'Zarba' tries to extend win streak

BOSSIER CITY, La. - Zarba the Great puts her four-race win streak on the line Saturday as she stretches out to two turns for the first time in Saturday's Lorelei Stakes. The 1 1/16-mile affair for 3-year-old fillies drew a field of seven and carries a $50,000 purse.

Trained by John Barger, progressed rapidly through her conditions after winning her maiden during the final week of the Fair Grounds meeting in late March. A Louisiana-bred daughter of Toolighttoquit, Zarba the Great stepped outside the statebred ranks for each of her last two allowance victories. Zarba the Great has tactical speed and is likely to be involved from start to finish on Saturday.

Barger has given E. J. Perrodin the return call.

As the only member of this year's Lorelei to have a win at the distance, Phone Affair also rates highly. Trained by Ann Watermeier, was an impressive 10-length winner at a mile and 70 yards in allowance company at Evangeline Downs earlier in the year and just missed at the same distance here in her most recent start.

Sandwiched between those two efforts on dirt was a solid third-place finish to the crack turf filly Victory Lap in the Chapel Belle Stakes on the local grass over the Memorial Day weekend.

Regular rider Michael Wright will journey up from his Evangeline home base to handle the riding chores.

Trainer Al Stall Jr. adds blinkers to equipment. She finished third in the Fantasia Stakes in early May and most recently tried the turf for the first time, again finishing third. In her one try on the main track going two turns, Raspberry Wine reported home fourth against male opponents at Fair Grounds in late March.

Jose Riquelme will ride.