Stall on a roll in Louisiana

Trainer Al Stall Jr. will be looking for his 12th win with his last 13 starters in Louisiana on Saturday when he starts Iona Guitar in the fourth race at Louisiana Downs.

Stalls wins have come at Evangeline Downs in Opelousas and Louisiana Downs in Bossier City.

Iona Guitar is launching her career in a 4 1/2-furlong maiden special weight for 2-year-old fillies bred in Louisiana. Stall’s other starter Saturday comes in the sixth race, with Half a Sugar.

The streak started with Half a Sugar, when she won a conditioned claiming race June 20 at Louisiana Downs. Stall’s most recent winner came July 4, with Tor Con Six at Evangeline Downs.

“It just kind of snuck up on us,” Stall said of the streak, adding his Louisiana-based assistant, Pam Fitzgerald, deserves a great deal of credit.

Stall has won with seven of his last eight starters at Louisiana Downs, the lone loss during that period a third-place finish by Amity on June 25. Stall has won four consecutive races at Evangeline during the streak, from June 22 through July 4, including a pair of stakes, the Lafayette and Acadiana.

Overall, the trainer has won with his last six starters at Evangeline dating back to June 8.

Stall has a division of horses based at Louisiana Downs, and was tied atop the standings at that track through Friday, with 11 wins from 25 starts. Stall has gone 8 for 15 this meet at Evangeline.