1751 Gentilly Blvd.,
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jim Mulvihill, Communications and Pari-Mutuel Marketing Manager, 504.948.1233, james.mulvihill@fgno.com
Contact: Graham Ross, Staff Writer, 504.948.1255,
mr. bowling in lecomte latest larry jones star?
· High Weights All Likely for $100,000
By Graham Ross, Staff Writer
NEW ORLEANS (Friday, January 13, 2012) – The stars might very well just keep on coming out this winter for the Larry and Cindy Jones Stable, returned once again to its former residence in Barn 3 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.
That’s because when the tradition-laden New Orleans oval hosts its six-stakes-laden Road to the Derby Kickoff Day Presented by Hotel Monteleone a week from Saturday on Jan. 21, trainer Larry Jones and wife and assistant Cindy are planning to saddle Brereton Jones’ Mr. Bowling in the 68th running of the Grade III Lecomte Stakes on that day as the first stepping stone on the road to the $1 million Louisiana Derby on Fair Grounds’ Closing Day, April 1.
However, they are also looking forward to running that former
Mr. Bowling, who won last fall’s $75,000 Dover Stakes at Delaware Park before running erratically when third in Churchill’s Grade III Iroquois Stakes, has posted two bullet works at Fair Grounds since arriving in New Orleans, including a five-furlong move in 58.80 last Monday.
“He has been training very well since he got here,” said Larry Jones Friday morning during training hours when speaking of Mr. Bowling, a son of the young Gone West sire Istan. “We’re very happy with him. Obviously, Mr. Bowling likes this track a lot, but we also want to think he’s just getting better. He seems to be maturing more and more every day. He’s a son of the young Gone West sire Istan whose horses are just getting to the races. I have several Istans in my barn, and they all look like they can run.
“As for the filly (Believe You Can, who won
Of course, also in residence under the same roof with Mr. Bowling and Believe You Can at Fair Grounds these days is Fox Hill Farms’ prime 2011 Horse of the Year candidate Havre de Grace as well as that same farm’s Joyful Victory, post time favorite in last year’s Kentucky Oaks.
The latter, who won Oaklawn’s Grade II Fantasy and Grade III Honeybee last year, finished second by three-quarters of a length in her 2012 debut on Wednesday, which was also Joyful Victory’s first time over turf.
“That race (Wednesday) was run almost exactly opposite of the way she likes to run,” said Jones. “She usually likes to make one late run rather than be up that close early. But I thought she ran very well, especially considering that it was her first time on grass. If I was asked if I would try to make a grass filly out of her, I would say, ‘Probably not,’ but (grass) also does give us another nice option for her.
“And as for Havre de Grace, she galloped a mile for me this morning (Friday) and looked very good doing it,” said Jones. “They did a really good job with her on the farm this winter, giving her just enough work to do to let her know she wasn’t retired yet, but today was the first day I saw her looking around to spot horses to gallop after. She’s starting to realize now that she’s still going to be a race horse, and mentally she’s looking forward to racing once again. Today was a very good day for her.”
The Joneses will fly from
“It’s something to look forward too,” said Jones of that upcoming trip while remaining – as is his usual inclination – cautiously optimistic.
HIGH WEIGHTS ALL LIKELY FOR $100,000
The tradition-rich Louisiana Handicap, part of a six-race stakes program on Jan. 21’s Road to the Derby Kickoff Day, is for 4-year-olds and upward at 1 1/16-miles over the main track and is also the first step of a three-race local series that concludes with the Grade II New Orleans Handicap on Louisiana Derby Day April 1, Closing Day of the current session.
Alma d’Oro, second by a half-length in last year’s Grade III Ack Ack Stakes at Churchill Downs Nov. 4, was previously third in
Jim Tafel’s Fast Alex, winner of Fair Grounds’ $75,000 Tenacious Handicap in his last start Dec. 17 and fourth in last year’s New Orleans Handicap, is second in the Louisiana Handicap weights at 120 pounds and is also expected to contest the issue, as is Terry Hamilton and Robert Morgan’s Gleam of Hope, assigned 119 pounds in the Louisiana ’Cap after finishing a nose behind Fast Alex when runner-up in the Tenacious ’Cap.
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
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James J. Mulvihill
Communications & Pari-Mutuel Marketing Manager
Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots
A Churchill Downs Incorporated Company
1751 Gentilly Boulevard,
504.948.1233 [office]
504.481.8770 [cell]
504.944.7853 [fax]
140th Thoroughbred Racing Season, Nov. 24-April 1
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