"While I had never ridden her before, I had worked her a few times this winter and knew what was under the hood," he said. "It was cold tonight, and I never really asked her to run and yet her running time for the mile of 1:38 3/5 was only two-fifths of a second off the track record."Prince T. won the evening's richest race, the $150,000 Louisiana Premiere Night Championship, rewarding his backers with an $11 return. The rapidly improving son of Royal Anthem outfinished a tough customer in Badtotheboneandrew by a neck after a spirited duel in the final furlong. Nitro Chip, the defending champion and race favorite at odds of 6/5, weakened late after attending the early pace. Prince T. capped a big night for both Leggio and jockey Guy Smith. Along with winning the Championship, they teamed up to win the $100,000 Prince for 3-year-olds with Hud's Playmate ($30.20). In addition to Leggio's win with Happy Ticket, Smith won the $60,000 Matron with Destiny Calls ($3.60).Other winners on the Premiere Night program were Brandon's Marfa ($16.40) in the $60,000 Sprint and Leesa Lee ($16.60) in the $100,000 Starlet.
(Chart, Equibase)