Snug, ridden by Gerard Melancon, outfought favored Snakebite Kit in the $100,000 Louisiana Cup Turf Classic (VIDEO) to produce a 1 1/2-length victory at Louisiana Downs.
The Turf Classic was one of four $100,000 races on the May 22 Louisiana Cup program for state-breds.
Snug is owned and bred by Heiligbrodt Racing Stable and trained by James Hudson. The 5-year-old gelding by Swamp--Tulias, by West by West, now has back-to-back turf wins after racing mostly on dirt in his 26-race career. Snug won an allowance race at Evangeline Downs May 1.
Part of a Heiligbrodt-owned entry with the Steve Asmussen-trained Hallway, who finished ninth in the 13-horse field, Snug earned his first stakes win since taking the Gold Cup at Delta Downs in March 2009. He won for the seventh time and boosted his earnings to $433,300 with the winning share of $60,000. He paid $9 to win.
Snakebite Kit, the 11-10 elect ridden by John Jacinto, finished second, a half-length better than Kissimmee Kyle, with Richard Eramia aboard. The final time for the 1 1/16-mile event was 1:43.15 over a firm turf.
A race earlier, Dynapac, ridden by Eramia, drew clear of Productive Envoy to win the $100,000 Louisiana Cup Derby (VIDEO) for 3-year-olds by two lengths.
James Hodges trains the winning bay gelding by Reformer Rally--Foolish Gator, by Green Alligator, for owner/breeder Pop-A-Top. Dynapac paid $10 to win. Productive Envoy was four lengths clear of the show horse, Onethreesevenbox. Heavenville, the 5-2 choice, ran fifth. The final time for the seven-furlong test was 1:23.01.
Vickies in Town, a 19-1 outsider with Don Simington aboard, scored a two-length victory over 29-1 Token Diva in the $100,000 Louisiana Cup Distaff Stakes (VIDEO) on the turf.
Ray Spencer owns and trains the 5-year-old mare by Leestown--Proper Id, by Beaudelaire. The winner was bred by Don and Terry Branham.
Vickies in Town ranged up three wide to get the lead in the lane, holding the late-running Token Diva safe. She paid $41.20 to win and topped an $808.80 exacta. Skipping Town, at 17-10, finished third, with 11-10 favorite Hisse fourth. The final time was 1:43.77 for the 1 1/16-mile distance.
Simington also produced a boxcar payoff when 33-1 shot Debris won the Louisiana Cup Oaks (VIDEO) for 3-year-old fillies by a half-length over Daphne Angela. Odds-on choice Shezacrazygirl finished third,
Debris, trained by Tony Richey for Israel Flores Horses, battled on the front end all the way before putting Daphne Angela away in the final strides. The final time for the seven furlongs was 1:22.96.
Heiligbrodt Racing Stable bred Debris, who is by Trippi--Pretty Money, by Well Decorated.
Snug powers home in the Louisiana Cup Turf Classic.
Hodges Photography/Alexander Barkoff