Robideaux readies Kentucky invasion

Louisiana Downs-based trainer Larry Robideaux Jr. seems to make at least one trip a year to Kentucky for stakes races with some of his best horses, and this year will be no different as he has upcoming spots picked out at Keeneland and Churchill Downs for stakes winners Distinctive Code, Zydeco Affair, and Vino Tinto.

Zydeco Affair, a two-time stakes winner, is on deck to run first. He was fifth last out in the Grade 2, $500,000 Super Derby, and is being pointed for the $100,000 Perryville Stakes for 3-year-olds at Keeneland on Oct. 9, said Robideaux, who trains the colt for David Beard.

With a good performance, Zydeco Affair could advance to the Grade 3, $150,000 Oklahoma Derby at Remington Park on Nov. 16.

Distinctive Code, who won the $50,000 Suthern Accent earlier this meet at Louisiana Downs for owner Billie Courtney, will also run next at Keeneland in the Grade 3, $125,000 Thoroughbred Club of America on Oct. 12. Robideaux has won the race twice in recent years, with Cinemine and French Riviera.

As for Vino Tinto, who won the $40,000 Delta Miss last Sunday at Louisiana Downs over a field that included Grade 3 winner Wacky Patty, she is scheduled to put her 2 for 2 record on the line at Churchill Downs in the $100,000 Pocahontas Stakes at a mile on Nov. 1. She races for Barnett Stables.

Taxicat in allowance Friday

Taxicat, who finished sixth in the Super Derby, will return to the allowance ranks on Friday at Louisiana Downs. He is set to start in a one-other-than allowance over 6 1/2 furlongs. John Jacinto has the mount on the lightly raced colt for trainer Carl Giesse.

Giesse said the conditioned spot was chosen for Taxicat to "get his guts back up. We want to get his confidence built up. We're real pleased with him. His career is just starting."

Taxicat, a flashy-looking son of Tale of the Cat, is a maiden winner co-owned by Giesse and Lou Block.

Candid Glen back from breather

Candid Glen, who has earned more than $1 million while winning a number of turf stakes in this region, has returned from a vacation. Trainer Andrew Leggio, Jr., said the horse was given some time off to avoid racing in the heat of the summer, and will now point for a campaign that includes the same races he has been competing in the past few seasons.

Candid Glen, 7, won the $200,000 Connally Breeders' Cup Turf at Sam Houston Race Park for the third consecutive time this past February, and a month later won the Grade 2, $650,000 Explosive Bid Handicap at Fair Grounds, now called the Mervin Muniz. He races for Glen Warren.

Co-sales toppers at Breeders' Sales

A colt by Zuppardo's Prince and one by Just a Cat each brought $30,000 to top a yearling sale sponsored by the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association on Monday and Tuesday. The auction was held at Louisiana Downs.

Brittlyn Stable purchased the Zuppardo's Prince colt from the consignment of Clear Creek Stud. He is a half-brother to a Louisiana Futurity winner, Zuppy, and his unplaced dam is a half-sister to Grade 2 winner Zuppardo Ardo, who is by Zuppardo's Prince.

Quality Farm purchased the Just a Cat colt from Gabriel Thoroughbreds.

Overall, 162 of the 215 yearlings who went through the ring sold, for gross receipts of $1,112,600. The average price was $6,911.

The breeders' association also held a session for broodmares and horses of racing age, and the top seller was the mare Just About Time, who brought $15,500 from Bayou Fitness Products. She was consigned by Clear Creek Stud and is in foal to Doneraile Court.

During the mixed sale, 68 of the 83 horses who passed through the ring sold for an average of $2,048.