Vicar’s in Trouble, East Hall among large field expected for Super Derby
The Grade 2, $400,000 Super Derby next Saturday, Sept. 6, at Louisiana Downs could have a sizeable field. There are at least 11 horses in the mix for the 1 1/8-mile race that will anchor a program of seven stakes worth a collective $900,000. The card is the richest of the meet in Bossier City.
Vicar’s in Trouble, the winner of the Grade 2 Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds in March, and East Hall, who captured the $300,000 Ohio Derby in his most recent out at ThistleDown, are among the horses Louisiana Downs racing secretary David Heitzmann is expecting for the Super Derby.
“If everything falls into place, I’m looking, hopefully, at 11,” he said Thursday of what would be one of the largest Super Derby fields in years. “There’s a lot more local flavor this year. Usually, we get lucky to have one or two locals, tops.”
Alamo Heights, Ide Be Cool, Louies Flower, and Gold Appointment, the first four finishers in the local prep, the $100,000 Prelude, are all expected back for the Super Derby, said Heitzmann. He also is hopeful that Louisiana Flyboy, the winner of the $150,000 A.L. “Red” Erwin for statebreds on the Prelude card Aug. 2, will advance to the Super Derby.
Announcement, who is undefeated in two starts at Ellis Park for past Super Derby-winning trainer Kellyn Gorder, and Victory Nor Defeat, a stakes-placed colt who won a Gulfstream optional claimer Aug. 3 for trainer Ralph Nicks, are other candidates for the race, said Heitzmann. Other possible starters, according to Heitzmann, include Jessica’s Star, the winner of the Grade 3 Iowa Derby in June, and For Goodness Sake, the fifth-place finisher in the Grade 2 West Virginia Derby.
A plane bringing horses to Louisiana Downs is tentatively scheduled to depart Louisville, Ky., early Monday morning, said Heitzmann.
The field for the Super Derby will be drawn Wednesday. The maximum gate is 14 horses. The Super Derby will be part of a 13-race card that will have a special early post of 12 p.m. Central, said Heitzmann. There will be an all-stakes pick four with a $100,000-guaranteed pool, and the sequence is scheduled to include the Super Derby.
Heitzmann said he looks for Mike Maker, who trains Vicar’s in Trouble, and Bill Kaplan, the trainer of East Hall, to send in horses for some of the undercard stakes next Saturday. He also anticipates starters from trainers Ken McPeek and Bernie Flint.
The undercard offerings include a pair of $75,000 turf routes for 2-year-olds and a pair of $75,000 turf routes for 3-year-olds and up. The track also will put on a pair of 2-year-old divisions of the Louisiana Stallion Stakes, each worth $100,000.
Departing won last year’s Super Derby as part of a field of seven horses.
Flashy All Owls in allowance
All Owls, who captured a maiden special weight race with a Beyer Speed Figure of 94, meets winners for the first time in Sunday’s seventh race at Louisiana Downs. The first-level allowance over six furlongs is restricted to 3-year-olds and up bred in Louisiana.
KEY CONTENDERS
All Owls (Last 3 Beyers: 94-40-65)
◗ He defeated open company by 7 1/2 lengths Aug. 7 in a 6 1/2-furlong race at Louisiana Downs. He was prominent throughout to win in his fifth career start.
◗ All Owls, a 3-year-old gelding by Half Ours, is a half-brother to Grand Facile, a four-time stakes winner who earned $310,660.
◗ Richard Eramia, the leading rider at Louisiana Downs, has the mount for trainer Ron Faucheux, who is winning races at a 41 percent clip this meet. All Owls races for Brittlyn Stable.
Kelamon (Last 3 Beyers: 66-64-77)
◗ He has an experience edge on All Owls as a four-time winner.
◗ Kelamon hooked a quality sprinter last out in Zip Motion and has reason to move forward in his second outing since March.
Deep Bottom (Last 3 Beyers: 79-66-75)
◗ Much like All Owls, he is facing winners for the first time following an impressive maiden special weight score at 6 1/2 furlongs at Louisiana Downs.
◗ Deep Bottom is out of a mare who was a stakes winner of more than $180,000.