Sunbean in Hand for Easy Delta Mile Victory

Brittlyn Stables' homebred Sunbean rallied smartly off the turn and romped away to an eye-catching victory in the $250,000 Delta Mile Stakes Nov. 22 at Delta Downs Racetrack, Casino & Hotel . 

 

The one-mile race was one of seven stakes on the undercard for the $1 million Delta Downs Jackpot Stakes (gr. III) at the Vinton, La. track. 

 

Tracking from third early as Decisive Moment set a moderate pace, pressed about a half-length back by 2013 Delta Mile winner Grand Contender, Sunbean hit another gear coming off the home turn. He dispatched the front-runners and drew away with Richard Eramia riding hands and heels. 

 

The 9-10 favorite in the five-horse field, Sunbean covered the distance in 1:38.25 and paid $3.80 to win. Agent Di Nozzo was up to deny Grand Contender by 1 1/2 lengths for second after racing in last place in the opening quarter mile. 

 

Sunbean is now undefeated in four starts at Delta Downs and 5-for-5 at the one-mile trip.

 

Trained by Ron Fancheux, Sunbean won for the sixth time in eight starts this year, and tallied his 12th win from 19 career outings. The son 4-year-old Louisiana-bred son of Brahms out of X Strawdnair, by Malagra, entered the Delta Mile following his stakes record-setting victory going a mile earlier this month in the Gold Cup Stakes at Delta Downs. He has 11 stakes wins and $910,150 in earnings

 

Also on Saturday's card:

 

--Whispering Oaks Farm's D'Cajun Cat (by D'wildcat  ) led at every point of call with Gerard Melancon and won the $75,000 Sam's Town Stakes .

 

--Whispering Oaks, trainer Steve Flint, and Melancon struck again in the following race, the $150,000 Louisiana Legacy Stakes, when Four Leaf Chief (Lookin At Lucky  ) won by 4 1/2 lengths .

 

--Al and Bill Ulwelling and trainer Gary Scherer's Wind Chill Factor (Successful Appeal  ) kicked from last with Willie Martinez to capture the $150,000 Louisiana Jewel Stakes .

 

--Mike Smith piloted DP Racing's 11-10 favorite Yahilwa (Medaglia d'Oro  ) to a 2 1/4-length triumph in the $200,000 Treasure Chest Stakes for trainer Jim Cassidy . The same connections came back two races later to win the track's marquee race, the Delta Downs Jackpot, with Ocho Ocho Ocho.

 

--Dream Makers Racing's Honeycomb Allie (Afleet Alex  ) edged clear late and won the $75,000 Orleans Stakes with Colby Hernandez .