Six Louisiana Cup stakes offer up $450K in purses
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Woods N Water and trainer Lee Thomas are both rising to prominence on the Louisiana circuit and on Saturday will attempt to win the main event on the $450,000 Louisiana Cup card at Louisiana Downs.
The $75,000 Turf Classic is the focal point on a program of six Louisiana-bred stakes for various divisions. Woods N Water could start as a slight favorite in the 1 1/16-mile race that drew a highly competitive cast of 12.
“Any of them can win that race,” said Thomas.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, Free Like a Girl stands out in the $75,000 Filly and Mare Sprint as the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association’s reigning horse of the year. She is a winner of 13 of 28 starts and has earned $951,758.
“She loves doing her job,” said co-owner and trainer Chasey Deville-Pomier.
Woods N Water has been in a zone all summer long. He won his turf debut in an allowance for Louisiana-breds on May 19 at Evangeline Downs and the next month became a stakes winner in the track’s Louisiana Legends Turf. In one start since, Woods N Water finished second by a head in the $60,000 John Henry, an open-company turf stakes July 1 at Evangeline.
“I thought he ran his butt off in that race,” Thomas said. “The trip kind of didn’t work out perfectly for him – he had a wide trip. We were pleased with the effort from him and he’s still in the same form.
“He’s really stepped up on the turf for us.”
Thomas, 38, also is on the rise. He had his best year at the track in 2022, winning 73 races and compiling stable earnings of $1.4 million. Thomas is on pace for another big year, as he’s won 37 races through Wednesday and has stable earnings of $949,466.
Thomas has about 40 horses at Evangeline and also keeps a string of 22 at Louisiana Downs. He is the son of Michele Rodriguez, the founder and president of Elite Thoroughbreds in Folsom, La.
“We predominantly have Louisiana-breds,” Thomas said. “We try to keep horses at all the meets in Louisiana. This winter, we’ll race at Delta and Fair Grounds.”
A focal point for the barn is Saturday with Woods N Water, who will break from post 5. Tommy Pompell has the mount for Richard Painter and Dewberry Farm.
“We’d like to sit off of it and make one run at them,” said Thomas.
Carlea’s Dream and Budro Talking, who are both past winners of the Turf Classic, bring opposing styles into the race. Carlea’s Dream is a front-runner and Budro Talking is a stone closer. Carlea’s Dream is moving back to turf after winning a main-track allowance at Lone Star Park, while Budro Talking was third last out in the John Henry.
Oh My Aching Arch is moving back into the Louisiana-bred ranks after defeating open company in back-to-back allowances at Louisiana Downs. He is 7 for 9 over the local course. Oh My Aching Arch, who has tactical speed, will break from post 2.
Allnight Moonlight is a three-time stakes winner who is making both his first start on turf and his first start against older rivals. He is coming off a win in the Louisiana Legends Cheval at Evangeline.
Filly and Mare Sprint
Free Like a Girl last raced on July 8 at Evangeline, finishing second by a head when facing male rivals in the Louisiana Stallion Stakes. The division for fillies and mares did not fill. Free Like a Girl spotted the winner of the mile race, Mangum, 11 pounds. She is cutting back to six furlongs for the Filly and Mare Sprint, which drew 12.
“These are the races they have and she’s proven she can run six,” said Deville-Pomier. “We maybe would like it a little bit longer. But we really want to stay here. She’s traveled a lot. We want to stay home.”
Free Like a Girl will break from post 12 under Timothy Thornton.
“I like the outside,” said Deville-Pomier. “I’m always okay with that.”
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The card’s other offering for fillies and mares is the Distaff, which will be run over 1 1/16 miles on the grass. Cheapskate Diva is back to defend her title against against nine rivals, including multiple stakes winner Wholelottamo. Cheapskate Diva won over a handful of these in June in the Louisiana Legends Turf Distaff at Evangeline and last out was second against open company in the track’s $60,000 Opelousas.
◗ Running Argument attempts to run her record to 3 for 3 in the $75,000 Juvenile Fillies. The undefeated Strong Promise seeks to do the same in the $75,000 Juvenile. Each race drew 12.
◗ Black Sword is seeking to win his third consecutive stakes in the $75,000 Sprint field of 11.
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