Forest Lake beats elders in Magnolia Stakes

Forest Lake defeated older stakes rivals Friday night, pulling clear late for a 1 1/4-length win over Heatseeker Sharon in the $100,000 Magnolia at Delta Downs. It was another neck back to Lady Grantham in third, while the favored Afternoon Tango finished fourth in the one-mile race restricted to fillies and mares bred in Louisiana.

Forest Lake ($26.80) stalked Heatseeker Sharon through fractions of 23.49 seconds for the opening quarter and 48.38 for the half-mile. The eventual winner advanced three wide on the final turn, hooked up with Heatseeker Sharon and Lady Grantham in the stretch, then shook those rivals to win on a fast track in 1:40.78.

Hector Santiago was aboard the winner for trainer Jerry Delhomme.

Forest Lake earned $60,000 for her win in the Magnolia, which is expected to produce starters for the Louisiana Champions Day program in December at Fair Grounds. Forest Lake is a 3-year-old daughter of Forestry and races for her breeder, the retired NFL quarterback Jake Delhomme. The Magnolia was the second stakes win for Forest Lake, following last year’s Starlet at Evangeline Downs.