Sea Dub takes Independence Handicap

BOSSIER CITY, La. - Jockey E. J. Perrodin has worked his mastery for years over the John Franks Turf Course so Sunday's upset of odds-on favorite Waupaca in the Independence Handicap while aboard Sea Dub should have come as no surprise. Longshot Virginia Pride out-nodded Waupaca for the place spot, three quarters of a length behind the winner. Crowned King, the co-highweight at 116 pounds, finished fourth.

Perrodin raced unhurried on Sea Dub ($9.80) for six furlongs while saving all the ground while Waupaca was getting by with soft fractions of :24.80, :49.53 and 1:13.80. The winning duo gained valuable position by taking advantage of a wide open rail turning for home then split the second and third place finishers in the late going in a final time of 1:45.19 over a course rated as good.

Trained by Joe Petalino, Sea Dub won for just the fourth time in 35 starts. The 5-year-old Sea Hero gelding picked up $45,000 for his winning connections and has now earned $196,000.