1751 Gentilly Blvd., New Orleans, LA 70119 www.fairgroundsracecourse.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Graham Ross, Staff Writer, 504.948.1255, graham.ross@fgno.com
sunbean shines in saturday’s star guitar at fg
By Graham Ross, Staff Writer
NEW ORLEANS (Saturday, March 01, 2014) – Brittlyn Stable’s Sunbean proved worthy of the fans who backed him down to 3 to 10 favoritism by drawing off late to a less than fully extended 2 ¾-length victory in Saturday’s $60,000 Star Guitar Stakes for older accredited Louisiana-breds at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.
The winner shadowed the two early leaders, challenged outside those in upper stretch, took clear command at the furlong marker and then increased the margin with intermittent urging, returning $2.60, $2.10 and $2.10 to his many backers.
“All I got to do (with this horse) is keep him clear,” said Sunbean’s regular rider Richard Eramia, who won the $150,000 Louisiana Champions Day Classic with Sunbean earlier this season on Louisiana Champions Day here on Dec. 14.
Glen Warren’s Hud’s Rebellion, victor in the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Turf on that same afternoon, rallied late to be clearly best of the others, finishing 2 ¼ lengths to the good of Klaravich Stable and William Lawrence’s Populist Politics, who lacked the needed late response.
Hud’s Rebellion paid $3.20 and $2.20 and Populist Politics returned $2.20 to show.
Norman Stables’ Hero Force made the pace with splits of :25.10 and :49.66, but weakened to fourth from the effort.
Diamond Racing et al.’s Johnny Handsome and Pat Jackson’s Easy Strike completed the order of finish.
Sunbean increased his career earnings to $534,900 with his eighth victory from 13 lifetime starts.
“He’s just a real nice horse to train,” said winning trainer Ron Faucheux. “As long as Mrs. Benoit keeps sending me these good horses that she breeds it makes my job easy.”
About Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots
Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, the nation’s third-oldest racetrack, has been in operation since 1872. Located in New Orleans, Fair Grounds is owned by Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ Global Select Market: CHDN); it also operates a slot-machine gaming facility and 11 off-track betting parlors throughout southeast Louisiana. The 142nd Thoroughbred Racing Season – highlighted by the 101st running of the $1 million Louisiana Derby - will run from November 22, 2013 through March 30, 2014. More information can be found online at www.FairGroundsRaceCourse.com.
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