New style for Forest Landing

Trainer Jack Bruner is not afraid to try something new with a horse. Last month, he won a tough two-turn turf race with confirmed turf sprinter Runaway Choice. This Friday at Louisiana Downs, he will attempt to do the same with Forest Landing.

Forest Landing was considered a promising dirt sprinter last year with three straight wins between Fair Grounds and Churchill Downs. But now he looks like the chief threat to favorite Rockchalk Jayhawk in the featured sixth race, a 1 1/16-mile turf allowance that carries an optional claiming price of $75,000.

In his last start, on July 11, Forest Landing moved from seven furlongs on dirt to two turns and turf for the first time, and ran a big second to stakes winner and front-runner Fly Slama Jama.

"That horse shook loose and nobody could get to him," Bruner said of Fly Slama Jama.

Bruner is hopeful there will be more pace in the race Friday. Red Hawkeye and Wolf Trick like to be on or near the lead, while Mauk Four will be stretching out from 6 1/2 furlongs.

Forest Landing got a much more comfortable pace scenario in his two-turn debut. He is a son of Forest Wildcat, and out of the winning Woodman mare Arctic Interlude. He races for Tom Durant and will be ridden by Corey Lanerie.

The horse to beat is Rockchalk Jayhawk, a stakes winner who won an optional claimer last out at Louisiana Downs. He has fared well against some tough rivals all spring and summer, including a second-place finish to eventual $200,000 Dallas Turf Cup winner Maysville Slew in an allowance in April. Luis Quinonez has the mount for Stan Wilson and trainer Donnie Von Hemel.

Racing exhibit to debut in fall

"Win, Place or Show," an exhibit chronicling the history of racing in Louisiana, will debut on Oct. 10 and run through the end of November. It can be seen at the Louisiana State Museum Building on Greenwood Road in Shreveport.

The display will include memorabilia from such Louisiana-bred jockeys as Eddie Delahoussaye, Randy Romero, and Kent Desormeaux. Trainers from the state will also be recognized as part of the exhibit, as will Louisiana's top Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses.

The display is being sponsored by the Louisiana Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association.