With prep win in the bag, Southern Liaison stretches out to best distance
Southern Liaison has proven to be a versatile filly with success at both sprint and route distances, and on Friday night she will get back to her best lick for the $70,000 Lookout at Delta Downs.
The two-turn race for Louisiana-bred fillies and mares will be run at 7 1/2 furlongs. It is restricted to non-winners of a stakes race.
Southern Liaison is coming off an allowance win over six furlongs Nov. 27 at Fair Grounds. She was making her first start since September.
“We were able to get a prep in her, because she hadn’t run too much all summer,” said trainer Sam David Jr. “We were real happy to get a race into her.
“I really think she’s better going two turns. I hadn’t been able to run her that often two turns. We just hadn’t been able to get the right races at the right time. She’s had two good mile races – won one handily and got beat a head in a stakes.”
Southern Liaison will break from post 3 under Timothy Thornton.
“It looks like there’s a little speed in there,” David said. “We’re hoping to get a good stalking position. She usually has a pretty good kick. We’re hoping it sets up where she can get a good stalking spot and come and get them.
Thornton was aboard for Southern Liaison’s 7 1/2-length win in a mile allowance in July 2020 at Evangeline Downs.
Southern Liaison is a winner of 5 of 10 starts who races for her breeders, Earl Hernandez, Keith Hernandez, and John Duvieilh. She is a daughter of the Indian Charlie stallion Liaison.
The chief threats in the eight-horse field include Strummer, who is looking for her fourth straight win. She began her streak in April at Delta Downs, winning her maiden in a mile race. Strummer then returned to action in October, winning an entry-level allowance at the same distance at Delta Downs. She’s made one start since, accounting for another conditioned allowance route, on Dec. 4 at Fair Grounds. Gerard Melancon has the mount from post 7 for Oak Tree Stables and trainer Scott Gelner.
Jet Sweep is moving back into the Louisiana-bred ranks after defeating open rivals in a Dec. 11 allowance at Delta Downs.
Dueforadate owns the field’s best last-race Beyer Speed Figure, a 74 for her win over starter-allowance rivals Dec. 16 at Delta Downs.
Tecate Time and Schiff’s Corner have both placed in multiple stakes. The field is completed by allowance winners Miss Charlie Sioux and Suzie’s Dream.