Laughingsaintssong a convincing winner in Louisiana Cup Sprint

Laughingsaintssong won the $50,000 Louisiana Cup Sprint by 5 1/2 lengths over State Treasurer on Saturday at Louisiana Downs as the state’s reigning horse of the year, Monte Man, rallied for fourth after a troubled trip. The race was one of seven stakes on the card, with six of them restricted to horses bred in Louisiana.

Laughingsaintssong ($22.60) pressed leader Wonder Run through an opening quarter in 22.52 seconds, took over through a half-mile in 44.88, and was clear through the stretch while covering six furlongs on a fast track in 1:10.07. It was the second straight win for the horse, who accounted for an Evangeline Downs allowance by a length on July 18.

“Last time I rode him I got to know him,” said winning jockey Colby Hernandez said on the simulcast feed from Louisiana Downs. “He repeated with a better performance today.”

Monte Man, the 4-5 favorite looking for his second straight stakes win behind the Louisiana Legends Sprint at Evangeline Downs, stumbled at the start and was later forced to check when hitting traffic on the turn. He was guided outside of rivals, and closed for fourth. Monte Man had won last year’s Louisiana Cup Sprint.

Laughingsaintssong is a son of Songandaprayer who races for Rodney Verret and is trained by Allen Landry. He has now won 8 of 21 starts and earned $239, 910.

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The stakes Saturday at Louisiana Downs – including the Prelude won by Leader of Men ($18.80) – were worth a total of $360,000. The Prelude was the local prep for the Grade 3, $300,000 Super Derby on Sept. 7.

The Louisiana Cup races opened with Scotty Boy ($21) rolling by 8 1/2 over 1-2 favorite Pickens in the $50,000 Juvenile. The winner covered six furlongs in 1:11.46. Alex Castillo was aboard Scotty Boy for Ronnie Ward, who owns and trains the son of Fast Anna.

First U Make Aroux ($8.80) remained undefeated in two starts when Hall of Fame rider Edgar Prado guided her to a 2 1/4-length win over pacesetter and favorite Sarah’s Passion in the $50,000 Juvenile Fillies. First U Make Aroux covered six furlongs in 1:12.40. Justin Jeansonne trains the daughter of Due Date for Cheryl Dendy and Dennis Dendy.

Is Too ($3.40) won her second straight stakes race when she held off Bermuda Star by a half-length in the $50,000 Distaff. Last month, Is Too defeated open company in the $50,000 Opelousas, an off-the-turf stakes at Evangeline Downs. The Distaff was run on the grass Saturday, and Is Too covered 1 1/16 miles on firm ground in 1:42.21. Colby Hernandez was aboard the daughter of Midshipman for Baronne Farms and trainer Edward Johnston.

Theoryintopractice ($3.20) won his second straight race over the John Franks course at Louisiana Downs when he edged past In the Navy for a neck win over that one in the $50,000 Turf Classic. The winner covered the 1 1/16 miles on firm ground in a quick 1:40.87. Richard Eramia was aboard Theoryintopractice, a son of Into Mischief, for Courtney Barousse and trainer Steve Asmussen.

Diamond Cutter ($23) closed out the card with a determined, 3 1/2-length win over Tensas Thought in the $50,000 Filly and Mare Sprint, covering six furlongs in 1:10.96. Joel Dominguez was aboard the daughter of Salute the Sarge for World War IV Racing and trainer Dwight Viator.

There will be a $287,997 carryover in the jackpot pick six pool when racing resumes Monday.