Louisiana Downs: Zarb's Dahar still going at 11

Zarb’s Dahar has not missed a Louisiana Downs meet for the last eight seasons and looks to make it nine meets in a row Saturday, when he runs in the featured second race, a $25,000 optional claiming sprint at six furlongs. It will be Zarb’s Dahar’s first start in a year, and he will be a longshot in the eight-horse field, which is led by Don’t Shoot and Royal Hay Patch.

Zarb’s Dahar, an 11-year-old gelding who has earned $586,182, has registered 16 of his 17 career victories at Louisiana Downs. He made his first local start Oct. 16, 2003, and was seventh in a maiden special weight. But the next year, Zarb’s Dahar went 6 for 6 locally in a season that was topped by a win in the Cajun Stakes. He won three more stakes at Louisiana Downs in 2005, including the Thanksgiving Handicap and Louisiana Champions Day Sprint that were run at the Bossier City, La., track instead of Fair Grounds because of Hurricane Katrina.

Zarb’s Dahar would go on to win at least one race at Louisiana Downs in 2006, 2007, and 2009. The feature Saturday will be his first out since July 25, 2010, when he was fifth in a $5,000 claimer at Louisiana Downs. Zarb’s Dahar jumps up in class for his return and worked a near bullet from the gate in 1:01.40 in his final prep Aug. 20. Chris Rosier has the mount for Sandi and Lee Driscoll and trainer Cliff Haydel.

Louisiana Downs raced as scheduled Thursday, a day after high winds led to six large panes of glass being shattered in the grandstand. The track also lost an apron canopy, said an official with Louisiana Downs.