STAR GUITAR'S 2024 champions 

3-year-old filly: Six String  (Star Guitar—Oh Whata Holiday, by Harlan's Holiday)

4-year-old and up male: Touchuponastar  (Start Guitar—Touch Magic, by Lion Heart)

Charged Cotton, a stakes-winning daughter of Dehere and the dam of Manama Gold and Ova Charged, was named broodmare of the year. Ova Charged won six of seven starts last year, with five wins in black-type stakes. Her top performance came in the Unbridled Sydney Stakes (G3T) at Churchill Downs. Manama Gold won last year's UAE Oaks (G3) at Meydan Racecourse.

Evelyn Benoit's Brittlyn Stable was named breeder of the year based on having accumulated the highest amount of breeder's awards for the calendar year. Brittlyn was represented by four black-type stakes winners last year, led by hombred grade 3 winners Manama Gold  and Ova Charged . Both graded stakes winners are by Brittlyn's homebred stallion Star Guitar  , who was named 2024's leading Louisiana stallion. Star Guitar stands at Clear Creek Stud.

Racing a mile on he dirt at the Fair Grounds, CONTRABAND EARLY  trailed early but found a seam inside and got up to break his maiden by a length. He is trained by  Shane Wilson for owner/breeder Brittlyn, Inc.

LA Bred TIFFANY'S FERRARI is far from home, she raced 4 furlongs at Fonner Park. She quickly gained the lead and won as she pleased by 7 lengths. She is trained by her owner Mark Hibdon. The four-year-old filly was bred by Dennis Milligan.

Making her third start I'M SO HOT vied in 2nd early going a mile at the Fair Grounds, then by the 3/4 pole she cleared the field and went on for the win by 7 lengths. She is trained by W. Bret Calhoun for owner/breeder Allied Racing Stable LLC.

RF IMPERIAL CHOICE, a quarter-horse filly, won her 4th race and the second in a row as a 3 year old  - this one named the Mardi Gras Oaks Trial at Louisiana Downs. She had been victorious the Mardi Gras Futurity Trial in her first start and was placed in the Lee Berwick Futurity Trial as a 2 year old. Purchased at the LQHBA Yearling Sale for $10,500, RF IMPERIAL CHOICE was bred by the Rogers Farm of Tim and Jennie Rogers, and  is now trained by Ismael Solis-Guevara for owner Armando Solis Castillo

As a 2-year-old TAMBOURINE STAR had not been off the board in his 5-lifetime starts including 2 stakes placings. Today at the Fair Grounds he won his 2nd race - this one an allowance racing very wide from off the pace and rallying for the win by 3/4 going 6 furlongs on the dirt.  The colt is a Brittlyn Stables homebred trained by Jose Camejo.

Clear Creek Stud  bred STAR ROCK STAR was stakes placed at 2 in the the Louisiana Futurity. Today the 3 year old broke his maiden racing 6 furlongs at the Fair Grounds. He encountered all sorts of traffic jams but found a seam on the inside and prevailed to win by 3 1/2 lengths. He is trained by Carrol Castille for owner Whispering Oaks Farm LLC.
 

MONEY KINGDOM made his 2nd start into a MSW graduation. Today racing a mile at Fair Grounds he travelled mid-pack then cleared when it counted and finished strongly to win by 2 3/4 lengths. He is a homebred for Allied Racing Stable trained by Bret Calhoun.

At 2, SIENNA BREEZE broke on top and stayed that way to easily win first time out by over 6 lengths. Today as a 8 year old mare she won for the 5th time and sent her earnings over $200,000. Racing 5 1/2 furlongs, she overcame a bump at the start then chased and overtook the leader to score by a head.  She is owned and trained by Charlie Rosier and was bred by Joey R. Agular.

Saturday’s racing at the Fair Grounds featured four stakes races for accredited Louisiana Breds. The Louisiana Stallion of the Year Star Guitar race honors the stallion in Louisiana whose Louisiana progeny earned the most money the previous year. There is also a Broodmare of the year race that this year featured Flashy Prize, the dam of Louisiana’s all time leading runner in Free Like A Girl. CLICK HEADLINES TO READ MORE

Courtesy of the TDN

A Grade II winner and Grade I-placed on the turf on the Southern California circuit, Fanticola has thrown four winners from four to the races, with Formidable Man clearly the best of them. (FANTOCOLA is now owned by CLEAR CREEK FARM and in foal to STAR GUITAR)

Clear Creek Stud purchased the mare for $60,000 in foal to Flatter at the 2021 Keeneland November Sale and the 3-year-old colt Cc Cola broke her maiden at second asking at Delta Downs Feb. 22. The mare's current 2-year-old, a filly by Knicks Go, was bought back for $97,000 at the Breeders' Sales Company of Louisiana Yearling Sale last September and she is also the dam of a yearling filly by Jack Christopher. Fanticola is due to Clear Creek's Star Guitar for her 2025 produce.

SIPPIN ON GIN ran down a full field of rivals in a MSW in his 2nd start and today jumped right up into stakes company in the Louisiana Stallion Of The Year Star Guitar Stakes at the Fair Grounds. Off at the longest odds, he found himself inside in traffic and had to sneak through at the rail bumping as he went, but managing the win by  1 1/2 for his first black type. He is trained by W. Bret Calhoun for owner/breeder: Allied Racing Stable LLC
 

At Tampa Bay, RAN THE RED circled her   field to break his maiden racing 6 1/2 furlongs on the dirt. She was claimed out of his winning race and we which his new connections the best of racing luck.

MSW CLEARLY A TEST won the Louisiana Stallion S. Presented by Coteau Grove Farms (her third stakes win), added another stakes pacing in the La Bred Premier Night Distaff and today ran 3rd in the Red Camelia Stakes at the Fair Ground. She had an awkward start and got buried in traffic and then floated wide but got up from last for the show.  This talented daughter of Clearly Now was bred by the Brittlyn Stable, Inc of Evelyn Benoit. She is trained by Shane Wilson

Bred by Ray Whitley RUNNINGINTHEMONEY is now trained by Abel Ramirez-Rodriguez for owner Timothy C. Guidry. Racing a mile on the dirt at the Fair Grounds, he shook clear early and held the lead for a  2 3/4 length victory and is 5th win lifetime.

2025 TEXAS TWO-YEAR-OLD IN TRAINING SALE - April 2, 2025
Hip 70 Gelding by CLEARLY NOW x CHRISTIAN COUNTY, by ARCHARCHARCH

Racing 5 1/2 furlongs at the Fair Grounds, POLITICAL AGENDA was inside early but found room outside and accelerated for a win by 8! He is trained  by Steven M. Asmussen for owners Kirk and Judy Robison.Breeder: Brad King,Clay Cash, Scott Bryant,Stan Kirby and Chris Coleman

SKIPPA sprinted to win #4 in allowance company at Fonner Park. H he is a closing sprinter and got to the wire in front today after finding room on the inside. He is trained by Kelli Martinez for owner D and L Farms. The breeder of record is Rebecca Farms LLC.

CLEARSUGAR laid off the pace, found an inside seam, and got through for the win and graduation. She raced a mile on the dirt at the Fair Grounds. The 3 year old filly is trained by Jose M. Camejo for owner Bertha Sanchez. Breeder: Alfonso Quintero Jr. & Maggie Camejo

BIG NICKEL has been hitting the board in MSW company multiple times and was even stakes placed in the Louisiana Cup Juvenile  but today given a break in class, he was much the best. Racing a mile at Sam Houston he went gate to wire and won by 3 3/4 lengths. The Clear Creek bred gelding is trained by Jaylan Renay Clary for owners Kevin Knuckley and Pat Heinsen.

OCEOLA added win #4  sprinting at Delta Downs. He made an inside bid and cleared to win by 1/2 a length.  He is trained by Terry Schultz for owner Jason Jarvis. His breeder is Bill Langford.

ISLAND CABANA was pinched back early but was able to rebreak and get up for the win and graduation. He raced 6 1/2 furlongs at Delta Downs and won by 1 1/2 lengths. He is a homebred for Tigertail Ranch and is trained by  Danny Pish.
 

QH MDA IMPERIAL RUNAWAY had all the speed and wired the field at Louisiana Downs for trainer Guillermo Martinez and owner  M and M Stables LLC (Alvarez) Breeder: Kenneth L Roberts Sr

ALINES VALENTINE broke his maiden by 3 1/2 last month. Running back today he was the speed of the race and held to win by 1 1/4 to notch win #2. He is trained by Shane Meche and owned by his breeder GM Assets LLC & Shane Meche.

Just more than a month after becoming the first winner for freshman sire Imperial Hint, TDZ HINT OF POWER also became the multiple grade 1 winner's first stakes winner in the $75,000 Louisiana Cup Juvenile Stakes at Louisiana Downs. Since then he was stakes placed in the Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile Stakes. Today he got his 2025 campaign underway with a gate-to-wire victory in allowance company at Delta Downs. He is a homebred for Tony Doughtie and is trained by Nason Eschete.

Second last out, THERMOSCAT raced 1 1/16 on the turf at the Fair Grounds to graduation. He went quickly to the lead on the inside, was briefly headed by an outside rival, fought back and prevailed by a nose. He is a Brittlyn homebred trained by Shane Wilson.

DEBBIES PASSAGE added win # 8 -  racing 5 furlongs at the Delta Downs. She vied for the lead early, grabbed it and drew off to win by 3 lengths. The 7-year-old mare has taken many to the winner's circle. She is now owned by LJ Racing Stables LLC. Her trainer continues to be Juan A. Larrosa. She was bred by Charles Phillips.

CALL ME RIP raced 5 furlongs to graduation at Delta Downs. He broke towards the back but had the lead quickly and held it to win by 1/2 a length. He is trained by Samuel Breaux for breeder Jody McDonald,and Ivery Sisters Racing
 

PRECIOUS MONEY made her second start a winning one.  Racing back going 6 furlongs at the Fair Grounds she overcame a rough trip to win for the 2nd time in a row.  She is trained by Bret Calhoun for owner/breeder Allied Racing.

PICKIN ANA GRINNIN has several huge wire-to-wire wins - one by over 13 lengths. Today she raced to an unchallenged wire-to-wire win  going  6 1/2 furlongs  in starter company at Delta Downs.  She once again rewarded her new trainer Eduardo Ramirez and owner Jerry T. Wheeler with this easy win - this time by 3 lengths. B: Coteau Grove Farms, LLC

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SACRED SAINT raced 5 1/2 furlongs at the Fair Grounds to a win by 1 1/2 lengths. She waited behind a dueiing pair then cleared for the victory. She is trained by Eric T. Scherer and is owned by Ken Sentel and Marianne Scherer.
Breeder: Brittlyn, Inc.

The featured race on the card was the $150,000 Louisiana Premier Night Championship and the heavy favorite was Set Hut, LLC’s Touchuponastar, who was attempting to win the race for the third consecutive year. Under jockey Tim Thornton the Jeff Delhomme trainee did not disappoint as he romped home to win easily in the 1-1/16 test for older horses.CLICK HEADLINES TO READ MORE

SIX STRING was victorious in the $100,000 Matron under jockey Casey Fusilier. The 4-year-old daughter of Star Guitar, out of the Harlan’s Holiday mare Oh Whata Holiday, is trained by Allen Landry and is owned by World War IV Racing and Rebel Tide Racing, LLC. The win marked Six String’s eighth trip to the winner’s circle from 13 overall starts. She was bred in Louisiana by her owners.

The $100,000 Sprint was won by the Eduardo Ramirez trainee MARKS PROMISE, who was ridden to victory by jockey Vicente Del Cid. The win was the fifth of Marks Promise’s 17-race career. He is owned by Sandy Badeaux.

Marks Promise is a 5-year-old gelding by Custom for Carlos, out of the Private Vow mare Private Promise. He was bred in Louisiana by Southern Legacy Thoroughbreds, LLC.

Scott Gelner owned and trained PRETTYWELL STACKED sped to the lead and graduated racing 6 1/2 furlongs at Delta Downs. She was claimed out of her winning race. Breeder: Kendel Standlee

The $50,000 Ragin Cajun Starter went to Baronne Farms, LLC’s HARDLY ABLE after he was moved up from second to first following a disqualification of Charco. Hardly Able was ridden to victory by jockey Casey Fusilier and is trained by Allen Landry. The win was the seventh of Hardly Able’s 18-race career.

Hardly Able was bred in Louisiana by William Kyle Harris. He is a dark bay or brown gelding by Custom for Carlos, out of the Interactif mare Taking Tips. 

8 year old gelding BAYOU JAM made his 64th start count with his 10th win - this going 7 1/2 furlongs at Delta Downs for current owner End Zone Athletics and trainer  Abel Ramirez-Rodriguez Breeder: Brittlyn, Inc.. This war horse brought many combinations of owner/trainers to to the winner's circle. He dueled and proved best in the stretch.

Stakes placed in the Crescent City Handicap, SAVED BY GRACE was claimed today by trainer Keith Bourgeois for owner Brian Miller out of her winning race at the Fair Grounds. This was win number 4. Racing a mile at the Fair Ground, she was off a beat slow but got up in time for the victory by a head. Breeder: Brittlyn, Inc.

JUS PRESS STAR  is a homebred for Pine Knoll Farm and trained by Michelle Lovell and is trained by Alice Cohn. She broke her maiden early last year and had a long break before an unsuccessful  start in allowance company at  Horseshoe Indianapolis. Back at the Fair Grounds, she overcame all sorts of trouble in the race to add her first 1X allowance condition racing a mile and 70.

MY DAD'S GUITAR  pulled away from the field with ease to wire the field and win by 7 1/4 lengths, making it 2 wins in a row. He raced 7 furlongs at Delta Downs.He is trained by Edith A. Mojica for owner  Mojica Stables, Inc. Breeder: Michael Maenza & Terry Gaffney

Already on the board twice, CRAWFISH BURT got the job done and donned cap and gown racing 6 furlongs at the Fair Grounds. He waited behind dueling horses then came wide to clear for the win by 2 lengths. He is owned and trained by  Sturges J. Ducoing.
Breeder: Ron Faucheux

RF IMPERIAL CHOICE, a quarter horse filly, won her 3rd race this one at two hundred and 50 yards at Delta Downs. She cleared to win with a speed index of 95.  She won the Mardi Gras Futurity Trial inher first start and was placed in the Lee Berwick Futurity Trial. Purchased at the LQHBA Yearling Sale for $10,500, RF IMPERIAL CHOICE was bred by the Rogers Farm of Tim and Jennie Rogers, is trained by Hector J. Sanchez for owner Armando Solis Castillo

Third first time out, SIPPIN ON GIN wasted no time graduating in his second start. Racing one mile and seventy in a race which came off the grass,  he was reserved behind horses then swung 4 wide in the lane and held off an inside rival for the win by 2 1/4. He is trained by W. Bret Calhoun for owner/breeder Allied Racing Stable LLC

DEBBIES PASSAGE added win # 7 -  racing 5 furlongs at the Delta Downs. She vied for the lead early, grabbed it and drew off to win by 8 3/4 lengths. The 7-year-old mare has taken many to the winner's circle. She is now owned by LJ Racing Stables LLC. Her trainer continues to be Juan A. Larrosa. She was bred by Charles Phillips.

As a two year old, SMASH IT won a MSW win on the last day of racing this season at Del Mar. Jumping straight into stakes company in the Speakeasy S at Santa Anita he ran 2nd. Next in the Zia Park Juvenile Stakes he pressed the pace then cleared for his first stakes win. Today he started his 3 yar old campaign with a 3rd in the Riley Allison Derby at Sunland Park.  He is trained by Todd W. Fincher and is a homebred for Brad King, Scott Bryant, Clay Cash, Chris Coleman & Stan Kirby (LA)

Scott Gainer owned and trained NATIVE STAR ran off with a mile race at the Fair Grounds. He trailed a dueling pair, caught up, and sailed to a 5 3/4 length win. Breeder: Kendel Standlee. This is win #3.

Stakes Placed in his last two starts, SW BEHEMAH STAR easily won a Fair Grounds an off the turf allowance at a mile and 70 on the dirt. He broke from the inside post, was in the lead by the 1/4, and went on to a victory by 1 3/4. The wonderful warrior has gone over 1/2 a million in earnings for owner/breeder Brittlyn and trainer Shane Wilson

GUITAR DOCTOR made it 2 in a row in allowance company last fall - missed one and today won another. -again sprinting 5 furlongs at Delta Downs. He was bumped at the start but had early speed and dueled for the win  by 1 length. This very profitable LA Bred iis trained by Eduardo Ramirez for owner Susan K. Love. Breeder: Wayne Love

Also at Delta Downs. ALINES VALENTINE broke his maiden by 3 1/2. He is trained by Shane Meche and owned by his breeder GM Assets LLC & Shane Meche.

BOB F. WRIGHT MEMORIAL S., Fair Grounds, 
2--MANAMA GOLD,  f, 4, Star Guitar--Charged Cotton, by Dehere. ($100,000 Ylg '22 KEESEP; $200,000 2yo '23 OBSAPR). O-Victorious Racing LLC; B-Brittlyn, Inc. (LA); T-Cherie DeVaux.

GARY P. PALMISANO MEMORIAL STAKES Fair Grounds
3 -- TDZSHININLUCKYSTAR, G 4 Star Guitar - Tdz Mandycorrienda, by El Corredor. O/B TTony Doughtie T Nason Eschete

HARDLY ABLE, now trained by Alan Landry has been on an earning spree with 3 wins and a 2nd in his last 4 starts, a. He stalked and cleared for the win by 2 this time sprinting at Delta Downs. He is owned by Baronne Farms, LLC. Breeder: William Kyle Harris

LA. GRAND SLAM made her 3rd start a winning one also for trainer Allen Landry at Delta Downs.  She had speed straight from the gate ad went on to win by a length sprinting 5 furlongs. She is owned by Susan Verret William Andrade MD & Summer Hill Farm, LLC

Winner of the Louisiana Futurity at two, GUITAR SOLO sped to the front and stayed there holding off the closer to win the Acadiana Stakes at Evangeline Downs by a length. Today in allowance company he pressed the pace, dueled and won by a nose.  The  World War IV homebred is trained by  Allen Landry. He has won 4 of 7 starts and earned $162,000.

Also at Delta Downs in his 2nd MSW start, SAME PLAY pulled away to graduate by 6 1/2 racing 7 1/2 furlongs. He hit the board in 2nd in his first outing. The newly turned 3 year old gelding is trained by Jerry Delhomme for Set-Hut LLCBreeder: Robin Lane Thoroughbreds, LLC

CUSTOMERUNHAPPY  has hit the board in his last 4 starts and recently broke her maiden racing 5 furlongs at Delta Downs. Sprinting the same distance at the same track she pressed this pace to add win #2. She s trained by  Eduardo Ramirez for owner Susan K. Love.
Breeder: Wayne K. Love
OCEOLA added win #3 also sprinting at Delta Downs. He made an inside bid nd cleared to win by 2 3/4 lengths.  He is trained by Robert D. Schultz for owner Jason Jarvis. His breeder is Bill Langfor

GRACEFUL STAR showed early speed and drew away to an easy win by 8 lengths. She raced 7 furlongs at Delta Downs. TThe newly turned 3 year old filly is trained by co-owner Hance Robbins, Jr. and Joshua Henderson.
Breeder: Brittlyn, Inc.

CUSTOM CANDY raced 5 furlongs to a 3 length win at Delta Downs for trainer Eduardo Ramirez and owner Susan K. Love..  She came from off the base using a seam on the rail.  She was bred by Wayne Love.

At Gulfstream, NY Bred LITA sprinted 5 1/2 furlongs on the all-weather track to win #3. She set the pace and won wire to wire by 2 lengths, She is trained by Steve Klesaris for owners Hibiscus Stables LLC and her trainer. LITA was bred by Jerry Bilinski, DVM, Roddy Valente & Dr. Rick Alfred.

Stakes placed GRUNT benefitted with a drop in class and ran away with a t 1/2 furlongs at Delta Downs for win #6.  He drew off to score by 5 1/4 lengths,  Grunt is a homebred for LisaCheramie Rousse an is trained by Brett A. Brinkman.

Racing 7 furlongs at Delta Downs, RUN CARLOS  stalked the pace on the inside then slipped through for win  #4 by 1 3/4 lengths.   The gelding is now trained by Ricardo Saul Castillo for owner Triple C Racing Stables LLC. Breeder: Warran J. Harang.

RAZOR CREST benefited by a drop in class and made a bold inside move to break his maiden by 7 1/2 lengths going 6 furlongs at the Fair Grounds,  for owners Earl Hernandez, Keith Hernandez, and John Duvieilh.
Breeder: Rebecca Dunaway McLindon

LOUISIANA FUTURITY, $124,370, Fair Grounds, 12-29, (S), 2yo, f, 6f, 1:10.83, ft.
SECOND: - BET TOWINIT, 122, f, 2, Star Guitar--Giagiajoe, by Wildcat Heir. ($18,000 Ylg '23 BSLY&M). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Anthony D.Nuzzi; B-Jose Camejo (LA); T-Allen Landry. $24,874. 

LOUISIANA FUTURITY, $120,970, Fair Grounds, 12-29, (S), 2yo, 6f, 1:09.58, ft.
THIRD--STAR ROCK STAR 122, g, 2, Star Guitar--After Thought, by    Fusaichi Pegasus. ($45,000 Ylg '23 BSLY&M). 1ST BLACK TYPE.    O-Whispering Oaks Farm LLC; B-Clear Creek Stud LLC (LA);    T-Carrol Castille. $13,307.