Monte Man pointing for Louisiana Cup Sprint

Monte Man, who won his fifth consecutive race Saturday night in the $75,000 Louisiana Legends Sprint at Evangeline Downs, is now a candidate for the $50,000 Louisiana Cup Sprint on Aug. 4 at Louisiana Downs, trainer Ron Faucheux said.

The Louisiana Cup, like the Legends Sprint, is restricted to horses bred in Louisiana.

“I think we’ll probably go right into the race at Louisiana Downs on Aug. 4,” Faucheux said. “We’ll probably go in that, and then we’ll have a little gap after that. We talked about maybe going to another track outside the state for one race.”

Monte Man has not lost a race in Louisiana. He was a $25,000 claim last October at Belmont Park by Ivery Sisters Racing. Since returning to Louisiana, he has won a pair of optional claimers at Fair Grounds, the $120,000 Premier Night Sprint at Delta Downs, the $60,000 Costa Rising at Fair Grounds, and the Legends Sprint.

“We’re fortunate to have him in the barn,” said Faucheux, who is based at Evangeline Downs Training Center in Lafayette, La.

Monte Man earned a Beyer Figure of 85 for his win at Evangeline. Faucheux noted the horse “missed the break” in the 5 1/2-furlong race and put in a “powerful run” to win by 1 3/4 lengths.

“He’s run real consistent numbers,” Faucheux said. “If he keeps that up, he should continue to be really tough in that division.”

Monte Man is by Custom for Carlos and he launched his career at Aqueduct.