Nowndforevermore rallies to win

Nowndforevermore emerged from behind a wall of horses in the stretch to run down the leaders and win the $50,000 John Franks Memorial on the opening-day card Friday at Louisiana Downs in Bossier City, La. The race was one of two Louisiana-bred turf stakes on the program, with Tensas Yucatan leading throughout to win the $50,000 Honeymoon.

Nowndforevermore ($8.20) lagged behind the pace set by Classy Deelites and Willist, who alternated the lead through six furlongs in 1:13. Nowndforevermore rallied past the wall of five horses in the stretch and covered the mile on good turf in 1:37.31. He won by a length over Snug and Lee's Spirit, who finished in a dead heat for second. Gerard Melancon rode Nowndforevermore for Hardy Farms and trainer Keith Bourgeois.

It was the second straight win for the horse, who took a turf allowance over Costa Rising at Evangeline Downs on May 1.

Honeymoon: Tensas Yucatan all the way

Tensas Yucatan ($3.80) moved to the lead soon after the start of the Honeymoon, and raced uncontested through an opening six furlongs in 1:12.80. In the lane she sprinted home, covering the distance in 1:36.62. Patrick Valenzuela was aboard Tensas Yucatan, who won by four and three quarter lengths over Zarb's Ballerina. It was another three-quarters of a length back in third to Tortuga Flats. Tensas Yucatan was making her first start since a March 29 win in the $60,000 Red Camelia at Fair Grounds. Morris Nicks trains the mare for James C. Spence.