(Grand Prairie, Texas - Saturday, October 1, 2011) - Louisiana Senator, owned by Terry Wootan and Joe Yates, and trained by Heath Reed, won the 15th running of the Grade 1, $100,000 Refrigerator Handicap over a fast track Saturday night at Lone Star Park.

Ridden by G.R. Carter, Jr., the five-year-old bay son of Jess Louisiana Blue, out of the Corona Cartel mare Corona Perfection, was quick from the gate and drew away powerfully to record a decisive victory. The time for the 440-yard distance was :21.119, earning a speed index of 104. It was two and a half lengths back to Mr Truly Uno in second and another neck back to third-place finisher Six Toast.

“He stood in the gate really well, and when they kicked it he just took off,” said winning rider G.R. Carter, Jr. “He drew away and finished strong all on his own. This was a really gratifying victory to qualify for the Champion of Champions.”

With the win, Louisiana Senator improved his record to seven wins from 18 starts, and with the $63,000 winner’s share of the purse, increased his earnings to $440,908. The victory also gives Louisiana Senator an automatic berth to the Grade 1, $750,000 Champion of Champions at Los Alamitos Saturday, December 10, 2011 in Los Alamitos, California.

Louisiana Senator paid $2.60, $2.20, $2.20, runner-up Mr Truly Uno returned $2.60, $2.80, and Six Toast paid $4.00 for show. Nocona Mafia, Jess Navigating and Mr Vikenson completed the order of finish.

Ebw Obsession Commanding Winner in Merial Distaff Challenge

Ernie & Brenda Wood’s Ebw Obsession powered her way to victory in the second running of the $42,963 Merial Distaff Challenge Saturday night at Lone Star Park. Besting 10 rivals, the four-year-old daughter of Brimmerton, ridden by Ricky Ramirez and trained by Trey Woods, stopped the clock in :19.472 to earn a speed index of 99.

The $19,665 winner’s share of the purse increased Ebw Obsession’s lifetime earnings to $78,355 and her race record to three wins, one second and two thirds from 11 starts.

Ebw Obsession paid $5.60, $4.40, $3.20, runner-up Bertha Venation returned $7.00, $5.00, and Jakes Charming Jody paid $4.20 for show. Party in Power, Awe Contraire, Zoomin On Bye, Full Moon Dasher, Lil Lady Warrior, Sensational Dash, Features Lucky Charm and Feature Miss Utah completed the order of finish.

Additional Notes

Jockey Ricky Ramirez won five races on Saturday night’s nine-race program, including the final four races … Trey Wood trained the winner of the final three races.