Rodeo's Castle all business in King's Court

Bossier City, La. - Rodeo's Castle added another chapter to his storybook season Sunday afternoon, capturing the King's Court Stakes by 3 1/4 lengths at Harrah's Louisiana Downs. Favored Watchem Smokey won a three-horse photo for the place spot followed by Stormy But Crafty and Mama's Joy.

Under confident handling by Jeff Burningham, Rodeo's Castle ($6.20) dueled outside of Mama's Boy through an opening half in :45.19 before shaking free early in the stretch. Steadily increasing that margin to the wire, he stopped the timer in 1:10.85 for six furlongs over a strip made sloppy by morning rains.

Trained by Beverly Fowler, who claimed Rodeo's Castle for owner Byron House, III out of a $12,500 non-winners of two here last fall, the winner has now recorded five victories in 2005 at three different ovals. The Kings Court was his second straight stakes tally, have accounted for the $75,000 Ford Express at Lone Star on May 14.

"He's all business," Fowler said after the race. "He's been training so good. He's defying all odds. He just likes competition. I could tell the way he was striding early that Jeffery had not turned him loose yet."