Louisiana Downs: Carolina Sky does it again

Carolina Sky continued her love affair with the turf course at Louisiana Downs, as she won for the fourth time this meeting in capturing the $100,000 River Cities Breeders' Cup. Candy Ball challenged the winner turning into the straight of the 1 1/16-mile race for fillies and mares but had to settle for second, followed by More than Promised and Space Cruise.

Ridden once again by Lonnie Meche, Carolina Sky ($3.20) cleared soon after the start and set all the pace before being confronted by Candy Ball with a quarter-mile to run. Trained by Morris Nicks, Carolina Sky, was up to the challenge and drew clear by 2 1/2 lengths in a time of 1:41.72 over firm footing.

The win was Carolina Sky's fifth from just six starts, and it followed a win in the Old South Handicap at Louisiana Downs in mid-August. Saturday's payday of $60,000 was the biggest to date for Carolina Sky, a daughter of Sky Classic, and it pushed her career bankroll to more than $135,000.