Pound for Pound Wins Louisiana Champions Day Classic

Israel Flores Horses' Pound for Pound edged Trevilion to take the $150,000 Louisiana Champions Day Classic, giving trainer Andrea Ancil Ali and jockey Aubrie Green their first black-type wins Dec. 14 at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.

The Classic was the highlight on a 13-race card for accredited Louisiana-breds, including three Quarter Horse stakes.

The 1 1/8-mile Classic was the third race in which Ali saddled Pound for Pound, who was previously trained by Jose Grimaldo. The 4-year-old Redding Colliery colt also won the Louisiana Futurity at 2.

Pound for Pound settled in second in the Classic behind Trevilion, who set fractions of :24.79, :49.22, and 1:14.17. Trevilion turned for home two wide, with Pound for Pound one more path out, and the two dueled down the home stretch together. Both horses drifted out, but Pound for Pound made his final bid at the sixteenth pole and crossed the wire half a length in front. 

The final time was 1:52.98 on a fast track.

"This horse has a ton of heart," Green said. "I rode him here last year and had a couple of second-place finishes on him. He had a little time off, then he came back and won an allowance race almost two weeks ago over at Delta Downs, and I knew that was going to have him tight and ready for this race. I wanted to be forward-placed, but I didn't want the lead today. He seems to have a little more heart when he has something to chase. He's feeling better than he's ever been since I've been riding him."

Underpressure rallied for third, and Star Fitzstall ran a steady fourth. 

Pound for Pound was bred by J. Adcock and B & B Bloodstock out of Buttercup's Song, a daughter of Unbridled's Song. He is a half brother to Ft. Lauderdale Stakes (G2T) winner Flatlined. New Castle Farm purchased the colt for $5,000 from Red River Farm's consignment to the 2016 Equine Sales of Louisiana Yearling Sale.

From a 5-5-1 record in 18 starts, Pound for Pound has earned $303,818.

Video: Louisiana Champions Day Classic S. (BT)

Jockey Florent Geroux accomplished a hat track, and he kicked off the Thoroughbred stakes races by winning aboard Vacherie Girl in the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Lassie, leaving the 2-year-old Tapiture  filly undefeated in two starts. She completed six furlongs in 1:12.01.

Geroux also won the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile with Chimney Rock, the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G2T) runner-up who switched to dirt and won by 6 1/2 lengths, running six furlongs in 1:11.46. Chimney Rock marked the 50th black-type winner for his sire, Artie Schiller.

Geroux's third win came aboard Net a Bear, who rallied from last of 10 in the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Ladies Turf. The 3-year-old Awesome Bet filly ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:47.96 on firm going.

"Winning three races on a day like today is great," Geroux said. "I am very thankful for all of the trainers giving me the opportunity. It makes it a lot easier when you're riding for these good trainers."

Honorable Miss Handicap (G2) winner Minit to Stardom was placed first by stewards in the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Ladies Sprint following a steward's inquiry and objection by jockey Alex Cintron. The 4-year-old Star Guitar  filly passed pacesetter Midnight Fantasy on the outside, then crossed the wire second after Cintron had to steady her when Midnight Fantasy drifted out.

Ninety One Assault, a 6-year-old gelding by Artie Schiller, earned his first stakes win in the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Turf. He rallied from sixth to finish 1 1/16 miles in 1:47.06.

Laughingsaintssong, a 5-year-old gelding by Songandaprayer, closed the stakes races in the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Sprint, dashing six furlongs in 1:10.19.