Gantry Nips Cash Refund in Gaudin

Brittlyn Stable’s Gantry, winner of Fair Grounds’ $75,000 Thanksgiving Handicap by a nose on Opening Day Nov. 24, came back to win Saturday’s $75,000 F. W. Gaudin Memorial Stakes with that same margin by getting up in the last jump to foil the bid of Richard, Bertram and Elaine Klein’s Cash Refund, who won this race two years ago but also finished second by a nose to Gantry on Thanksgiving Day.

Trained by Ron Faucheux and ridden by Richard Eramia, Gantry increased his career earnings to $194,850 with his fifth victory in 10 lifetime starts, accomplished the six-furlong distance in 1:09.56 and returned mutuels of $6.40, $3.20 and $2.20.

“This horse has got a big heart and he really tries hard,” said Eramia in winner’s circle ceremonies following the race.

Cash Refund, who pressed the pace of Whispering Oaks Farm’s Joe Hollywood, gained the advantage in upper stretch, could not withstand the winner but was easily second best, finishing 5 1/4-lengths to the good of that rival, who recorded early splits of  21.61 and 44.59.

Cash Refund returned $3.20 and $2.20 and Joe Hollywood paid $2.20 to show.