Candy Ball beats males in Independence

BOSSIER CITY, La. - Scoring one for equal rights, Candy Ball rallied strongly down the straight in Saturday's $50,000 Independence Stakes to defeat eight male opponents by a convincing 3 3/4 lengths at Louisiana Downs

They did not make it easy for Candy Ball, a 6-year-old Lemon Drop Kid mare. She had to survive a foul claim lodged by Lonnie Meche, who was on board eventual sixth-place finisher, Forty Acres, for alleged interference in midstretch. Beta Capo finished second in the one-mile turf race, followed by T. C. Champ.

Trained by Andy Leggio and ridden by Francisco Torres, Candy Ball ($4.60) ran her record over the Louisiana Downs turf course to 3 wins and 2 seconds from just 5 starts. She covered the distance in 1:35.08 over firm going in winning for the 10th time overall. The $30,000 winner's share increased her career bankroll to just under $350,000.