Louisiana Downs: Top Cat Boogie goes gate to wire Louisiana Cup Derby

Top Cat Boogie continued his domination of the 3-year-old Louisiana-bred ranks Saturday, when he won his fourth stakes race of the year in the $75,000 Louisiana Cup Derby at Louisiana Downs. He wired the field in the 1 1/16-mile race and won by 1 1/4 lengths over Fate’s Right Hand.

The Louisiana Cup Derby was one of eight divisional stakes for Louisiana-breds on the card. In all, the races were worth a cumulative $570,000.

Top Cat Boogie ($5) was winning his third straight stakes in the derby behind the $50,000 Rajun Cajun and $100,000 Louisiana Legends Mile at Evangeline Downs in June. In Saturday’s race, Top Cat Boogie was clear through fractions of 24.38 seconds for the opening quarter, 48.73 for the half-mile, and 1:12.93 for six furlongs before winning on a track rated fast in 1:44.89.

Randall Toups was aboard for Circle H Farms and trainer Alan Klanfer. Top Cat Boogie earned $45,000 for the win, which was his sixth from 11 starts. He now has career earnings of $268,198. Top Cat Boogie is a son of the Storm Cat stallion Big Top Cat.

Three-bagger for Eramia

Warrior Maid ($16.40) gave leading rider Richard Eramia his third stakes win on the card when she rallied for a three-length win over Harlie’s Dream in the $60,000 Filly and Mare Sprint. The winner covered six furlongs in 1:11.15. Eric Heitzmann trains Warrior Maid for Russell Welch.

Eramia’s first winner came aboard Amanecer de Oro ($4.40), who led throughout to win the $60,000 Sprint by 1 1/2 lengths over Tortuga Straits. The winner covered six furlongs on a fast track in 1:09.86. Steven Duke trains Amanecer de Oro for Northpointe Thoroughbreds.

Eramia also won the $50,000 Juvenile, when he guided Palmy Bay ($8.40) to a three-quarter-length score over Mr. Bandini’s Band. Palmy Bay won the six-furlong race in 1:11.68. Patrick Mouton trains Palmy Bay, a son of Lydgate, for Steve and Pat Roe.

Sadie’s Soldier closes to win Classic

Sadie’s Soldier closed from 12 lengths back to win the $100,000 Classic by a half-length over String King. It was another half-length back in third to Heavenville. Sadie’s Soldier ($13.20) raced in ninth early, advanced, and closed well to cover the 1 1/16 miles on good turf in 1:43.59. Kerwin Clark was aboard for Harry L. Benoit and trainer Brett Brinkman. Sadie’s Soldier has now won 7 of 18 starts and $276,912.

* Miss Goodthing ($6.80) darted to a five-length win over Like a Doc in the $50,000 Juvenile Fillies. It was another length back in third to She Loves Runnin’. The winner covered six furlongs in 1:10.84. Mark Guidry rode Miss Goodthing for Richard L. Davis and trainer Steve Asmussen.

* She’s Prado’s Idol ($8.20) edged pacesetter Midge Four by a neck to win the $75,000 Oaks. It was another four lengths back in third to Little Ms Protocol. The winner covered the 1 1/16 miles in 1:44.74. Tracy Hebert was aboard She’s Prado’s Idol for owner-trainer Garland Goins.

* Pretty Not ($44.80) pulled off the biggest upset of the afternoon, when she closed fast to catch 4-5 favorite and pacesetter Ladyzarbridge for a half-length win in the $100,000 Distaff. The winner covered the 1 1/16 miles on good turf in 1:44.61. Don Simington was aboard for trainer Pamela Simpson, who owns the mare with her husband, Al.