Mr. Al's Gal runs away with Louisiana Futurity win

Mr. Al’s Gal had run well at Evangeline Downs in her career debut and decently at Delta Downs in her second start, but she really excelled at Fair Grounds on Saturday in the $100,800 fillies division of the Louisiana Futurity.

Taking the lead soon after the start, Mr. Al’s Gal went clear at the top of the homestretch and ran by herself to the wire, crossing the finish 12 3/4 lengths in front of her nearest pursuer while running six furlongs in a strong 1:10.64.

Richard Eramia rode the winner for trainer Justin Jeansonne, who won his first stakes race with his second such starter. Rodney Virgadamo and Keith Bonura own Mr. Al’s Gal, a daughter of Salute the Sarge and the Spanish Steps mare Spanish Ice, who was purchased at auction for a mere $1,000.

A half-length winner of her debut last summer, Mr. AL’s Gal finished second at Delta in allowance competition the start before her romp in the Futurity.

Princess Samurai finished second, Quarter Carat was third, and favored Sharp Henny was fourth.

Mr. Al’s Gal ran more than one second faster than Jack Snipe’s two races later, when he narrowly won the $100,000 colts and geldings division of the Futurity. Trained by Gary Scherer, who co-owns the gelding with Jeff Drown, Jack Snipe's got a favorable trip from a wide draw under Donnie Meche, and turned back a mid-stretch bid from Runaway Ralph to gamely win by a neck.

Street Honor finished third, two lengths behind Runaway Ralph.

Jack Snipe's, by Half Ours and out of Rhodelia, by Silver Deputy, ran well in two races this past summer at Canterbury Park, and was coming off two third-place finishes, the most recent in the Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile, facing Louisiana-bred stakes horses. Winning for the third time in six starts, he was timed in 1:11.68 for six furlongs on a “good” main track and paid $5.40 as the favorite.