Key West Breeze set to step up

BOSSIER CITY, La. - Key West Breeze, a 3-year-old now in the care of perennial local training champ Cole Norman, appears ready to take another step through his conditions in Friday's allowance feature. He will square off against six rivals and travel six furlongs in quest of the $25,500 purse.

A son of Hennessy, showed immediate promise last year as a juvenile, just missing in his debut at Churchill Downs in late May while drawing heavy play at the betting windows. He then won his next start convincingly in maiden company as the favorite. Trainer Patrick Byrne then shipped the promising youngster north to Woodbine, where he finished second in the $135,000 Colin Stakes at 2-5 on the tote board. That was the last time Key West Breeze raced at 2, and it was eight months before he was seen again.

Resurfacing in late March at Oaklawn Park, now trained by John Servis, Key West Breeze was entered in a $32,000 claiming affair. Always watchful at the claim box, Norman claimed Key West Breeze, a $95,000 yearling purchase, for Marie Troncone. A fifth-place finish followed in a first-level allowance race at Lone Star Park. In his most recent start, Key West Breeze made his local debut and finished a solid second, earning a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 79. Leading rider Carlos Gonzalez will take over the riding chores on Key West Breeze, the likely heavy favorite.

, who saw a three-race win steak snapped in his turf debut in his last start, returns to the main track Friday and appears to be the major obstacle for Key West Breeze. A 4-year-old Arkansas-bred son of Caracey trained by David Morris, Easy Luck began his string of successes against fellow Arkansas-breds at Oaklawn in March. He then moved into open company and defeated a nonwinners-of-three claiming field before pulling off the upset in a starter allowance event here in early May. Belen Quinonez has the return call.

Perret to be inducted to state's hall

Retired jockey and Louisiana native Craig Perret is to be inducted into the Louisiana Sports Hall of Fame in ceremonies Saturday night in nearby Natchitoches, La.

Perret will join seven other Louisiana sporting legends, including basketball great Rick Robey, who will be introduced by trainer D. Wayne Lukas. Tickets for the induction ceremony at Prather Coliseum are available by calling (318) 357-6467.