Uncle Brennie scores as favorite in Sunday Silence

BOSSIER CITY, La. - Uncle Brennie turned in a strong performance to win his stakes debut in the $75,000 Sunday Silence on Saturday at Louisiana Downs. He darted to 1 3/4- length win over Royal Lion, while it was another length back in third to Better Than Magic.

The Sunday Silence was one of four stakes for 2-year-olds on a card that featured the Grade 2, $400,000 Super Derby.

Uncle Brennie ($4.80) was content to sit in third behind dueling leaders, rating off fractions of 22.67 seconds for the opening quarter and 47.51 for the half-mile. Uncle Brennie moved to the fore soon afterward, and continued his momentum to the wire while covering a mile on firm turf in 1:36.28.

“I felt like I had a lot of horse,” said Chris Landeros, who rode Uncle Brennie for Flurry Racing Stables and trainer Brad Cox. “It’s very exciting. I don’t know how good he is yet.”

Uncle Brennie is a son of Uncle Mo who had won a maiden special weight one start prior to taking the Sunday Silence.

In the race’s counterpart for fillies, Saritta came with a big run in the stretch to capture her stakes debut in the $75,000 Happy Ticket.

“She’s a really nice filly,” said winning rider Richard Eramia. “I loved the way she finished.”

Eramia also won the River Cities on Saturday with Haunted Heroine and the Unbridled with String King.

Bret Calhoun, who trains Saritta, also trains Haunted Heroine.

Saritta ($11.40) raced towards the back of the field after breaking from post 12 and then unleashed a big rally at the top of the stretch. She won by 1 3/4 lengths over Glitter O’Prado. It was another length back in third to Calhoun trainee Jazz Song.

Our Rapidash ($6.40) was always prominent for a 3 1/4- length win in the $100,000 colts and geldings division of the Louisiana Stallion Stakes. The race was the first of seven stakes on the card. The winner covered seven furlongs on a track rated fast in 1:25.60. Donnie Meche was aboard for Mintmere Thoroughbreds and trainer Glenn Delahoussaye.

Ten Crowns ($11.60) won her maiden with a determined stretch run in the $100,000 fillies division of the Louisiana Stallion Stakes. She proved best by 1 3/4 lengths and covered seven furlongs on a track rated fast in 1:27.79. Ten Crowns is a half-sister to Vivian Da Bling, who was a multiple stakes winner at 2. Don Simington rode Ten Crowns for Hickory Stables and trainer Al Cates.