Brittany’s Dream Rallies to Top of Division with Win in Louisiana Stallion of the Year “Star Guitar” Stakes

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Accommodate Eva Proves Two Turns in the Louisiana Broodmare of the Year Stakes

New Orleans, La (Feb. 24, 2024) – After eating dirt early and muscling through tight quarters late, Thomas Holyfield’s homebred Brittany’s Dream rallied up the rail to win the $100,000 Louisiana Stallion of the Year “Star Guitar” Stakes at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. Going 1 mile 70 yards and stopping the clock at 1:44.43, Brittany’s Dream’s asserted himself atop the division of 3-year-old Louisiana-bred male routers.

Piloted by Jose Guerrero and trained by the current meet-leader Shane Wilson, the son of Always Dreaming out of Brittany’s Tuition won by 3/4 length over the public’s top pick El Dinero, who outdueled Good and Stout through the final furlong.

“We were disappointed with his first start sprinting,” Wilson said. “He had been doing everything right, and he’d worked like babies had never worked for me before. He came back in his second start and he ate dirt before running a big race once he got to the rail. All the mare’s foals got better going further, so we knew more distance would be key. When he broke his maiden, he pulled up after making the lead so today we wanted to bury him and give him some horses to chase. We knew he’d eat the dirt. After being so high on him from the beginning, it’s really rewarding to see him put it all together.”

As several got caught in a scuffle out of the gates, two front-runners emerged unscathed as Carpis set out to lead the field of ten through :23.59 and :47.18 quick opening quarters. With Spinning Aces in hot pursuit, a duel down the backstretch unfolded as Brittany’s Dream navigated a rail run taking kickback under a strong hold from his rider. Encroaching on the fading front runners in the far turn, Good and Stout emerged from the crowd with run as El Dinero saw out his wide bid, and the two engaged down the stretch. Brittany’s Dream held the rail before delivering a blow to an outer foe to make room and measure up the leaders. Slashing back to the rail at the 1/16th pole, Brittany’s Dream rallied triumphantly.

“I want to give thanks to Shane (Wilson) for this opportunity,” Guerrero said. “The race went well, I knew what kind of horse I had after he had run so well going long last time. Today he sat in a good position and I was satisfied with how he was going throughout.”

With both wins coming at two turns, Brittany’s Dream tallies a career record of 4-2-1-0 and $106,200 in earnings. A generous $13.40, $5.60, and $3.80 was paid out to his market supporters.

Accommodate Eva Proves Herself Going Two Turns in the Louisiana Broodmare of the Year Stakes

Valene Farms’ Accommodate Eva proved convincingly she can win going a route of ground, scoring in Saturday’s $100,000 Louisiana Broodmare of the Year “Lipstick Junky” Stakes by 5 1/4 lengths at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. Beating seven 3-year-old Louisiana-bred fillies, the Louisiana Champions Day Lassie victress covered one mile in 1:38.51 under jockey Corey Lanerie.

Troubled early, Emily’s Bullet ran well late to get up for second over a tough-trip Lightofmaine.

Accommodate Eva is trained by Dallas Stewart, who was with Hoist the Gold at King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh for the $20 million Saudi Cup. Owner Murray Valene was on hand for the win.

“That was terrific,” Valene said. “She’s a nice filly, who tries hard. She’s learning how to run right now and she continues to get better.”

Powering through tight quarters out of the gate, Accommodate Eva relaxed in midpack and began tracking co-favorite Clearly a Test and the leader Wonderrand who clicked through moderate fractions of :24.39 and :48.65. As the forward group of fillies bunched up at the top of the stretch, Accommodate Eva saw an opening and shot through it to take the lead with a furlong to go. From there, she poured it on under a handride, pulling away by open lengths.

“Dallas and her team brought her over here ready,” Lanerie said. “I’d like to thank Murray Valene for letting me ride her. I was just a passenger, sitting on the inside waiting for room. I positioned myself right behind Clearly a Test. I thought she was the filly to beat and she’d take me at least to the 1/8th pole and after that I could hopefully find some running room. At the quarter pole I had to push my way out but once I found daylight it was over.”

Having broken her maiden going seven furlongs at Keeneland in October, Accommodate Eva was entered ambitiously going two turns first in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies and later in the Silverbulletday, where she failed to contend in either contest. Witnessing her resolute win going long on Saturday, after the race Valene said the daughter of Munnings could try open company again.

“We may try the (Fair Grounds) Oaks, we don’t know,” Valene said. “She was pretty impressive today so we’ll see what happens.”

With two stakes wins on her resume, Accommodate Eva’s career record stands at 8-3-0-1 with $189,230 in the bank. Her backers were rewarded with $6.20, $3.80, and $3.00.

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About Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots

Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots, one of the nation’s oldest racetracks, has been in operation since 1872. Located in New Orleans, LA, Fair Grounds, which is owned by Churchill Downs Incorporated (NASDAQ Global Select Market: CHDN), also operates a slot-machine gaming facility and 16 off-track betting parlors throughout Southeast Louisiana. The 152nd Thoroughbred Racing Season–highlighted by the 111th running of the Louisiana Derby–will run from Nov. 17, 2023 through March 24, 2024. More information is available online at www.fgno.com.