Louisiana Downs: Sera's Tunnel exits key race

Sera’s Tunnel will attempt to become the latest next-out winner to emerge from a very key June race at Louisiana Downs when she starts in a first-level allowance on Saturday.

The one-mile turf race for fillies and mares will go as the fourth. It drew a competitive group that includes up-and-coming 3-year-olds Allure and Like a Lover.

Sera’s Tunnel finished third in an optional $17,500 claiming race in her last start, June 9. The winner, Maggies Ransom, was scheduled to run back Thursday at Louisiana Downs, while three horses who finished behind Sera’s Tunnel returned to win in their next start. Nana Knows and Wings of Joy, who finished fifth and sixth to Maggies Ransom, came back to take $12,500 claiming races at Louisiana Downs, while Fleur de Sel, who was seventh, captured a $20,000 conditioned claimer.

The strength of the June 9 race bodes well for Sera’s Tunnel, as does the fact that as a 4-year-old she has an age edge on chief rivals Allure and Like a Lover. Sera’s Tunnel also owns the field’s best last-race Beyer Speed Figure, a 74. She races for her breeder and trainer, Charlie Hukill.

Allure was third in an $18,000 optional claiming race at Lone Star on July 1, one start after winning a maiden special weight at a mile on turf. Like a Lover comes off a maiden win at about a mile on turf at Louisiana Downs. She is a half-sister to Like a Hero, a stakes winner of more than $450,000.