Cox glad to get Eramia to ride Allied Air Raid in Prelude

Allied Air Raid will be trainer Brad Cox’s first Louisiana Downs starter in the $100,000 Prelude on Saturday, and for the occasion Cox wanted to lock up a rider familiar with the Bossier City track. He was able to secure one of the best on the grounds in Richard Eramia, who is chasing after his fifth straight title at Louisiana Downs.

“He’s the leading rider; he obviously knows the track,” Cox said Wednesday. “I’ve never raced there myself and thought I’d get the top pilot if I could.”

Allied Air Raid will start as a top contender in the Prelude, the traditional Super Derby prep that drew eight horses, including Mobile Bay, a winner of his last three starts, and The Pickett Factor, who was a dominant winner over older horses in his two-turn debut July 3 at Louisiana Downs. The track also will put on six statebred stakes Saturday during Louisiana Cup Day.

Allied Air Raid enters the Prelude off a runner-up finish in the Grade 3 Iowa Derby on June 27. Eramia said Wednesday he is looking forward to riding the horse, who earlier this year won his maiden and a first-level allowance at Oaklawn Park and then ran third in the $75,000 Prairie Mile at Prairie Meadows.

“I think he’s very live in the race,” Eramia said. “He should be first or second choice. He’s run some good races.”

Eramia, a 36-year-old native of Uruguay, entered Wednesday’s races at Louisiana Downs with 76 wins, 32 more than second-leading rider Don Simington. Eramia has had 268 mounts at the meet, and they have earned $833,680.

“The meet so far is going good,” Eramia said. “I am really happy with business.”

Eramia can add to his stats in a significant way Saturday, which brings the first stakes of the Louisiana Downs meet. In addition to Allied Air Force, Eramia’s other top mounts on the card include String King, the probable favorite in the $100,000 Louisiana Cup Turf Classic. The horse won the $100,000 Louisiana Legends Classic on July 4 at Evangeline Downs.

“Last time, they took the race off the grass,” Eramia said. “A lot of horses scratched. I think this will be a tougher race.”

But String King, who will break from the rail in a field of 11, is always up for the challenge.

“He’s got a big heart,” Eramia said, adding that the return to turf would be another boon for String King.

As for Allied Air Raid, he was scheduled to ship out of his Churchill Downs base on Wednesday night, said Cox. The horse is scheduled to school in the Louisiana Downs paddock on Friday.

Eramia on top contender in Friday feature

Eramia will team with Grande Basin in the featured sixth race Friday, an optional $12,500 claiming turf route that carries first-level allowance conditions. Grande Basin is returning to the overnight ranks after running in stakes in his last two starts against such rivals as Mobile Bay.

The horse to beat Friday is Chad Be Glad, who is seeking to win his fifth straight race. He built his streak over the course of the Louisiana Downs meet, beginning in a $12,500 claiming race May 27. Jansen Melancon has the mount for trainer Joey Foster.

Also on the card, Money Flows, a 4-year-old half-brother to E Dubai, debuts in the third race. E Dubai was a multiple Grade 2 winner who earned more than $900,000.

Arkansas breeder dies

Ronnie Udouj, a prominent Arkansas breeder and owner, died July 27, according to friends. He was 74. A funeral Mass will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Fort Smith, Ark.

◗ The Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association will have a drawing for scholarships Saturday at Louisiana Downs.