Premier Day at Delta Downs

VINTON, La. - Louisiana breds continued a lucrative fall schedule here Saturday night with five stakes restricted to those bred in the Bayou State.

Four weeks following the Louisiana Breeders' Festival at Louisiana Downs and three weeks before Champion's Day at Fair Grounds, state-breds put on a heck of a show on Premier Day at this slots-rejuvenated oval.

Mighty Merlin ($5.00) got things started in the Louisiana Premier Juvenile as he made amends for two disappointing stakes performances following a smashing maiden win to begin his career. Odds-on favorite One Tough Raiser, a multiple stakes winner at Evangeline Downs over the summer, checked in third.

The Starlet Stakes, for 2-year-old fillies, went to Itsmybag ($8.20) who held Kool K. J. safe late to prevail by a length and half. Believe It Is So finished third followed by Ruthy Red.

Zarb's Luck ($7.20) accounted for the Premier Day Sprint in a solid effort under defending riding champ Guy Smith. Believe I'm Special had to settle for second after dueling with the winner most of the way and was followed by Sixty Stars. Favored Hail To Bag contested the early pace only to fade and finish fifth.

Prized Amberpro ($4.60) rallied strongly in the one mile Distaff and drew clear to win by almost seven lengths. Eastern Sun was second followed by Autobesarah.

In the featured $100,000 Premier Championship Stakes, recently named Louisiana Downs Horse-of-the-meeting Walk In The Snow ($4.40) proved too much for top handicap performer and even-money favorite Oak Hall as the Super Derby runner-up drew clear for a 3 1/4-length win.