Louisiana: Bien Nicole just gets up

BOSSIER CITY, La. - Bien Nicole ($4) stalked the early pace, gained the advantage turning for home and dug in late to prevail by a neck over Due to Win in the $150,000 River Cities Breeders' Cup at Louisiana Downs.

Cleverly handled by Don Pettinger, Bien Nicole picked up her third stakes victory for trainer Donnie Von Hemel and won for the sixth time in 13 lifetime starts. She earned $90,000, which put her over the $215,000 mark in career earnings.

Bien Nicole covered 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.65 over a turf course softened by a brief rain shower earlier in the afternoon.