Eden Prairie prevails in Bayou Stakes

NEW ORLEANS – Eden Prairie was run down late by the Mike Stidham-trained Notte d’Oro last month in the Marie Krantz Stakes here at Fair Grounds, but on Saturday in the $60,000 Bayou Stakes, it was Eden Prairie who ran down a Stidham horse, catching the pacesetting Istanford at the furlong pole and going on to a 1 1/2-length victory.

Istanford, who set quick splits of 22.85 seconds, 47.46, and 1:11.98 while making her first start since October, held decently for second, nipping Samiam, who stalked the pace and switched out late to just miss the runner-up.

Notte d’Oro acted up in the gate and was a shadow of the horse who won here last month, coming home sixth.

Trained by Neil Pessin for Lothenbach Stables, Eden Prairie always was prominent under Florent Geroux, and asked for her best in midstretch, she got the better of Istanford, a Grade 2 winner last year at 3. She paid $7.80 to win and was timed in 1:42.56 for 1 1/16 miles on a very firm turf course.

A 5-year-old Mizzen Mast mare, she won for the seventh time in 22 starts.