Richey thriving with 3-year-olds
Trainer Tony Richey has been on a tear at Louisiana Downs, with much of his success coming with 3-year-olds. Over the last few weeks, he has sent out Debris to win the $100,000 Louisiana Cup Oaks, Productive Envoy to finish second in the $100,000 Louisiana Cup Derby, and Arctic Comet to win a maiden special weight. All three horses could be headed next to the Louisiana Showcase card at Evangeline Downs on July 3.
Richey said Debris is on deck for the $75,000 Mile for 3-year-old fillies bred in Louisiana. It will be a rare two-turn start for the filly, who was a front-running winner of the Louisiana Cup Oaks at seven furlongs May 22.
"She ran a great race," said Richey, noting the quick fractions Debris set en route to her win. "And then she galloped out in front of everybody. She galloped out very strong, so you sure would like to think she could carry it another eighth of a mile. She just seems like she could the way she ran that race."
Debris earned a career-high Beyer of 90. She won her debut last fall at Monmouth Park and two starts ago was claimed for $20,000 by Israel Flores Horses.
Productive Envoy, a stakes winner at two turns, runs in the $75,000 Mile for 3-year-olds bred in Louisiana. Arctic Comet, who was a late-running winner over seven furlongs Thursday, could also run back in the Mile, Richey said. Both horses race for Oak Leaf Stable.
Richey is tied for second in the trainer standings at Louisiana Downs, winning with 9 of 46 starters through Thursday. He enters the meet off a strong 2009-2010 season at Delta Downs, where he won 44 races from 133 starters for stable earnings of $781,370.
"From there, it's just trickled over here," Richey said. "The good Lord is looking after us. I'd have to characterize the last two years as the best I've ever had."
Richey's stable earned a career-high $1,105,964 in 2009, when he won 56 races. This year, his barn has already won 38 races and $686,154. Richey has 40 horses at Louisiana Downs.
* Good Human Bean, who in her last start won a maiden special weight by 14 lengths, returns Sunday in the seventh race at Louisiana Downs. Larry Taylor has the mount for trainer Al Stall Jr.