Flights bring in five for Super Derby

Flights bringing horses from California, Kentucky, and New York for Saturday's Grade 2, $750,000 Super Derby at Louisiana Downs near Shreveport arrived Tuesday. Regal Ransom and Soul Warrior were aboard a Tex Sutton flight that originated in New York and then swung through Kentucky to pick up Blame and Uno Mas. The California-based Massone, meanwhile, flew to town via Federal Express.

Sumo, who was scheduled to fly in from New York, did not get on the flight Tuesday morning but remains under consideration for the Super Derby, according to trainer Graham Motion. He said in a text message that a final decision was to be made Wednesday and that another flight to Louisiana was available Thursday. Arthur Hancock, who owns Sumo, said the other option that has been discussed for the horse is the Grade 2, $500,000 Indiana Derby on Oct. 3.

Tommy Sibille, the stakes coordinator at Louisiana Downs, expected seven or eight horses for the Super Derby as of Tuesday. He said Electric Alphabet and Red Lead, who also are pointing to the race, are both already stabled at Louisiana Downs.

The Tex Sutton flight arrived in Monroe, La., on Tuesday because repair work is being done to a landing strip in Shreveport. The horses then vanned about an hour and a half into Louisiana Downs.

The Super Derby, at 1 1/8 miles, will share a card with five other stakes Saturday. The races are worth a cumulative $1.2 million, making the card the richest of the meet at Louisiana Downs.