Costa Rising Wins 6th Straight on Louisiana Champions Day

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Charles A. Castille Jr.'s Costa Rising won his sixth consecutive race when he captured the $100,000 Louisiana Breeders' Derby for 3-year-olds Saturday by two lengths to highlight Louisiana Champions Day at Louisiana Downs.

Costa Rising has four stakes victories over state-breds in that winning streak, two of them on turf. Trained by Joseph Boxie, the dark bay Royal Strand colt has won seven of 11 starts overall with earnings of $242,748.

Ridden by Mario Reyes, the 4-5 favorite Costa Rising stalked the pacesetter Sprightly Star to the lane, then outfought Chromite and Will to Succeed for the victory. He completed the 1 1/16-mile event in 1:4 2/5.

Costa Rising paid $3.60, $3 and $2.20.

Elsewhere on the Louisiana Champions card:

Charlene Touzet Thorson's Meteor Impact, ridden by Kerwin Clark, held off 3-2 favorite Zarb's Dahar by 2 1/2 lengths to win the $100,000 Cajun Stakes for trainer Connie Tassistro.

Alane Inc.'s favored Our Love, Gerard Melancon aboard, coasted to a two-length win in the $100,000 Walmac Farm Matchmaker for fillies and mares. Jeff Trosclair trains the winner.

Valene Farms' Princess Deelite rallied to win the $100,000 Laurel Lane for 2-year-old fillies with Luis Quinonez riding. Trained by Troy Young, Princess Deelite defeated Kristi's Add On by 2 1/4 lengths with favored Joangel third.

Joe Hackler's Cutie Sabrina sprang a 12-1 upset in a gate-to-wire win for jockey Billy Patin and trainer Abel Blanchard in the $100,000 Louisiana Breeders' Oaks for 3-year-old fillies. Tortuga Flats, the 17-10 choice, finished fourth.

Michael Almerico's Tensas Star, ridden by Jose Riquelme, nipped 9-5 favorite Hottamolly to register a 10-1 surprise for trainer Harold Hahn III in the $100,000 Victoria for fillies and mares.

Margarita Man, owned by Denise Morrison and Julie Ann Womack, captured the $100,000 Stardust for 2-year-olds with Donnie Meche in the saddle. Margarita Man, trained by Scott Blasi, won by 1 1/2 lengths over Power Surge. Time Taker, the 7-5 choice, finished last in the field of six.

Israel Flores' Diggy Fresh, Donnie Meche aboard, nosed Spruce's Prince and brother Lonnie Meche, in the $100,000 Shiskabob on the turf. James Hodges trains the winner, who went off at odds of 21-1.

(Chart, Equibase)

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