Sunbean stalks to 11th stakes victory in Delta Mile

Sunbean notched the 11th stakes win of his career Saturday, when he powered to a five-length win in the $250,000 Delta Downs Mile. Agent Di Nozzo finished second, while it was another 1 1/2 lengths back in third to Grand Contender.

The Delta Mile was one of eight stakes on a $2.3 million card at Delta. The program was highlighted by the Grade 3, $1 million Delta Downs Jackpot won by Ocho Ocho Ocho ($7.20), while Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies winner Take Charge Brandi ($6.40) took the Grade 3, $400,000 Delta Downs Princess.

Sunbean ($3.80) tracked the pace in third in the Delta Mile, as Decisive Moment took the field through fractions of 23.18 seconds for the opening quarter, 48.29 for the half-mile and 1:13.28 for six furlongs. Sunbean surged to the lead soon afterward and increased his advantage through the stretch while covering the distance on a track rated fast in 1:38.25.

Richard Eramia rode Sunbean for Brittlyn Stable and trainer Ron Faucheux.

Sunbean improved his Delta record to 4 for 4 with the win Saturday. He came into the Delta Mile off a 4 3/4-length win in the $100,000 Gold Cup for Louisiana-breds, also at Delta. Overall, the horse has won 12 of 19 starts and $910,150.

“It’s just a pleasure to train a horse like this,” said Faucheux. “He does everything right.”

Faucheux said next-race plans are to be determined for Sunbean. The horse is eligible for the $150,000 Louisiana Champions Day Classic at Fair Grounds on Dec. 13, a race he won in 2013.

Sunbean is a 4-year-old by Brahms, and he was bred by Brittlyn.

Yahilwa takes Treasure Chest

Yahilwa rallied for a 2 1/4-length win over Kiss to Remember in the $200,000 Treasure Chest to give her owner, DP Racing, her trainer, Jim Cassidy, and her rider, Mike Smith, their first of two stakes victories on the card. The connections also won the Jackpot with Ocho Ocho Ocho.

Yahilwa ($4.20) raced in fifth behind the pacesetters All Woman and Kiss to Remember, who set fractions of 22.3 for the opening quarter and 46.49 for the half-mile. Yahilwa moved to the fore through six furlongs in 1:12.12 and proceeded to win the one-mile race for fillies and mares in 1:38.96.

The Treasure Chest was the first stakes win for Yahilwa, a 4-year-old daughter of Medaglia d’Oro bred in Kentucky by Avalon Farms.

Double for Flint, Melancon

Trainer Steve Flint and jockey Gerard Melancon teamed up for a stakes double with D’cajun Cat ($24.80 in the $75,000 Sam’s Town and Four Leaf Chief ($5.80) in the $150,000 Louisiana Legacy. Both horses race for Whispering Oaks Farm.

D’cajun Cat was prominent throughout in the Sam’s Town for 3-year-olds, while Four Leaf Chief closed for a 4 1/2-length win in the Legacy. The latter was a mile race for 2-year-olds bred in Louisiana. Four Leaf Chief is a son of Lookin At Lucky.

** Wind Chill Factor ($4.60) rolled home by 5 3/4 lengths over Casual Class in the $150,000 Louisiana Jewel. Willie Martinez was aboard the winner for trainer Gary Scherer, who also co-owns the horse with Al and Bill Ulwelling. The race was for 2-year-old fillies bred in Louisiana.

** Honeycomb Allie ($12) rallied for a 2 1/2-length win over the 4-5 favorite Bridaria in the $75,000 Orleans for 3-year-old fillies. Colby Hernandez rode the winner for Dream Maker Racing and trainer Al Stall Jr.