana Grand on July 2. The race was on turf, and in addition to having a troubled trip, he did not handle the surface, said Calhoun.

“That wasn’t him,” he said.

Louies Flower, a winner of 3 of 8 starts, races for Wes Melcher. Melcher also co-owns Sithechristmas Elf, a Louisiana-bred daughter of the Gone West stallion Forefathers. Sithechristmas Elf’s dam, Strong Evidence, is a half-sister to $500,000 earner Rapid Proof. She could make her debut in about two months, according to Calhoun.

“She’s a little ways away,” he said. “She probably will debut at Louisiana Downs. There’s a good chance she will.”

Robertson’s family operates Duck Commander, a business featured on the show “Duck Dynasty,” out of nearby West Monroe, La.

Other horses who will make up Calhoun’s division at Louisiana Downs include the Melcher-owned Foreinfinity, a 3-year-old by Forefathers who romped by 17 lengths in a $20,000 maiden-claiming race at the track June 28.

Closing Report, a multiple stakes-winning Louisiana-bred, eventually will join the barn at Louisiana Downs. In her last start, she was third in a Louisiana Legends stakes at Evangeline Downs on May 24.

“We’re freshening her, giving her a little time,” said Calhoun.

Shelby’s Song, an undefeated Louisiana-bred 3-year-old filly by Songandaprayer, also will be part of the Calhoun stable at Louisiana Downs.

Keene eyes Remington

Danny Keene, who was tied atop the owners’ standings at Lone Star through Thursday, will be sending a large stable of horses to Remington Park, said Joseph Smith, his private trainer. Smith said he will have about 36 to 38 horses at Remington, which opens in August.

Smith said Keene also will be sending two or three horses to Louisiana Downs with trainer Danny Pish. Smith is a former assistant to Pish.

Keene was the leading owner last year at Lone Star and captured this year’s title at Sam Houston Race Park in Houston.

Evans targets Del Mar

Trainer Justin Evans, who is based in New Mexico, said he plans to race a few horses at the upcoming meet at Del Mar. Evans said Criminal Element, a 4-year-old by Tribal Rule, is a candidate for maiden races at Del Mar because the first-time starter was bred in California.

“I’m wanting to take a couple of maidens over there,” he said.

Evans also has a promising Line of David colt who was a $275,000 purchase at the Keene-land sale of 2-year-olds in training in April. Dirt Monster is owned by Tony Pennington. He has worked a series of bullets between Ruidoso and SunRay Park.

Evans said long term, he would like to see Dirt Monster develop into a candidate for the 2-year-old stakes series at Remington that concludes with the Springboard Mile.

◗ A course prepping individuals looking to become licensed trainers will be conducted at Remington Park on Aug. 12-14, said C. Reid McLellan, who conducts The Elite Program classes. McLellan will conduct a separate course on selecting and conditioning horses at Remington from Aug. 18-20. The cost for each course ranges from $249 to $349.

◗ Apprentice Carmelo Rosas won the first race of his career at Lone Star Park on Thursday night, when he guided Island Drive ($21.60) to a front-running win for owner-trainer Steve Asmussen.