Tough trio entered in Bayou State

Talk about getting some bang for your buck. Spritely Walker, who is widely considered the best Louisiana-bred in training; Zarb's Luck, who last out earned a 107 Beyer Speed Figure; and Prince Slew, who is marching toward $500,000 in earnings, will all meet for a $50,000 purse on Friday night in the Bayou State at Delta Downs in Vinton, La.

The seven-furlong race will be held around two turns, and it is restricted to horses bred in Louisiana.

Spritely Walker is looking for his fourth straight win. His streak started on Dec. 13, when he won the $150,000 Louisiana Champions Day Classic at Fair Grounds. From there, he defeated open company in a $62,500 optional claimer on Feb. 15, then took the $200,000 Louisiana Premier Night Championship on Feb. 7 at Delta in his last start.

Spritely Walker will shorten up for the Bayou State after racing 1 1/16 miles last out. Shane Sellers has the mount for Heiligbrodt Racing Stable and trainer Steve Asmussen.

Zarb's Luck will be stretching out to two turns after winning over five furlongs last out in the $100,000 Louisiana Premier Night Sprint at Delta on Feb. 7. He won by 4 1/4 lengths and earned a 107 Beyer.

Zarb's Luck has had success racing around two turns in the past. On Nov. 15, he won the $100,000 Gold Cup at one mile at Delta by a neck over Spritely Walker. Carlos Gonzalez has the mount on Zarb's Luck for trainer Edward Johnston.

Prince Slew returns to racing with statebreds in the Bayou State after finishing second in an $80,000 optional claimer at Fair Grounds on Feb. 19. His last win came Jan. 2, when he defeated Zarb's Luck by 8 3/4 lengths in the $50,000 Cypress at 6 1/2 furlongs at Delta.

Prince Slew, a winner of $421,667, is trained by Noral Tate and will be ridden by Gerard Melancon.