Due to Win looking for first victory of season

BOSSIER CITY, La. - Friday's allowance feature, for nonwinners of a race "other than" since the meeting began, drew seven fillies and mares, most of whom are trying to jump-start once-promising careers. The 1 1/16-mile affair on the main track carries a $29,000 purse, with another $6,900 available to the Louisiana-breds Young Emotions and Gypsy Pole E Style.

One of those attempting to rekindle past glory is the 10-year-old veteran Due to Win. As her name suggests, has fallen on hard times this year and has not won since winning the Cornucopia Stakes here last fall. Trained by Howard Scarberry, she has started only once this meet, finishing fifth in an allowance on turf in May. A career winner of more than $470,000, Due to Win will be ridden by V.L. Smith.

is also looking for her first win of the year after a useful campaign in 2004. Trained by Jerry Cart, Pampered showed signs of waking up in her last start, reporting home second in an allowance race on Aug. 19. Leading jockey John Jacinto will take over the riding chores.

, second in the Margarita Breeders' Cup Handicap over the Retama turf on Aug. 6, sports some of the best recent form of the group. A 4-year-old Jade Hunter filly, Rose Hunter has a useful turn of early foot, and once again appears likely to assume the role of pacesetter. Defending riding champ Lonnie Meche has the call.

has been the most consistent horse in the field. Trained by Charles Hukill, Tunnel Time has strung together four in-the-money performances in a row, beginning with a win for a claiming price of $25,000 in mid-July. Regular rider Jeff Burningham will once again be in the saddle.

Shons Secret, a four-time winner last year in only seven starts, is another who is trying to salvage some respectability out of a disappointing 2005 campaign. She comes off a fourth-place finish going a sprint distance against starter-allowance foes, and will stretch out to her favorite distance on Friday - she is 4 for 4 at 1 1/16 miles. Trainer Ralph Irwin has given Kirk LeBlanc the call.