Lone Star Special takes Incredible Ease

BOSSIER CITY, La - Overcoming traffic trouble late on the turn, Lone Star Special made his turf debut a winning one in Saturday's $50,000 Incredible Ease Stakes at Louisiana Downs, one of four turf stakes on the afternoon. The favored Mr Bubba finished second by 1 1/4 lengths, followed by Friday Meeting.

Trained by Danny Pish and ridden by Quincy Hamilton, Lone Star Special ($17.40) was forced to steady in tight quarters with just over a quarter-mile remaining in the five-furlong dash for 3-year-olds before rallying strongly when clear the final furlong. A son of Malabar Gold, Lone Star Special covered the distance in 57.97 seconds over firm going.

In the 31st running of the Barksdale for 3-year-olds and older at 7 1/2 furlongs, Forty Acres ($6.60) was allowed to set pedestrian fractions of 25.87 and 49.81 seconds before drawing clear to win by three lengths. Got the Last Laugh was second, a head in front of Air Lord. The 2004 Barksdale winner, Waupaca, was scratched by the stewards upon the advice of the track blacksmith for being improperly shod. The winner is trained by Jorge Lara and was ridden by Lonnie Meche. The final time was 1:31.67

The Beach Party went to another front-runner as Steamy Ridge ($23.60) set all the pace in the five-furlong dash for 3-year-old fillies. A daughter of Snow Ridge trained by Wes Hawley, Steamy Ridge was making her first ever start on the grass after posting 2 wins from 5 previous dirt tries. She drew clear to win by 4 1/4 lengths in a time of 57.28 seconds, ridden to victory by Don Simington.

Nice Inheritance ($12) turned in a solid rally down the lane under Lonnie Meche to capture the Top Courage by 1 1/2 expanding lengths over favored Pleasantly Blessed. The winner is trained by Steve Asmussen and won for the fifth time in 18 starts. She covered the 7 1/2 furlongs in 1:29.87.