Special Blessing returns in Magnolia

Special Blessing could go favored Friday night in the $100,000 Magnolia at Delta Downs. The mile race is the first stakes of the meet, and it is restricted to fillies and mares bred in Louisiana.

Special Blessing is making her first start since April 26, when she captured the $75,000 Evangeline Downs Distaff. She rolled by 6 1/2 lengths, and her Beyer Speed Figure of 86 in the mile race is the best last-race number in the 10-horse Magnolia.

“We decided to go ahead and freshen her,” trainer Bret Calhoun said. “There weren’t a lot of races for her in the summer. We gave her a break at the farm. There’s a long series of races coming up, starting at Delta and continuing at Fair Grounds.”

Summer Blessing led throughout in the Evangeline Distaff, increasing her advantage at every point of call. She will break from the rail Friday under Roberto Morales.

“Coming off a layoff is always a concern,” Calhoun said. “Last race she ran obviously the best race she’s run. I really was a little surprised she was that far forward in the race. It was blinkers on first time. It looks like it made a big difference in her. She had been falling off the pace a little bit. I don’t know whether the race was her coming out party or if blinkers made that much of a difference, but we’ll take it either way.”

Calhoun noted Special Blessing’s sire, Flat Out, was at his best as an older horse, and he is hoping the same for the filly, who is 4. Special Blessing, who won an allowance over the Delta track last December, races for Coteau Grove Farms.

Hyper Piper is returning to dirt and the Delta surface over which she is 4 for 7. Her local wins include the $125,000 Premier Night Distaff in February. Diego Saenz has the mount for trainer Sam David.

Calhoun may return to Oaklawn

Trainer Bret Calhoun, who will be looking for his third Breeders’ Cup win next month when he saddles Mr. Money in the Dirt Mile, said he may apply for stalls at Oaklawn Park. The meet opens in January. It’s been about four years since Calhoun has had a division of horses in Hot Springs, Ark.

“I’ve got some pretty nice 2-year-olds getting started late,” Calhoun said. “I was thinking about those and I actually have a few Arkie-breds.”

Calhoun, who winters at Fair Grounds, is currently based at Churchill.

◗ Our Lost Love will move to dirt Friday night at Delta for an entry-level allowance for 2-year-old fillies bred in Louisiana. She comes off a debut win in a maiden special weight on turf for which she earned a Beyer of 83.