Schultz runners eye turf options

Trainer Bob Schultz hopes to be doing some significant business over the Louisiana Downs turf course in the next few months. Lee's Spirit, who won the track's $50,000 Barksdale with a late burst Saturday, has two more local stakes objectives on his calendar, while quality 2-year-old filly Dixieland Bull is set to try two turns for the first time in an upcoming turf stakes at Louisiana Downs.

Lee's Spirit improved his earnings to more than $400,000 with his win in the Barksdale, a 7 1/2-furlong turf race for older horses that he won by 1 1/4 lengths. For the effort, he earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 88. It was the sixth career stakes win for Lee's Spirit, a Louisiana-bred who defeated open company Saturday.

"There are two more races we can run him in here," Schultz said. "It will be open company."

The first is the $50,000 Shiskabob at a mile on turf Aug. 28. The other is the $50,000 Unbridled at 1 1/16 miles on turf Sept. 25.

Dixieland Bull, an allowance winner over males last month at Louisiana Downs, is on deck for the $50,000 Donnie Wilhite Memorial for 2-year-old fillies at a mile on turf Aug. 28.

"She's bred to stretch out, so we'll try to stretch her out," Schultz said. "We'll see if she can handle a route of ground."

Dixieland Bull is by Holy Bull, sire of 2005 Kentucky Derby winner Giacamo. Her dam is Placid Star, a three-time stakes winner at two turns, with one of those wins coming on the grass at Fair Grounds. Placid Star also won an overnight handicap at about a mile on turf at Louisiana Downs back in 2004. Dixieland Bull was in action at the track Saturday, and finished second as the favorite in the $50,000 Princess.