News - Racing March  28, 2024

Lightemupwithcharm Slight Surprise In $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day QH Classic


Lightemupwithcharm (#2), with Luis Vivanco aboard, streaks to the finish in the 30th running of the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day QH Classic (RG2) at Fair Grounds Race Course Saturday.

© Hodges Photography / Amanda Hodges Weir

NEW ORLEANS, LA—DECEMBER 14, 2019—At 19-1 odds, Lightemupwithcharm put in a game effort under jockey Luis Vivanco to get his head in front of post-time favorite Dlj Imma B Famous in the $100,000 restricted Grade 2 Louisiana Champions Day QH Classic at Fair Grounds Race Course Saturday.

The multiple graded stakes winning son of Sizzlin Cartel completed the 440 yards in :21.761 seconds, equaling a 97-speed index into a 4 mph crosswind. The $45,000 winners' purse boosted his career mark to nearly $280,000.

Miguel Rodriguez trains the 5-year-old gelding for owner Saul Dorado. Jumonville Farms bred Lightemupwithcharm from the Feature Mr Jess mare Grace Filled Charm. The gelding has compiled a (25) 7-3-4 record with wins that include the Vals Fortune Stakes(RG2), and Louisiana Classic (RG2).

"He was the runner up in this race last year," trainer Rodriguez said following the win. "In his last start (at Evangeline Downs), he was 60% ready, but needed the race. Today he broke perfectly and ran a great race," he added.

Starting off a second-place effort in the Opelousas Stakes November 9, runner-up Dlj Imma B Famous won the Mid-City Stakes(G3) at Fair Grounds Race Course in his previous start, September 7.

Alberto Solis trains the son of multiple stakes winner Coronas Leaving You fro owner Myron McKinnon. Donald Henderson bred the 6-year-old from the Strawflyin Buds mare Yugo Buds. He earned $17,000 for the effort to bring his earnings mark to $151,525.

A neck back in the blanket-finish was A Nother Zoobilee, racing for owners Orozco Orlando and Rogelio Leyva. Orozco also trains the 4-year-old Dashin Bye gelding out of Our Precious Secret by Streakin La Jolla. Charles Lyles bred the $97,970 earner.

No Politics Here, My Favorite Blue, Dashing Forthe Money, Fabulously Black, Razzatoni, Shesa Diamond Diva, Chloes Got Game and Force Of Anakin completed the field.

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Additional "Champions Day" reporting by Martha Claussen.


Courtesy Ses