Due to Win Again - ditto

BOSSIER CITY, La. - Due to Win Again's victory in optional-claiming company in her last start could not have come at a better time for trainer Howard Scarberry. The win was the mare's first this year and - the obvious play on words aside - it should set her up well for another good effort in Sunday's $50,000 Sangue Handicap at Louisiana Downs. Eleven entered the 7 1/2-furlong grass race.

Third in this race a year ago before winning the River Cities Stakes in September, will share highweight honors in this year's Sangue at 119 pounds. Her recent success, along with her stalk-and-pounce running style in field loaded with speed, will likely endear her to the betting public as well. Guy Smith, up for the first time in last month's win, again will be in the saddle.

, also assigned 119 pounds, comes into the Sangue riding a two-race win streak in stakes, both coming on the main track.

Victorious in the Alan Brogan Memorial for Texas-breds at Lone Star on July 9, Slewpy's Storm followed that with a win in the Delicada Stakes here two weeks later. She has had only two starts on the turf, but is obviously at the top of her game. Trainer Brent Davidson has given Carlos Gonzalez the return call.

has been a different filly since trainer Joe Offolter removed the blinkers back in the spring. Since then, the 4-year-old Touch of Creme has won 3 of 4 starts and was stakes placed in the other. A former front-runner, Touch of Creme is now a confirmed closer, and is another who should benefit from an abundance of early pace. Cliff Berry will be in from Remington Park to ride at 115 pounds.

finished second to Slewpy's Storm in the Delicada, but has raced only twice on grass. Trained by Steve Asmussen, she changed tactics by rating off the pace in her most recent start and that new running style would serve her well on Sunday. She will be ridden by Tracy Hebert.

Our Love is a 3 for 3 over the turf course here, but has yet to try two turns. She most recently finished second in the Miller Lite Stakes at Lone Star while sprinting.

Leading rider John Jacinto, who won nine races last Saturday and Sunday, will again be on board Our Love for trainer Jeff Trosclair.