Halo Cat takes Kings Court

BOSSIER CITY, La. - Halo Cat upset 2-5 favorite Beau's Town by 4.25 lengths Friday in the $50,000 Kings Court Stakes, opening day feature at Louisiana Downs. It was another 3.25 lengths back in third to Ski Bum.

Halo Cat($9.20) was prominent throughout the Kings Court, then drew clear in the stretch under Gerard Melancon. He covered six furlongs over a fast track in 1:09.40.

The win was the fourth straight victory for Halo Cat, who won two Lone Star Park allowances and the $30,000 Manor Downs Sprint Classic leading into the Kings Court.

"He's been a steadily improving horse," said Mike Mareina, who trains Halo Cat for Kuehne Racing.

Halo Cat has now won 6 of 15 starts, and the $30,000 he earned for the win Friday improved his bankroll to $146,395.

Beau's Town, who had won six consecutive races heading into the Kings Court, pushed the pace throughout while racing three wide.

Attendance for the opening day program was 6,440. Handle on the 11-race card was $2,286,001.