Lord Vicar has stakes credential

BOSSIER CITY, La. - Lord Vicar, second in the $135,000 Texas Thoroughbred Association Sales Futurity at Lone Star in his last start, should rule a strong choice in Sunday's Pioneer Stakes at Louisiana Downs. That one effort represents the total amount of stakes experience of the entire field in the meeting's first major event for 2-year-olds. A field of seven will run five furlongs for a $40,000 purse.

After running fourth at first asking over a muddy Lone Star Park oval to begin his career, made a strong statement in his next start, winning his qualifying trial for the futurity impressively. In the finals on June 11, he helped set a blistering pace and led narrowly past the furlong pole. He gave ground grudgingly in the late going to finish 2 1/2 lengths behind the winner, Forrest G., while outrunning his 13-1 price. A son of Vicar trained by Bubba Cascio, Lord Vicar should be a much shorter price Sunday. Regular rider Larry Taylor makes the journey over from Lone Star to handle the riding chores.

Five of the six remaining members in the cast of the Pioneer come off a maiden score.

was perhaps the most impressive of these recent graduates, drawing clear last Saturday to win by 5 1/2 lengths. A gelded son of Mystery Storm, he has been an adventuresome project for trainer Larry Robideaux.

Stormynightntexas was originally scheduled to begin his career in early June but ran off during the post parade and was scratched. He was rambunctious before the start again last weekend but managed to channel most of that energy into business after the starting bell, quickly getting clear of six rivals en route to a clocking of 53 seconds for the 4 1/2 furlongs. Leading rider John Jacinto will once again be in the saddle.

, a winner at first asking by more than 12 lengths here on May 20 at 23-1, will attempt to take his act up to another level. An Arkansas-bred, he is trained by David Morris.

Don't Tell Mommy and Rowdy Profit both earned their diplomas at first asking, each drawing clear down the stretch and earning identical Beyer Speed Figures of 58.

It took Kubwa, a son of Souvenir Copy trained by Carl Deville, two starts to join the ranks of winners, but he displayed considerable gameness to prevail narrowly on May 27 against Louisiana-breds.

First-time starter Coalhouse completes the field of the Pioneer. Trainer Jerry Hardin has also entered Coalhouse in a maiden race on the undercard.