Got the Last Laugh primed for stakes

Got the Last Laugh will attempt to make his first start for training powerhouse Steve Asmussen a winning one Saturday night in the $60,000 John Henry Stakes at Evangeline Downs. The one-mile headliner, named for the legendary gelding who picked up his first stakes win at the old Evangeline Downs in nearby Carencro, La., drew a field of seven and will be run as the ninth race on the 10-race program.

Trained at the time by Bill Mott, Got the Last Laugh was last seen at Oaklawn Park in early February where he turned in an unplaced effort in the $100,000 Essex Handicap. He has since been training forwardly at the old Evangeline, which is a now a training center and Asmussen's local headquarters. Donnie Meche will handle the riding chores on Got the Last Laugh, owned by Zayat Stables.

Missed the Prom, a speedy son of Menifee, rates a strong threat in his first stakes try for trainer Keith Bourgeois. Claimed by his present connections out of a low-level non-winners-of-three claiming event in late December at Fair Grounds, he has since won a two-turn allowance and a one-mile optional claimer at the recently concluded Delta Downs meeting by a combined 18-plus lengths. Gerard Melancon, aboard for both of those victories, will once again handle the riding chores.

Cozy Time, winner of the Lookout Stakes at Delta in his final start of 2007, returns to the oval where he produced a pair of second-place performances in allowance company last season. Carlos Lozada will ride for trainer Marvin Willits.