Witt Ante must face strong Norman entry

To remain undefeated, Witt Ante will have to fight off the Cole Norman-trained duo of Mr. King Rex and Teepee Creeper in Sunday's $30,000 Pelican State Stakes at Louisiana Downs. The six-furlong race for 2-year-olds bred in Louisiana closes out the meet in Bossier City, La.

The season has been a good one for Witt Ante. He won his maiden on the Super Derby undercard Sept. 21, then returned a month later to take the $40,000 Stardust Stakes. Trainer Larry Robideaux has given the mount to Kirk Leblanc.

Jamie Theriot will ride Mr. King Rex, who was third in the Stardust. "He had a horrible trip," said Norman, who leads the trainer standings. "He should be right there with a better trip."

Norman also looks for a good race from Teepee Creeper, an eight-length maiden winner Oct. 31. "He did it easy," he said. Leading rider Gerard Melancon has the return call Sunday.