The First Lady of Louisiana Sharon Landry Stakes is set to take place on Friday, April 11, 2025, at Evangeline Downs in Opelousas, Louisiana. This one-mile turf race for fillies and mares aged four years and older offers a purse of $60,000 and promises an exciting showdown among Louisiana-bred competitors.
Horses and Pedigrees
Highly Wicked:
Sire: Wicked Strong
Dam: Highly Confused
Breeder: Earl Hernandez, Keith Hernandez & John Duvieilh
Owner: Earl Hernandez, Keith Hernandez & John Duvieilh
Pedigree Notes: Wicked Strong contributes stamina and versatility, while Highly Confused adds depth to the pedigree.
Wonderrand:
Sire: Cloud Computing
Dam: Laughing Saint
Breeder: J.E. Jumonville Jr. & Bunny Jumonville
Owner: Rand S. Metoyer
Pedigree Notes: Cloud Computing, a Preakness Stakes winner, brings class and speed, while Laughing Saint adds durability.
Nodah:
Sire: Mor Spirit
Dam: Forest Path
Breeder: J. Adcock & Nathan C. Granger
Owner: Keithon Roberts
Pedigree Notes: Mor Spirit contributes precocity and brilliance, while Forest Path adds stamina.
Miss Priority:
Sire: Apriority
Dam: Miss Dealbreaker
Breeder: Pam Stephenson
Owner: Salli Foushee
Pedigree Notes: Apriority is known for producing sprinters, while Miss Dealbreaker adds toughness.
Box of Pictures:
Sire: Star Guitar
Dam: Persuading
Breeder: Brittlyn, Inc.
Owner: Brittlyn Stable Inc. (Evelyn Benoit)
Pedigree Notes: Star Guitar is a Louisiana legend, contributing versatility and consistency, while Persuading adds class.
Ground Control:
Sire: Mshawish
Dam: Cayman Kai
Breeder: Love Partnership Interests, L.P.
Owner: Love Partnership Interests LP (Kenneth Love, Allison Love & Wyatt Love)
Pedigree Notes: Mshawish brings international turf success, while Cayman Kai adds speed.
Tommie G:
Sire: Court Vision
Dam: Adrianne G
Breeder: Thomas M. Galvin
Owner: Thomas Galvin
Pedigree Notes: Court Vision, a Breeders’ Cup Mile winner, contributes turf prowess, while Adrianne G adds stamina.
Jockeys
Marcelino Pedroza Jr. (Highly Wicked): Pedroza is a skilled rider known for his ability to position horses effectively in turf races.
Jose Luis Rodriguez (Wonderrand): Rodriguez brings experience and precision to the saddle, making him a reliable partner for Wonderrand.
Edward Santiago (Nodah): Santiago is a rising talent with a knack for timing his moves perfectly.
Casey Fusilier (Miss Priority): Fusilier is a consistent performer with a strong record at Evangeline Downs.
Jose Andres Guerrero (Box of Pictures): Guerrero is known for his aggressive riding style and ability to secure strong finishes.
Vicente Del-Cid (Ground Control): Del-Cid is a versatile jockey with experience in both dirt and turf races.
Timothy Thornton (Tommie G): Thornton is a seasoned rider with numerous stakes victories to his name.
Trainers
Sam B. David Jr. (Highly Wicked): David is a respected trainer with a focus on developing Louisiana-bred talent.
Benard Chatters (Wonderrand & Nodah): Chatters has a strong record with fillies and mares, making him a key player in this race.
Paul Duhon (Miss Priority): Duhon is known for his patient approach and success with sprinters.
Shane Wilson (Box of Pictures): Wilson is a skilled trainer with a knack for conditioning turf runners.
W. Bret Calhoun (Ground Control): Calhoun is a leading trainer with multiple stakes wins across the country.
Patricia G. West (Tommie G): West specializes in turf racing and has a strong record with Louisiana-breds.
Race Analysis
The First Lady of Louisiana Sharon Landry Stakes promises to be a competitive affair, with a mix of proven performers and emerging talents. Box of Pictures, the morning-line favorite, will look to leverage her pedigree and experience to secure a victory. Ground Control and Tommie G bring strong turf pedigrees and consistent form, while Highly Wicked and Wonderrand could surprise with their versatility.
The pace is expected to be moderate, with horses like Miss Priority and Nodah likely to press forward early. The stretch run could see closers like Box of Pictures and Ground Control making their moves late.
