Who Took the Money notches third straight dirt win with Scott's Scoundrel

Who Took the Money ran his record on dirt to seven wins and a third from eight starts in capturing the $75,000 Scott’s Scoundrel Stakes by 2 1/4 lengths on a soggy Saturday at Fair Grounds in New Orleans.

He appears to be the best older Louisiana-bred dirt-route horse going, yet Who Took the Money might even be better on turf.

On Saturday, facing Lousiana-breds going one mile, 70 yards over a sloppy, sealed surface, Who Took the Money made an extended run from seventh at the half-mile pole. He traveled wide around the far turn and even wider through the homestretch to reel-in Behemah Star, who had a better trip, through the final half-furlong.

That made three straight wins, all on dirt, for Who Took the Money, capably ridden Saturday by Deshawn Parker. His peak Beyer Speed Figure, 100 last month at Delta Downs, suggests otherwise, but Who Took the Money, a son of the turf influence Street Boss, also dominated Louisiana-bred grass horses last winter. Saturday, he failed to change leads in the stretch and didn’t look especially comfortable going over the wet surface, but Who Too the Money’s superior talent ruled the day.

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The winner had a recency edge on Behemah Star, the clear runner-up who was making his first start since Aug. 6 and ran like the race might do him good next month in the Louisiana Champions Day Classic. The Classic is worth $150,000, and the Champions Day Turf is worth $100,000, suggesting Who Took the Money won’t be returning to grass in the immediate future.

Highland Creek, trained like Who Took the Money by Brett Calhoun, pressed the pace of Big Chopper and held third. Grand Luwegee, winner of the last two renewals of the Champions Day Classic, finished last of 10.

Calhoun trains Who Took the Money for his breeder, Chester Thomas’s Allied Racing Stables. Out of Speights’ Colony, by Speightstown, the Scott’s Scoundrel winner was clocked in 1:42.09 and paid $3.80 as the overwhelming favorite.

One race later, Who Took the Money’s form got another boost when Brian’s Iron Mike rallied up the rail to win the $75,000 Monte Man Stakes by 1 3/4 lengths over longshot pacesetter Scarlettsblackjack.

Brian’s Iron Mike on Oct. 8 had finished second, more than seven lengths behind Who Took the Money, in the seven-furlong, two-turn Gold Cup at Delta Downs. Despite being well beaten, the performance, Brian’s Iron Mike’s first start in two months, marked a step forward and the 3-year-old gelding took another on Saturday.

Winning his first stakes race, Brian’s Iron Mike came from mid-pack under jockey Joe Stokes, closing determinedly up the fence, making the lead in the final sixteenth mile and drawing clear from Scarlettsblackjack. Brian’s Iron Mike was timed in 1:10.32 for six furlongs and paid $11.80 after taking noteworthy win action late in the betting.

Allen Landry trains Brian’s Iron Mike for Hat Racing, and Perry Segura bred the gelding, by Iron Fist and out of the Ghostzapper mare Hildegarde.

Takes Two To Tango finished third while odds-on favorite Bertie’s Galaxy failed to show his typical early speed and never came close to truly contending, checking in fifth.

*** Earlier on the card, Not On Herb won the $75,000 Joseph R. Peluso Stakes, turning away a bid from favored Late September and going on to beat runner-up Calicoco by 1 1/2 lengths as Late September flattened late and faded to third. Not On Herb ($6) now is 2-2, the Peluso following a debut win in a Delta Downs maiden race. Jareth Loveberry rode Not On Herb for trainer Ron Faucheux and Ivery Sisters Racing. Not On Herb is by First Samurai out of Toast to Ashley, by First Defence.

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