DRAGON DREW BREATHES FIRE ON BLACK GOLD OVERNIGHT STAKES FIELD

By Ryan Martin —-

3/3/2018. – Dragon Drew with James Graham aboard wins the Black Gold Overnight Stakes at Fair Grounds. Hodges Photography / Lou Hodges, Jr.

NEW ORLEANS (March 3, 2018) – Dragon Drew lit up the tote board at odds of 21-1 when taking the $50,000 Black Gold Overnight Stakes over the Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots’ Stall-Wilson Turf Course.

Guided by jockey James Graham, the 3-year-old son of Get Stormy was third in the early stages of the race while pacesetter Major Brown laid down an easy opening quarter of 23.69. With half of the journey covered, G’s Turn took command off the field and led the half in 47.87. Dragon Drew asserted himself to the front at the top of the stretch and never looked back as he opened up on the field to win the Black Gold Overnight Stakes by four lengths in a time of 1:37.55. G’s Turn held on for the place spot.

Third-place finisher Fascilitator was eventually disqualified and placed seventh due to interference in the stretch run, which elevated Major Brown in the order of finish to complete the trifecta.

Dragon Drew’s victory in the Black Gold Overnight Stakes gave trainer William “Buff” Bradley his second stakes win of the 2017-18 Winter Meet. Two weeks ago, he won the Gr. III Mineshaft Handicap with The Player.

“He’s been coming around the whole time,” Bradley said. “We felt like he’s been doing really well and moving forward. We finally got what we wanted. I think this time he’s just getting better now that he knows what he’s doing.”

Owned by the trainer in partnership with R. Meyer, V Stamp and Schnurr Family Revocable Trust, Dragon Drew earned $29,760 from the Black Gold Overnight Stakes, which increased his career earnings to $54,840. He rewarded his backers in $2 payouts of $45.20, $21.00 and $9.20. G’s Turn returned $18.80 while Major Brown returned $23.00 to show, rounding out a trifecta of longshots that paid $7,246.10 for one dollar.

Tap Daddy, Zeke, Golden Dragon, Fascilitator (seventh via disqualification), Cash Reward and Fort Wise Treaty completed the order of finish.

3/3/2018. – Trust Factor with jockey Corey Lanerie aboard gets him nose in front of Extra Credit to win the 38th running of the Dixie Poker Ace Stakes at Fair Grounds. Hodges Photography / Lou Hodges, Jr.

Earlier on the day, Scrivener Stables’ Trust Factor ($6.00, $3.20, $2.40) held off a late charge from Extra Credit in the $60,000 Dixie Poker Ace Stakes, a one mile event on the Stall-Wilson Turf Course restricted to Louisiana-breds.

The son of Paddy O’Prado sat just a length off of a slow pace set by Morning Mischief who was making his turf debut and set opening fractions of 24.57, 49.40 and 1:14.09 while Zarb’s Gift kept close company and sat a half-length off of the pacesetter. At the top of the stretch, Morning Mischief gave way to Zarb’s Gift who took the lead before being passed up by Trust Factor The eventual winner was confronted by the favorite Extra Credit in the final furlong of the event but had just enough to hang on by a nose and stopped the clock in a time of 1:37.93 with jockey Corey Lanerie in the irons. Front runner Morning Mischief ($5.20) completed the trifecta.

Trained by Mike Maker, Trust Factor scored his seventh victory in 15 career starts and earned $36,000 from a win in the Dixie Poker Ace, which increased his bankroll to $284,000. It was the second stakes victory for Trust Factor, who won the Louisiana Legends Turf Stakes at Louisiana Downs last July.

Rounding out the field were Gentlemen’s Agreement, Grande Basin, Mageez, Berniestrike and last year’s Dixie Poker Ace winner Let Us Be Glad.

Photos Courtesy of Hodges Photography