Fort Hood, Take Me Home capture first stakes of their careers

Fort Hood and Take Me Home Too are moving up the class ladder. Both horses became stakes winners on Saturday at Louisiana Downs, with Fort Hood upsetting odds-on favorite Brian's Choice in the $50,000 Stardust, and Take Me Home Too dominating the $50,000 Laurel Lane.

The races were restricted to 2-year-olds bred in Louisiana.

Fort Hood ($12.40) was prominent throughout, when he shuttled to a one-length win over Unitas. Brian's Choice, who was the 4-5 favorite after running second to the undefeated Aces N Kings in a recent stakes at Louisiana Downs, finished fifth. Fort Hood covered six furlongs on a fast track in 1:12.07.

Gerard Melancon was aboard for the partnership of David J. Richardson and Walter New. Fort Hood is trained by Brett Brinkman.

Take Me Home ($5.20) withstood a stretch bid from Full Rigged before going on to a 3 1/2-length win in the Laurel Lane. Take Me Home covered six furlongs in 1:11.54. Jesse Campbell rode Take Me Home Too for JRita Young Thoroughbreds and trainer Bret Calhoun