Paz Ciudadana takes Honeymoon Stakes

Bossier City, La - Paz Ciudadana took control onto the backstretch in Saturday's Honeymoon Stakes, dueled defending champion Due to Win Again in submission and proved determined down the lane to win Saturday's feature at Harrah's Louisiana Downs. Yoursmineours finished second followed by longshot Chitchat Chitchat.

Owned by Nelson Bunker Hunt and trained by Steve Asmussen, Paz Ciudadana is a Chilean-bred who began her North American career under the care of Ron McAnally, winning a pair of races on the West Coast last year. Asmussen sent the 5-year-old mare out for the first time in an optional claiming affair at Fair Grounds in March and was rewarded with a win. Her effort on Saturday made amends for a disappointing finish in the Irving Distaff Stakes at Lone Star as the 2-1 favorite in her most recent start. Jose Figueroa, who picked up the mount from Carlos Gonzalez after that rider suffered a broken toe on Friday, piloted the winner to victory. The winning time was 1:35.15 for the mile over a firm John Franks Turf Course. The victory was Paz Ciudadana's fifth from ten starts and she has now won almost $120,000.