Chance to rebound for Northern Scene

BOSSIER CITY, La. - An unusually wet summer has wreaked havoc on turf racing at Louisiana Downs the last couple of months, but Saturday's allowance feature could help meet the needs of the grass aficionados, if the weather cooperates.

Stakes winner Northern Scene, sixth in the Barksdale Handicap here on June 23, will seek to make amends in the about one-mile race for 3-year-olds and upward. The $31,000 headliner carries no other conditions or restrictions.

Before the Barksdale, Northern Scene picked up his sixth victory over the local grass with a game effort in a $75,000 optional claimer in mid-May. Trainer Morris Nicks has a couple of solid works into Northern Scene between starts, including a near-bullet five furlongs in 1:00.60 this past Sunday. Donnie Meche will once again be in the saddle on Northern Scene, a 6-year-old Northern Baby gelding.

Churchill Downs invader Codasco, the pacesetter in two recent allowance races on the turf, is scheduled to make his first local start for trainer Mike Johnson. With 2 wins from 3 starts over off main tracks, Codasco likely will benefit more than most should yet another grass event fall victim to a damp forecast.

Mean Demand, entered for the main track only, comes off a second in a deep optional claiming affair here on June 21. Making his first start since March, Mean Demand finished between Founding Chairman and More Than Tricky. Those two each won his next start.

* Jockey Jamie Theriot was suspended seven calendar days following the disqualification of his mount, Iknowuthinkimsexy, from second to fourth in the $100,000 Laurel Lane at Louisiana Downs on July 21. She was beaten a half-length by winner Hisse in the six-furlong race for 2-year-old fillies, and was disqualified for interference in deep stretch.

Theriot has filed an appeal, according to an official with the Louisiana Racing Commission, and is free to ride until it is heard by the commission on Aug. 24. Theriot's suspension was to have run from Saturday through Aug. 4. He is based at Arlington Park.

- additional reporting by Mary Rampellini