Lightemupwithcharm Earns First Stakes Win in Louisiana Purchase Stakes

Lightemupwithcharm, under jockey Antonio Alberto, easily wins the $40,000 Louisiana Purchase Stakes at Delta Downs on Saturday night.

© Coady Photography

VINTON, LOUISIANA – APRIL 21, 2018 – A multiple graded stakes qualifier and stakes placed finisher, Lightemupwithcharm ($9.00) picked up his first career stakes win in the $40,000 Louisiana Purchase Stakes at Delta Downs on Saturday night.

The 350-yard race was open to 3-year-olds and up who had never won a stakes race. Lightemupwithcharm and jockey Antonio Alberto won by a half-length and picked up a time of 17.232 and a 103 speed index.

Lightemupwithcharm is a 4-year-old gelding trained by Willie J. Simien, Jr. for owner Saul Dorado. He was bred in Louisiana by Jumonville Farms, by Sizzlin Cartel, out of Grace Filled Charm, by Feature Mr Jess.

Lightemupwithcharm placed third in his previous start in the LQHBA Breeders Derby at Evangeline in December of last year. He qualified for the Delta Downs Derby (RG3) last summer and the LQHBA Sale Futurity at the Fair Grounds in 2016. With Saturday night’s win, he has won 5 of his 15 lifetime starts and has earned over $122,000.

The winning connecints of Lightmeupwithcharm accept the Louisiana Purchase stakes trophy Saturday at Delta Downs. © Coady Photography

The post-time favorite, Bjs Magic Wings, broke mid-pack with jockey Luciano Duenez and gained ground to finish second. Bjs Magic Wings is a 6-year-old gelding by Dragon Wings, out of the First to Shine mare Magic Shine.

Bjs Magic Wings was bred in Louisiana by Bessie Lea Jeane; he is trained by Kenneth Weeks and owned by Lester Colomb, Jr. The gelding has yet to add a stakes win to his list, but added another stakes placing and is 10 for 28 lifetime with $146,050 in career earnings.

Punctuality broke on top but was caught by Lightemupwithcharm in the stretch and finished a neck behind Bjs Magic Wings at the wire. Ridden by David Alvarez, Punctuality is owned by Gerardo M. Morales and is trained by Juan A. Carrillo, Jr.

The daughter of Jet Black Patriot was bred in Louisiana by Pat Ladner, out of the Wildcat Shoes mare Kay P. She is also multiple stakes placed, with 7 wins in 27 starts and earnings of nearly $110,000.

Completing the field were Bubba Mallard, Royal Quick Patriot, Toasted Runaway, Sizzlin On Da Bayou, Bankin On Bux, Jrs Natural Runaway and Heza Truckin.