Hear No Angel rallies in Cocodrie

Trainer Steve Asmussen opened 2010 with a stakes win Friday night at Delta Downs, when Hear No Angel rallied up the rail for a neck victory in the $75,000 Cocodrie. The horse's score comes on the heels of a 2009 in which Asmussen led all North American-based trainers in wins and earnings. Dessy finished second in the Cocodrie, which was restricted to horses bred in Louisiana.

The race shared a card with the $75,000 Gardenia won by Intimissimi ($5).

Hear No Angel ($6.40) was moving back to two turns for the Cocodrie, which was for 4-year-olds and up who had never won a stakes. He raced next to last in the early stages as Bide and Dessy set the pace, then was up late to cover the one-mile on a fast track in 1:40.70.

Gerard Melancon was aboard Hear No Angel for Heiligbrodt Racing Stable. The horse has now won 4 of 7 starts and $136,920.

Intimissimi was a neck winner over Southpine in the Gardenia, a one-mile race for statebred fillies and mares. It was another 8 1/2 lengths back in third to favorite Vickies In Town.

Intimissimi covered the distance in 1:41.34 while winning for the ninth time in her 19-race career. Leading rider Diego Saenz was aboard for owner and trainer Brent Kennedy.