Wholelottamo fresh for Louisiana Jewel
Wholelottamo will attempt to win her third consecutive race Friday, when the 2-year-old stakes winner makes her two-turn debut in the $100,000 Louisiana Jewel at Delta Downs.
The race, which will be run over seven furlongs, is for 2-year-old fillies bred in Louisiana. The full field of 10 also includes stakes winners Free Like a Girl and Streak of Silver. There is a special first post of 12:55 p.m. Central.
Wholelottamo enters the Louisiana Jewel off the $50,000 Louisiana Cup Juvenile Fillies on Aug. 21 at Louisiana Downs. Her 2 1/2-length win in the six-furlong race could have sent her to the state’s next option for her division, the D.S. “Shine” Young Memorial over 5 1/2 furlongs on Sept. 17 at Evangeline Downs. However, her connections decided to await the Jewel.
“She’s bred to run two turns, and that’s why we skipped the Shine Young with her and pointed for this race,” said Scott Gelner, who trains Wholelottamo for Thompson Racing.
Wholelottamo is a daughter of Ohio Derby winner Mo Tom, while her female family includes Kentucky Oaks winner Gal in a Ruckus.
Wholelottamo began her win streak in her second start, a maiden special weight over five furlongs on June 20 at Lone Star Park. Her debut came at the same level and at the same track, and she finished third.
“She hooked two good horses first time out,” Gelner said.
Gelner noted Wicked Halo, who won the maiden special weight with a Beyer Speed Figure of 81, went on to capture the Grade 2 Adirondack at Saratoga. He added Smash Ticket, who was second at Lone Star, went on to win a maiden special weight at Del Mar before finishing third in that track’s Grade 2 Sorrento.
Wholelottamo was further flattered after the Louisiana Cup, when third-place finisher Free Like a Girl came back to win the Young Memorial. Streak of Silver, who was second in the Louisiana Cup, had previously won a division of the $100,000 Texas Thoroughbred Futurity at Lone Star Park.
Wholelottamo has been working at Delta for the Jewel. She will break from post 5 under Timothy Thornton.
“She’s just real laid back, easy to train in the morning,” Gelner said. “She just does everything right.
“If she gets a good clean break, I think she’ll kind of sit off the pace.”
Streak of Silver, who set the pace in the Louisiana Cup, has since worked sharply for the Jewel. Ry Eikleberry has the mount from post 7 for Carl Moore and trainer Karen Jacks. Streak of Silver is a daughter of Graydar. She won her maiden in the Texas Thoroughbred Futurity.
◗ Delta sent out notice that the $100,000 Magnolia and $100,000 Gold Cup, which were canceled last week due to track lighting issues, have been rescheduled for Oct. 29 and Oct. 30, respectively.