Golden Actor Stars in Jean Lafitte Victory
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Golden Actor played the starring role in the $200,000 Jean Lafitte Stakes the night of Oct. 25 at Delta Downs Racetrack Casino and Hotel with a 4 1/4-length score in his stakes debut.
The 2-year-old son of Curlin earned an automatic berth for the $1 million Delta Downs Jackpot (gr. III) Nov. 22 at the Vinton, La., track for owner Thoroughbred Champion Training Center.
With Jose Gallego aboard for trainer Ignacio Roncancio, Golden Actor won for the second time in three starts while covering the one-mile distance in 1:39.82.
Catherine Parke, Susan Knoll, and Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings bred Golden Actor in Kentucky. The chestnut colt is out of Clever Actress, by Theatrical.
After breaking from the inside post position in a field of eight, Golden Actor settled behind the leaders while saving ground around both turns. At the midway point of the far turn Golden Actor launched a strong bid for the lead and got clear of pacesetter Control Stake in the short stretch, finishing well clear of the runner-up in a solid effort.
Sent off as the second choice, Golden Actor paid $8.20, $4.40, and $3.40 across the board as a supplemental entrant to the Jean Lafitte field. Control Stake, with Gerard Melancon riding, was 6 3/4 lengths clear of third-place Incremental and returned $4.20 and $3.80. The exacta was worth $43.80. Incremental, with Colby Hernandez aboard, paid $3.60.
Big Big Easy, the 2-1 favorite, pressed Control Stake for the opening half mile before weakening to fifth.
Golden Actor broke his maiden at Gulfstream Park West in his most recent start Oct. 13 after finishing a fast-closing second in his career debut at Gulfstream Park just nine days earlier. Earning $120,000 for Saturday's victory, his bankroll now stands at $148,800.
Golden Actor was a $20,000 purchase at last year's Keeneland September yearling sale by Jamie Mejia from the Valkyre Stud consignment. He failed to meet his reserve at $40,000 when consigned by his current owner at the Ocala Breeders' Sales Co.'s June 2014 open sale of 2-year-olds and horses of racing age.