Sunbean eyes Unbridled Stakes

Sunbean, the millionaire who got the first turf win of his career Saturday in the $75,000 Louisiana Cup Turf Classic at Louisiana Downs, could run back in another grass stakes at the track, trainer Ron Faucheux said Monday.

Sunbean is being considered for the $75,000 Unbridled against open company Sept. 10.

“We’d like to keep him in Louisiana-bred company, but we’ll weigh our options,” Faucheux said.

Faucheux said there’s a pair of rich Louisiana-bred dirt offerings over the winter months that will be targeted for Sunbean.

“We want to be fit and fresh for the winter, with the Champions Day Classic at Fair Grounds and the Premier [Night Championship] at Delta,” he said. “We want to have him right for those two races. We could run once or twice [before], and off the top of my head, I’d say we could go in the Unbridled and/or the Gold Cup at Delta.”

Sunbean moved up to fifth place on the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association’s list of all-time leading earners among Louisiana-breds with his win Saturday, passing the now-retired Heitai. Sunbean has earned $1,112,250 and races for his breeder, Brittlyn Stable.

“Moving forward, there’s a lot left in the tank,” Faucheux said. “We want to keep grinding with his earnings and, when all is said and done, want him to be considered one of the best-ever Louisiana-breds.”

Sunbean, under regular rider Richard Eramia, won the 14th stakes race of his career in the Louisiana Cup Turf Classic.

“Richard couldn’t have rode him better,” said Faucheux. “He swung him out at the right time, and he was full of run when he went to ask him. I couldn’t have asked for a better ride or a better performance from Sunbean himself.”

Sunbean had made one prior start on turf, finishing fourth in a February stakes at Fair Grounds. He is a 6-year-old by Brahms.