The second of three Starlight Racing programs during
Fair Grounds’ 2009-2010 Thoroughbred Racing Season Presented by Miller Lite was
deemed an “unqualified success” by Fair Grounds president Austin Miller.
“After such a long few weeks of parties for the Super
Bowl and Mardi Gras, I was really afraid that the people of New
Orleans might be all ‘partied
out’ for Starlight Racing tonight,” said Miller, “but I was completely wrong. I
love to be wrong that way. I believe I felt more energy in this building
tonight than I have ever felt before.”
In the $44,500 featured race of the evening, Bonnie Heath
Farm’s Mad Flatter forged quickly to the front, made the pace throughout
and then held on courageously in the final furlong to withstand the gritty
sustained challenge of Elisabeth Alexander’s Fundy by a neck.
Mad Flatter returned mutuels of $9.40, and $4.20 with no
show wagering allowed in the field reduced to five horses following the program
scratch of King Dan. Trained by Jeff Thornbury and ridden by Fair
Grounds defending jockey champion Robby Albarado, the 5-year-old entire
son of Flatter toured the 1 1/16-mile distance in 1:44.25 after setting early
splits of 23:74, and 47.29, and increased his career earnings to $128,118 with
his fourth victory in 10 lifetime starts.
Fundy was clearly best of the others, paying $4 to place
while a length behind in third was Jim Tafel’s Country Flavor, who
improved position late as part of the favored Tafel-owned entry.
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