MARIAH’S GALAXY PUTS THEM AWAY IN THE $100,000 MAGNOLIA STAKES AT DELTA DOWNS

By Don Stevens —-

Mariah’s Galaxy; Coady Photography

THE VICTOR ARCENEAUX TRAINEE EARNS SECOND CAREER STAKES WIN –

VINTON, LA. – Delta Downs hosted the first stakes race of its new Thoroughbred season on Friday night as Riley Blanchet and Todd Matte’s Mariah’s Galaxy stormed home in front to take the $100,000 Magnolia Stakes for Louisiana-bred fillies and mares under jockey Kevin Smith.

Mariah’s Galaxy, who is trained by Victor Arceneaux, also won the Lookout Stakes at Delta Downs last year and now boasts and overall record of eight wins from 23 career starts. The $60,000 paycheck on Friday night raised her career bankroll to $242,485.

Fleet Halo took the early lead in Friday’s one-mile headliner and carved our fractional times 23.67 seconds for the opening quarter-mile, 4822 for the half and 1:13.08 for three quarters. But when she turned for home she was engulfed by Mariah’s Galaxy who had sat back in the field early before commencing a rally that put her in front at the top of the lane. Following Mariah’s Galaxy was race favorite Remember Daisey, who wound up four lengths behind the winner on the finish line. Special Blessing finished another 2-3/4 lengths behind the top pair in third.

The winner covered the distance in a time of 1:39.72 over a fast track.

Bred in Louisiana by Margie K. Averett, Mariah’s Galaxy is a 5-year-old mare by Greeley’s Galaxy, out of the Devil His Due mare Black Mariah.

Sent to the gate at odds of 15-1, Mariah’s Galaxy paid $32.60 to win, $9 to place and $4.40 to show. Remember Daisey returned $2.60 to place and $2.10 to show. Special Blessing was worth $3 to show.

Delta Downs will close out its opening week of racing on Saturday with another 10-race program that begins at 4:55 pm CST. Saturday’s featured race is the $100,000 Gold Cup for Louisiana-bred older horses competing at one mile.

For more information about racing at Delta Downs visit the track’s website at www.deltadownsracingcom. Fans can also get information about through Facebook by visiting the page ‘Delta Downs Racing’. The track’s Twitter handle is @deltaracing.

Delta Downs Racetrack Casino and Hotel, a property of Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE:BYD), features exciting casino action, live horse racing and fun dining experiences. Delta Downs is located in Vinton, Louisiana, on Delta Downs Drive. From Lake Charles, take Exit 7 and from Texas, take Exit 4.

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