Monte Man right at home in Louisiana

Sweet home Louisiana.

Monte Man has fit right into the Pelican State program since relocating from New York, and on Saturday night he will be seeking to win his fifth straight race in Louisiana when he runs in the $75,000 Louisiana Legends Sprint at Evangeline Downs.

“He’s a Louisiana-bred . . . this is where he’s meant to be for sure,” said trainer Ron Faucheux.

The Sprint, which is for 3-year-olds and up at 5 1/2 furlongs, is one of seven statebred stakes on a card worth $600,000.

Monte Man was a $25,000 claim last October at Belmont Park. To that point, he had raced only in New York. He was claimed by the Ivery Sisters Racing stable, which Brian Ivery operates with his wife and three daughters, said Faucheux. Ivery is based in New York.

“I was visiting him up in Saratoga over the summer and we saw the horse at Saratoga when he won,” Faucheux said. “We said, ‘We’ve got to keep our eye on him because he’s a Louisiana-bred.’”

Since being haltered and returning to Louisiana, Monte Man has won a pair of optional claiming races at Fair Grounds, and also captured the $120,000 Premier Night Sprint at Delta Downs and the $60,000 Costa Rising on turf at Fair Grounds.

The Sprint will be the horse’s first start since winning the Costa Rising on March 24.

“There’s not a whole lot in between,” said Faucheux. “We ran him consistently over the winter, and figured two months between races would actually be perfect for him.”

Louisiana Legends Night is the richest program of the meet at Evangeline.