Superior Storm, Star Guitar top Showcase card

Superior Storm and Star Guitar, the 2008 and 2009 Louisiana-bred horses of the year, will share top billing on Louisiana Showcase Night at Evangeline Downs on Saturday. The 10-stakes program restricted to Louisiana-breds is the biggest evening of the meet with close to $1 million in purse money on the line.

Superior Storm will be back to defend her title in the $100,000 Louisiana Showcase Distaff. Star Guitar returns to try for a second straight win in the $100,000 Louisiana Showcase Classic at 1 1/16 miles.

Trained by Richard Jackson, Superior Storm has never been beaten when facing statebreds. A 5-year-old mare, Superior Storm has 12 stakes wins in her 24-race career, including three locally. A win by Superior Storm, the runner-up in the Grade 1, $500,000 Apple Blossom at Oaklawn Park last year, would enable her to surpass the $1 million mark in career earnings.

Star Guitar has also been unbeatable when facing statebreds. Trained by Al Stall Jr., the 5-year-old Star Guitar captured the "Cajun Grand Slam" last year, winning the marquee events for older runners at all four of the state's racetracks. He also won the $150,000 Evangeline Mile against open company last August.

Saturday night's card also includes two divisions of the always interesting $100,000 D.S. "Shine" Young Futurity for 2-year-olds. Qualifiers for the Shine were determined in trials last month.

Also on the program are the $50,000 Louisiana Showcase Starter Stakes at 7 1/2 furlongs on turf: the $75,000 Mile for 3-year-olds; the $75,000 Showcase Fillies Mile; the Sprint and the Ladies Sprint, each worth $100,000; and the $100,000 Showcase Turf.