News - Racing March  29, 2024

Tf Corona N Passion Steps Up In Louisiana Downs Marathon Stakes Opener


Tf Corona N Passion, under jockey John Hamilton, cruises to victory in Saturday's Marathon Stakes on Louisiana Downs opening day card.

© Lou Hodges Photography / Lynn Roberts

BOSSIER CITY, LA—JANUARY 10, 2015—Coming off a third-place effort for a $5,000 tag on November 12 at Evangeline Downs, Tf Corona N Passion (14-1) broke alertly and challenged Downtown Forest throughout before driving to a 2˝ length victory in the $15,000 Marathon Stakes on Louisiana Downs opening day race card Saturday afternoon. Streak Of Music finished a length back to take third.

Jockey John Hamilton, who also won the Harrah's Dash Stakes on Saturday's card, rode the Too Tough To Catch gelding to his first stakes win and fifth victory in 15 career starts. Steven Salazar trains the 5-year-old for owner Renato Contreras.

Bred by Steve Tate, in Louisiana from the Special Project mare Pick Your Passion, Tf Corona N Passion completed the 870 yards in :46.914 seconds. The $9,000 winner's purse rolled his career mark to $46,346.

Downtown Forrest, under jockey Josh Dearmon, raced well early but was no match late for the winner. Carl Crawford saddled the Beau Brummel Sa gelding for owner Walter Alford. John Hamlin and Chad Soileau bred the 6-year-old from the Special Effort mare Cece Chicado Classic. He earned $3,000 to bring his career mark to $115,423.

Streak Of Music races for owner Jerry Lee Oquain and trainer Ron Judice. Ridden by jockey Orlando Baldillez, the Miracle Streak 4-year-old picked up $1,650 for his effort. Leonard Haven bred Streak Of Music from the I'ma Hell Raiser (TB) mare Wire Me Music (TB).

Completing the field were Wakeup N Dash, Fast Dashin Man and Doctor Agouti. Heavy post-time favorite Eyesa Shoofly Dandy stumbled at the start and lost his rider jockey Dennis Means.


Courtesy Ses