Comalagold upsets Majorette Handicap

BOSSIER CITY, La. - In a stunning upset, Comalagold, a 25-1 shot, won a photo over 2-5 favorite Nicole's Dream in the $40,000 Majorette Handicap at Louisiana Downs on Sunday.

Nicole's Dream dueled with Runs Naked through fractions of 21.13 seconds for the opening quarter, and 43.38 for the half-mile mark. Comalagold ($53.40) rallied into the hot pace and was up for a nose win over Nicole's Dream, who finished a length and a quarter clear of third-place finisher Runs Naked.

Nicole's Dream is an excellent gate horse, but ended up breaking fourth on Sunday.

"She breaks so hard, [jockey E.T. Baird] said the ground broke from under her," said Larry Rivelli, who trains Nicole's Dream. "She shuffled her feet the first 100 yards."

After the race, Nicole's Dream was found, upon an initial diagnosis, to have a pulled hamstring, said Rivelli. She was to be further examined when she returns to the trainer's barn in Chicago on Monday.

Nicole's Dream on Sunday was still being pointed for the $1.2 million Hong Kong Sprint on Dec. 4. She will not, however, race before then, said Rivelli. Nicole's Dream had been pointing for a race in Maryland.

Comalagold covered the five furlongs on firm turf in 55.62 seconds.

"I got through all the traffic and just got up in time," said Gerard Melancon, who rode Comalagold. "We beat an awesome mare. You can't take anything away from that one. She had 127 pounds on her."

Comalagold carried 117. Larry Robideaux trains the winner for Bobby Pruitt. In her previous start, Comalagold was a 10-length winner of the $55,000 Alabama Belle at Louisiana Downs.

Two straight for Dontbotherknocking

Dontbotherknocking picked up his second straight stakes win Sunday when he closed with a flourish to win the $125,000 Harrah's Louisiana Downs Breeders' Cup Handicap. One start prior, Dontbotherknocking captured the $125,000 DeBartolo Memorial Breeders' Cup at Remington Park.

Dontbotherknocking ($17.20) settled several lengths behind Britt's Jules, who led the field through fractions of 24.37 seconds for the opening quarter, 48.13 seconds for the half-mile mark, and 1:12.09 for six furlongs, pushed along by Shaky Town.

Dontbotherknocking advanced on the final turn, and went on to win by three lengths over favorite Waupaca. It was another length and a quarter to third-place finisher Middleweight. Dontbotherknocking covered the mile and a sixteenth on turf in 1:41.69, and was ridden by Quincy Hamilton.

"There was speed and he needs speed to run at," said Bernell Rhone, who trains Dontbotherknocking. "Everything developed perfect for him."

Rhone said Dontbotherknocking would now be pointed for the $50,000 Remington Green at Remington Park on Oct. 21.

Dontbotherknocking races for Frank Jedlicki, and has won 12 of 38 starts and $387,990.

Shaky Town was vanned off after the race Sunday.