Louisiana Downs: Bold Recruit seeks rebound

Bold Recruit, beaten at odds-on in his last two starts, will seek to make amends in Friday’s feature at Louisiana Downs. Trained by Bret Calhoun, he won his first start in front-running fashion on opening weekend at Louisiana Downs in early May, but has had trouble taking the next step through his conditions, finishing second and third in his two tries since. He appears to be the controlling speed in the headliner at six furlongs. Carlos Gonzalez will once again be in the saddle on Bold Recruit, who had the fastest of 43 half-mile workouts on July 16, getting the distance in 48 seconds flat.

Very Possebull returns to action for trainer Al Stall Jr. after being off since early June. He pressed the early pace and finished second in a second-level allowance last out. Very Possebull graduated earlier in the year at Fair Grounds and has lost his three starts since. Justin Shepherd will ride.

◗ Beginning on Aug. 12, Louisiana Downs will reformulate the way purses are distributed. Currently, only the first five finish positions earn money. In two weeks, each finish position from sixth through last will receive $80. The remaining money will be distributed 60 percent to first, 20 percent to second, 11 percent to third, 6 percent to fourth and 3 percent to fifth. The new formulation is through an agreement with the Louisiana Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Associaiton.