Special Blessing can continue ascent in Louisiana Legends Soiree

Special Blessing has made noise in Louisiana since she topped a 2-year-old in training sale for $110,000 last year in Opelousas, La. She picked up her first stakes at nearby Evangeline Downs earlier this month and on Saturday night will attempt to win another in the track’s Louisiana Legends Soiree.

The $75,000 Soiree, a mile race for 3-year-old fillies, is one of seven Louisiana-bred stakes on a card worth more than $600,000. The program is the richest of the meet at Evangeline. It is led by the $100,000 Classic in which Mobile Bay will attempt to win his sixth consecutive race, all stakes.

The Soiree serves as the first leg of a pick four on races 4-7 that will have a minimum guaranteed pool of $50,000, according to Chris Warren, director of racing for Evangeline. The sequence continues with the $75,000 Mademoiselle, which drew 12 fillies and mares; a $50,000 starter at a mile on turf; and the $75,000 Sprint.

Special Blessing was purchased by Coteau Grove Farms during an Equine Sales Co., of Louisiana auction last May. The daughter of Flat Out won her maiden in her two-turn debut in February at Fair Grounds. In her most recent start, May 9, she was a 1 3/4-length winner of the $75,000 Equine Sales Oaks at a mile at Evangeline.

“She’s going to run in the Soiree and then we’ll give her a freshening and get her ready for the fall, for Delta and Fair Grounds,” said trainer Bret Calhoun. “When we bought this filly we had a later and longer [distance] campaign in mind for her. Her owners have been very patient, very good about bringing her around slowly. They’re on board with the plan. I definitely think there’s more upside to this filly. I don’t think we’ve seen the best of her.”

Special Blessing’s seven rivals include Testing One Two, a three-time stakes winner making her first start since a March 24 win in the Crescent City Oaks at Fair Grounds, and Champagne Diva, who is moving back to dirt after running fifth in the $75,000 Honey Ryder on May 5 at Gulfstream Park.

◗ The festivities Saturday night during the the Louisiana Legends program at Evangeline will include appearances by five top-class retired jockeys with ties to Louisiana: Eddie Delahoussaye, Mark Guidry, Craig Perret, Randy Romero, and Ray Sibille.

Warren said the retired riders are on hand to meet and greet patrons and to sign autographs. Guidry is a steward at Evangeline.

◗ Also during the card, the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association will award two $1,000 college scholarships via drawings after the fifth race. The card Saturday starts at 5:50 p.m. Central.

◗ Macho Gabacho leads a competitive field for the featured third race Wednesday at Louisiana Downs. The optional $25,000 claimer for 3-year-olds and up will be run at about 7 1/2 furlongs on turf. Macho Gabacho has been second by either a neck, head, or half-length in his last three starts, at Fair Grounds and Lone Star Park. Jamie Theriot has the mount from the rail for owner Carl Moore and trainer Bret Calhoun.