Statebreds Outrun their Odds in the Crescent City Derby, Oaks, and Costa Rising — Pedroza Jr. Wins 2
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Statebreds Outrun their Odds in the Crescent City Derby, Oaks, and Costa Rising
Cosmic Train Holds Off More Memories To Win Crescent City Derby Thriller
New Orleans, LA (March 26, 2022) — Delanie Calais Jr.’s Cosmic Train, under jockey James Graham, made a bold rally to the inside of More Memories to win a thrilling rendition of the 50th running of the $75,000 Crescent City Derby.
Cosmic Train, conditioned by Jerry Delhomme completed 1 1/16 miles in 1:43.78.
In the early stages of the Crescent City Derby, Jack Bob and Larry took command of the field into the first turn but was soon passed by Bind Faith, who established command after a quarter-mile in :23.43. Soon after Bind Faith completed a half-mile in :47.32, Jack Bob and Larry began to re-pressure the lone leader. Meanwhile, Cosmic Train and More Memories began their rally to the front and quickly passed the tiring pacesetters. Inside the 1/16 pole, Cosmic Train and More Memories spurted clear from the field and battled to the wire where the Delhomme trainee held on for a head victory.
Cosmic Train returned mutuel payoffs of $26.40, $8.20 and $4.60. More Memories, with Joel Rosario, paid $3.20 and $2.80. Jack Bob and Larry, under Jorge Guzman, gamely held third and paid $5.60.
Tambourine Star closed for fourth followed by Play Mo, Its Wild Again, Fiesty Fist, Vodka Gimlet, Bind Faith and Illtellyouthefacts.
Cosmic Train earned $45,000 for his victory and boosted his career record to 4-3-0-0.
Cosmic Train is a son of Klimt out of the Any Given Saturday mare Cosmic Emergency. He was bred in Louisiana by Coteau Grove Farms.
Crescent City Derby Quotes:
James Graham, jockey of Cosmic Train(1st): “I just let my horse get settled early in the race. I could see the leaders going at it and I was able to rally past them late..”
Jerry Delhomme (1st): “It was a thrilling win to all of us and special to the owner. This horse has been great to us so far.”
DREAMING OF NEANY RALLIES LATE TO WIN THE 17TH RUNNING OF $75,000 CRESCENT CITY OAKS
New Orleans, LA (March 26, 2022) — Steve Landry, John Duvielih and Earl and Keith Hernandez’ Dreaming of Neany boldy split horses in mid-stretch under jockey Marcelino Pedroza Jr. to overtake 63-1 longshot Courtly Doc to win the $75,000 Crescent City Oaks by one-length.
Dreaming of Neany, named in honor of trainer Sam David Jr.’s late wife, covered the 1 mile and 70 yard Crescent City Oaks in 1:44.05.
Even-money favorite Serape was sent to the early lead under Brian Hernandez Jr. and settled through an opening quarter-mile fraction in :23.29. Following a half-mile in :47.07, Serape received pressure on the lead by longshot Courtly Doc and Miss Jana. Around the far turn, Dreaming of Neany began to make her move closer to the leaders after tracking in fourth through the early stages of the race. At the eighth-pole, Dreaming of Neany was able to rally past a tiring Serape and grudgingly got by Courtly Doc for a one-length score.
Dreaming of Neany rewarded her backers with $2 mutuel payouts of $19.60, $8,80 and $5.60. Courtly Doc and Alexander Castillo returned $42.80 and $17.40. Bode’s Connection, ridden by Emmanuel Nieves, rallied for third and returned $18.80.
Dreaming of Neany is a 3-year-old chestnut filly by Distorted Humor out of the Heatseeker (IRE) mare Hot Tempo. She was bred in the Bayou State by her owners.
Mishpachah finished fourth followed by Wholelottamo, Miss Jana, My Nanny’s a Hoot, Serape and Buckley Bunny.
Crescent City Oaks Quotes:
Marcelino Pedroza Jr., jockey of Dreaming of Neany (1st): “She broke OK but we were a little wide in first turn. After that we were able to save all ground. She just took me there and I just had to be patient. I knew when a hole opened she would have energy left to give me in the stretch.”
Sam David Jr., trainer of Dreaming of Neany (1st): “She’s got a special place in our heart. The owners named her after my late wife, who died suddenly a few years ago. She’s a great filly. She her first start going 6 ½ furlongs. We ran her back sprinting but the further she goes the better she gets.”
Yankee Seven’s Third Costa Rising is the Charm
L and G Racing’s former $25,000 claim Yankee Seven rallied past pacesetting Bertie’s Galaxy to win Saturday’s 12th running of the Costa Rising Stakes at Fair Grounds.
Trained by Eduardo Ramirez and ridden by Marcelino Pedroza Jr., Yankee Seven completed the 5 ½ furlong turf dash in 1:03.78. It was Pedroza’s second stakes victory Saturday afternoon after winning aboard Dreaming of Neany in the $75,000 Crescent City Oaks.
Bertie’s Galaxy was hustled out of the starting gate by jockey Jareth Loveberry to secure a lone lead through a swift opening fraction of :22.31. Yankee Seven tracked just off the lead of Bertie’s Galaxy until the far turn when Pedroza began his charge. Following a half-mile clocking of :45.71, Yankee Seven was able to rally alongside Bertie’s Galaxy and drew clear inside the 1/16th pole for a two-length victory.
It was 4 ¾ lengths back to Alterana followed by Hail State, X Clown, Custom Deelite, Swot Analysis, Half Again, A Song for Arch, Classy John, Smooth Colliery and Jake the Band Man.
Yankee Seven returned $12.80, $6.20 and $4.60. Bertie’s Galaxy paid $5 and $4 while Alterana returned $9.
Yankee Seven is a 6-year-old gelded son of Yankee Gentleman out of the War Front mare Real Peace. Yankee Seven was bred in the Pelican State by his former trainer Steve Margolis along with Wahl & Assoc., George Messina and Kerima Haddad.
With his victory in the Costa Rising, Yankee Seven improved his career mark to 24-6-3-2 with earnings of $216,950.
Costa Rising Quotes
Marcelino Pedroza Jr., jockey of Yankee Seven (1st): “That was the plan. The trainer told me if you put him a length behind in turn you can see who can run faster turning to home. And we did. I want to thank my wife (Rocio) and kids (Rosie and Jeremy) for always supporting me. They’re not here with me today but they are watching for home. Thanks to everyone for the support this meet.”
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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 15 off-track betting parlors throughout Southeast Louisiana. The 150th Thoroughbred Racing Season – highlighted by the 109th running of the Louisiana Derby – will run from November 25, 2021 through March 27, 2022. More information is available online at www.fairgroundsracecourse.com.
