Mandaloun edges Midnight Bourbon in the Louisiana

Odds-on favorite Mandaloun and Florent Geroux reeled in a loose-on-the-lead Midnight Bourbon in mid-stretch to win the Grade 3, $150,000 Louisiana Stakes at Fair Grounds on Saturday.

Mandaloun completed 1 1/16-miles on a fast track in 1:42.52 after Midnight Bourbon ushered the field through moderate fractions of 24.39, 48.25 and 1:12.23 for six furlongs. Mandaloun returned $3.80.

This was the sixth time in the past 53 weeks Mandaloun and Midnight Bourbon have squared-off. Mandaloun has gotten the better of his rival in four of those six matchups with last being in the Haskell (G1) last July. 

Mandaloun's stablemate Warrant for trainer Brad Cox checked in a well-beaten third with long shot Spa City rounding out the superfecta. 

Mandaloun and Midnight Bourbon were both making their 4-year-old debuts as a potential prep for next month's $20 million Saudi Cup. 

This story will be updated.