Gantry leads Thursday sprint feature

Gantry, the Grade 2-winning sprinter who has earned more than $850,000, makes an appearance in the sixth race Thursday at Louisiana Downs. He will break from the rail in the six-furlong allowance for 3-year-olds and up. Richard Eramia has the mount for Brittlyn Stable and trainer Ron Faucheux.

Gantry will be making his second start off a layoff. In his return June 19, he was third in an optional $25,000 claiming sprint, also at Louisiana Downs. The horse wore blinkers for the first time on recent form for the race, but will remove the equipment on Thursday in what is a high-percentage move for Faucheux.

The field of eight also includes multiple stakes winner Solar Charge, who is cutting back to one turn and returning to dirt after finishing fourth in a Texas-bred allowance at 7 1/2 furlongs on turf June 5 at Lone Star. Don Simington has the mount for trainer Ellen Williams.