Grass racing in focus Saturday at Louisiana Downs

Sylvan Hills Boy has compiled a strong record over the Louisiana Downs turf course and will attempt to add to his accomplishments Saturday on a program dedicated exclusively to grass racing. He goes in the third race on a seven-race card that starts at 3:15 p.m. Central.

The forecast appears to be agreeable for the special program, with The Weather Channel calling for a high of 96 degrees and a 20 percent chance of rain. The meet’s first attempt at an all-turf card was in June, but the races had to be moved to the main track courtesy of Mother Nature.

Louisiana Downs is making the program a festive occasion and has brought in Travis Stone, the track’s former announcer who recently called the races at Churchill Downs, to meet with the public. He also will be stepping back into his old booth to call a few races, said Trent McIntosh, an official with Louisiana Downs. There also are plans for food trucks on the apron.

Sylvan Hills Boy will be seeking his second straight win over the Franks course at Louisiana Downs when he goes in the $17,500 optional claimer at a mile. He took a first-level allowance at the same distance in his last start June 22. Sylvan Hills Boy has made nine starts over the Franks course and has finished in the money each time, with two wins. John Jacinto has the mount for Ronald Ball and trainer Al Cates.

The chief rivals include Trim Down, who was edged in a local allowance June 23.

Saturday’s program also includes a maiden special weight for fillies and mares at five furlongs that drew first-time starters from a pair of notable runners. Ixkik is out of Bambera, a multiple Group 1-winning Venezuelan-bred who earned $946,154. She Can Dance is from the mare Doyouwanttodance, a multiple stakes-winning sprinter who banked $185,950.

She Can Dance, by Canadian Frontier, will break from post 3 in the sixth race, and Ixkik, by Impervious, post 4.