Star Guitar eyeing double three-peat at Evangeline Downs

Star Guitar has been training “along steadily” at his Louisiana Downs base, biding his time as he awaits his two major objectives this summer. The first comes July 2. Trainer Al Stall Jr. said Star Guitar is targeting the $100,000 Louisiana Showcase Classic at Evangeline Downs. From there, Star Guitar could run in the $125,000 Evangeline Mile on Aug. 13.

“We’re pointing for the two upcoming races at Evangeline Downs,” Stall said Friday.

Stall noted the stakes have been part of the horse’s schedule the last two years. Star Guitar won both of them in 2009, then came back and swept them again in 2010. He will come into this year’s Showcase for Louisiana-breds off three consecutive stakes wins: the $150,000 Louisiana Champions Day Classic at Fair Grounds in December, the $200,000 Louisiana Premiere Night Championship at Delta Downs in February, and the $72,000 Costa Rising at Fair Grounds in his last start March 25.

Star Guitar, a 6-year-old who has won 17 of 23 starts for Brittlyn Stables, was recently voted the 2010 champion older male horse by the membership of the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association. His connections as well as the connections of the other divisional winners will be honored at an upcoming banquet. It will be held at the Sam’s Town casino in Shreveport, La., on June 10, said Roger Heitzmann, the secretary-treasurer of the LTBA. During the banquet, the Louisiana-bred horse of the year will be announced, said Heitzmann.

Star Guitar, a winner of $1.2 million, was the Louisiana-bred horse of the year in 2009.