Louisiana Downs notes: Beverly Belle faces tough allowance group on Friday

BOSSIER CITY, La. - Friday’s allowance feature at Louisiana Downs drew seven of the best Louisiana-bred fillies and mares in the state. The $32,000 headliner at a mile on the turf carries no conditions other than the statebred and sex restrictions and is a prep for the $50,000 Honeymoon Stakes, slated for June 2.

Beverly Belle, the 40-1 winner of the Red Camelia Stakes at Fair Grounds in her most recent start, will be looking to extend her recent success. A 7-year-old daughter of Far Out Wadleigh, Beverly Belle has reinvented herself after returning to action last December following an 18-month hiatus. Trainer Bret Calhoun has given the call on Friday to Chris Rosier.

Divine Lorretta, third to Beverly Belle in the Camelia and a two-time winner in optional claiming company this year at Fair Grounds, returns to the turf course that has produced four top-two finishes in just five starts for her the last couple of seasons. Defending riding champ Richard Eramia will ride for trainer James Hodges.

Others in the race include the multiple stakes winner Vickies in Town, winner of the 2010 edition of the Honeymoon, and Warrior Maid, who won the $150,000 Premier Distaff over a muddy Delta strip in early February. Warrior Maid could be particularly formidable should the rainy weather this week force Friday’s feature to the main track.

Jockey C.J. McMahon injured

C.J. McMahon,17, the leading rider at Evangeline Downs through the first three weeks of the stand, broke his left leg in a training accident last Saturday morning and is expected to miss six to eight weeks, according to his agent, Tony Martin.

“It was just one of those freak things that happen,” said Martin. “ The surgery to repair the leg Saturday afternoon went well. He’s young so he should heal quickly.”