Zarb's Dahar, Happy Ticket take Louisiana Breeders' Festival events

BOSSIER CITY, La. - Zarb's Dahar and Happy Ticket each capped remarkable seasons at Harrah's Louisiana Downs on Saturday, winning their respective races on the Louisiana Breeders' Festival program. The 13-race card featured eight thoroughbred and five quarter horse events with $750,000 in total purses.

Happy Ticket ($2.40) won for the fifth time in as many starts in Louisiana Breeders' Oaks, drawing clear down the stretch for a seven length win. The victory was her third straight stakes tally.

Running his record at the meeting to a perfect six-for-six, Zarb's Dahar(3.80) accounted for the Cajun Stakes in a stakes record 1:09.22 for the six furlongs.

Nitro Chip ($6.40) kept his record over the main track here perfect with a win in the Louisiana Breeder's Derby by a length and a half under Gerard Melancon.

Melancon picked up his second win of the afternoon aboard Screen Idol($25.60) as he upset a strong field in the Shiskabob. The win also gave owner/breeder Foxwood Plantation a double on the afternoon.

Malanato ($8.20) set all the pace in winning the Stardust Stakes for 2-year-old colts and geldings while The Beter Man Can ($11.80) defeated a good group of fellow 2-year-old fillies in the Laurel Lane Stakes to run her career mark to two-for-two.

It was Katlin's Rocket ($4.80) the winner in the Walmac International Matchmaker with Destiny Calls ($5.00) accounting for the Victoria Stakes.