Sunbean gets second shot on turf in Louisiana Cup

The millionaire Sunbean will make a rare appearance on turf next month at Louisiana Downs. Trainer Ron Faucheux said Wednesday that Sunbean is being pointed for the $75,000 Louisiana Cup Turf Classic on Aug. 6. The 1 1/16-mile race is part of a program of seven stakes. The races will be drawn Saturday.

Sunbean has made just one start on grass, finishing fourth in the $60,000 Dixie Poker Ace on Feb. 27 at Fair Grounds. There are several reasons to give him another chance on grass, said Faucheux, including the fact that the horse is a son of turf specialist Brahms.

Sunbean will enter the Louisiana Cup Turf Classic off a fourth-place finish in the $125,000 Louisiana Legends on July 2 at Evangeline Downs. The start was the horse’s first since March 26, when he captured the $60,000 Star Guitar at Fair Grounds.

“He may have needed a race the last time we ran him,” Faucheux said. “From my experience this meet at Evangeline Downs, a lot of horses need a race their first start.”

Faucheux, who trains Sunbean for breeder Brittlyn Stable, said Richard Eramia has the mount in the Louisiana Cup Turf Classic. Sunbean is a 14-time winner with 13 stakes wins.