Nob Hill Deelite back at best game

BOSSIER CITY, La. - Nob Hill Deelite shortens up to a sprint for Sunday's $50,000 Acadia at Louisiana Downs - meaning his rivals had better be prepared to fend off a powerful closing kick.

A six-furlong race for Louisiana-bred 3-year-olds, the Acadia was originally scheduled to be run Saturday but was canceled because of a lack of entries. A field of five will meet Sunday, including stakes winners Here Tiger and Night Doc.

Nob Hill Deelite will be cutting back from 1 1/8 miles for the Acadia. He last raced on April 15, finishing fifth to Lawyer Ron in the Grade 2, $1 million Arkansas Derby. He was freshened following that race, and trainer Pat Mouton feels Nob Hill Deelite is sharp for the turn-back Sunday.

"I think he'll be fine," he said. "It's been long enough, and I've been able to work him and do the things I wanted to do with him, so I think he'll be okay."

Nob Hill Deelite has worked well for the Acadia, his latest move a half-mile drill in 48.20 seconds May 13. He has a 5-for-7 record at Louisiana Downs.

Nob Hill Deelite won four straight races here from October to January. Among his victories were the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Juvenile at six furlongs on Dec. 10, the $80,000 Louisiana Futurity at six furlongs on Dec. 31, and the $100,000 Crescent City Derby at 1 1/16 miles on Jan. 21.

E.J. Perrodin has the mount on Nob Hill Deelite, who will break from post 5.

"I think he'll be where he normally is in a sprint race," said Mouton. "He'll be about five or six off of it."

Here Tiger has speed, the rail, and returns to Louisiana Downs, site of his biggest races. He won the Southern Beau and Stardust here last year, and also ran second against open company in the Sugar Bowl during the Fair Grounds meet here. Trainer Steve Asmussen has given the mount to Luis Quinonez.

Grant County beat open company in his last start, when he won a six-furlong entry-level allowance by four lengths and earned a Beyer Figure of 91, the highest last-race number in the Acadia. Trainer Pamela Simpson has given the mount to Jeff Burningham.

Others of interest in the field include stakes winner Night Doc and Carson Bay.

Paz Ciudadana to WinStar Distaff

Paz Ciudadana was scratched from the $50,000 Honeymoon at Louisiana Downs earlier this month when it was moved to the main track because of inclement weather. She will make her next start at Lone Star, said her trainer, Steve Asmussen.

Asmussen is pointing Paz Ciudadana to the Grade 3, $200,000 WinStar Distaff for fillies and mares on turf May 29. She is one of two stakes winners he has for the race. Asmussen said recent allowance winner My Misty Princess is also eyeing the WinStar.

Stakes next for True Tails?

True Tails is one of the quickest fillies in the region. She jumped out to the lead through an opening quarter in 21.30 seconds in the third race Friday and was never challenged from there, winning the 5 1/2-furlong optional claimer under a hand ride. Carlos Gonzalez rode True Tails ($2.60) for trainer Cole Norman.

The next sprint stakes on the calendar for her division is the $50,000 Suthern Accent on June 24.