Northern Scene stays hot on LaD lawn

BOSSIER CITY, La. - Northern Scene kept his local turf record for the year perfect on Sunday as he defeated older rivals in the Sport City Handicap.

Fellow longshot Rockchalk Jayhawk turned in a late run to finish second followed by Gentlemen J J. Favorite Crowned King failed to fire and reported home fifth while starting highweight Honorable Pick set some lively fractions before fading to finish seventh and last.

Trained by Morris Nicks, Northern Scene ($21.60) has made remarkable progress for owner Don Eberts since beginning the meeting as a maiden.

After joining the ranks on winners here May 21, the 3-year-old son of Northern Baby had two subsequent races rained off the grass before finally returning to that surface in his last start. He proved victorious by a narrow margin in an optional claiming affair and earned his first stakes appearance in the Sport City.

Ridden by Francisco Torres, who accounted for Louisiana Stakes Double over the weekend with a victory in the Matron Stakes at Evangeline on Due to Win Saturday night, Northern Scene has now won four of his nine career starts and has earned just over $80,000. He covered the mile and a sixteenth distance in 1:42.01 over a firm Franks Turf Course.