Cedartown proves best in Louisiana Stakes

Cedartown established himself as an older horse to be reckoned with this meet at Fair Grounds on Saturday, when he defeated a solid field of rivals by a comfortable two lengths in the $75,000 Louisiana Stakes. Scuba finished second, a neck clear of third-place finisher Hawaakom.

The Louisiana Stakes was for 4-year-olds and up at 1 1/16 miles. It is a local steppingstone to the New Orleans Handicap, and that race is a goal for Cedartown, said winning trainer Michael Stidham.

Cedartown ($8) was content to stalk the pace in third on Saturday as Shut the Box took the field through an opening quarter in 24.51 seconds and a half-mile in 48.62 seconds. The Player moved to the lead through six furlongs in 1:13.71, while Cedartown picked up steam and rolled past those rivals in the stretch. He went on to cover the distance on a fast track in 1:44.18.

“Stidham put me on the best horse,” said winning rider Joe Bravo. “He ran a big race.”

Cedartown entered the Louisiana Stakes off a win in the $200,000 Zia Park Derby on Nov. 22. He was making just the seventh start of his career Saturday for owner Godolphin Racing.

“They were very patient with him and it’s paid off,” Stidham said. “He’s a very nice horse.

“When he won the Zia Park Derby I said to Jimmy Bell [with Godolphin], ‘I’d love to win the New Orleans Handicap and the way to go is the preps at Fair Grounds,’ and that’s what we’re pointing for,” said Stidham.

Cedartown earned $45,000 for his win in the Louisiana Stakes, his fourth career victory. He has now earned $249,200. Cedartown is a son of Candy Ride and the mare Talkin and Singing, who produced the multiple Grade 2 winner Danzing Candy.