In the Navy impresses in Frank L. Brothers Stakes

In the Navy ran the race of his career Saturday, when he barreled home by 3 1/2 lengths in a quickly run $60,000 Frank L. Brothers Stakes at Louisiana Downs. The race – previously known as the Unbridled – drew a comebacking Group 1 winner in Kurilov and the defending winner in Big Changes.

But it was all about In the Navy. He set the pace and powered home, covering 1 1/16 miles on firm turf in 1:40.51. Late Nite Mischief rallied for second, while it was another length and three-quarters back to Theoryintopractice in third.

The Frank L. Brothers was one of six turf stakes supporting the card’s Grade 3, $300,000 Super Derby won by Rotation. The seven stakes were worth a total of $660,000. The program was the richest of the meet at Louisiana Downs.

In the Navy ($17.40) had some close calls coming into the Frank L. Brothers. He had run second by a neck in the Louisiana Cup Turf Classic on Aug. 3 at Louisiana Downs and before that was fourth, beaten a half-length as the favorite, in the John Henry at Evangeline Downs and second, beaten a head, in the same track’s Louisiana Legends Turf.

For the race Saturday, the Louisiana-bred In the Navy was returning to open company and he took charge from the bell, setting fractions of 23.79 seconds for the opening quarter, 47.92 for the half-mile, and 1:11.42 for six furlongs. In the stretch he began to separate himself from his rivals.

“He pretty well did it on his own,” said winning jockey Floyd Wethey Jr.

Wethey said he was riding for the first time at Louisiana Downs.

Scott Gelner trains In the Navy for the horse’s breeder, Ken Standlee. In the Navy is a son of Midshipman and prior to the Frank L. Brothers his other career stakes win had come in the 2018 edition of the Louisiana Cup Turf Classic at Louisiana Downs. The gelding who is 5, has now won 7 of 27 starts for earnings of $255,590.

Kurilov, who was making his first start since September 2018, finished fourth, while Big Changes, who broke from post 11, finished fifth. Louisiana Downs renamed the race this year for Brothers, the former trainer turned bloodstock agent who was part of the first class inducted into the new Louisiana Downs Hall of Fame in July.

Deviant wins Sunday Silence, High on Gin takes Happy Ticket

Deviant won the second stakes race of his career in the $60,000 Sunday Silence, a 7 1/2-furlong turf race for 2-year-olds. His victory came on the heels of his romping win in the El Joven last month at Retama Park.

Deviant ($3) was content to settle off the pace, riding the rail as leader Crimson Zip dueled through fractions of 24.51 seconds for the opening quarter, 47.82 for the half-mile, and 1:11.74 for six furlongs. Deviant was angled out into the stretch and moved past the leaders, going on to a two-length victory over Free Indeed. It was another nose back to Sea Bee Salute in third.

The winner covered the distance in 1:29.96.

Lane Luzzi was aboard for Red Lane Throughbreds and trainer Danny Pish. Deviant is a son of Daredevil.

In the $60,000 Happy Ticket for 2-year-old fillies, High On Gin and jockey Devin Magnon recorded their first career stakes wins when the pair rallied for a two-length victory over Cedar Hall. It was another 3 1/4 lengths back to Envied in third.

High On Gin ($49.20) improved her record to 2 for 2, having captured her career debut in a maiden special weight Aug. 21 at Evangeline. Magnon also was aboard for that race.

“She’s a racehorse,” he said. “Nothing bothers her.”

High On Gin settled off pacesetter Cedar Hall through a half-mile in 48.24 seconds, advanced and went on to cover the 7 1/2 furlongs in 1:30.21.

Carl Deville trains the daughter of Fury Kapcori for Jerry Caroom.

► Eskenformore ($62) rushed up the rail to catch Dagny and win the $60,000 River Cities by three-quarters of a length over that one, covering 1 1/16 miles in the race for fillies and mares in 1:41.66. Carlos Lozada was aboard the daughter of Eskendereya for Sugarland Thoroughbreds and trainer Jim Hodges.

► Run Rocket ($7.60), by Run Production, was a three-quarter-length winner of the $60,000 A.L. “Red" Erwin for 3-year-olds bred in Louisiana, covering the mile in 1:35.73. Eguard Tejera was aboard for Margaret Haas and trainer Beverly Burress.

► Net a Bear ($23), by Awesome Bet, was a three-quarter-length winner of the $60,000 Elge Rasberry for 3-year-old fillies bred in Louisiana, covering the mile in 1:36.45. Tim Thornton was aboard for Maximo Lamarche and Federico Deltoro and trainer Allen Landry.