Sunbean Scores in Star Guitar

Brittlyn Stable’s Sunbean proved worthy of the fans who backed him down to 3 to 10 favoritism by drawing off late to a less than fully extended 2 ¾-length victory in Saturday’s $60,000 Star Guitar Stakes for older accredited Louisiana-breds at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.

The winner shadowed the two early leaders, challenged outside those in upper stretch, took clear command at the furlong marker and then increased the margin with intermittent urging, returning $2.60, $2.10 and $2.10 to his many backers.

“All I got to do (with this horse) is keep him clear,” said Sunbean’s regular rider Richard Eramia, who won the $150,000 Louisiana Champions Day Classic with Sunbean earlier this season on Louisiana Champions Day here on Dec. 14.

Glen Warren’s Hud’s Rebellion, victor in the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Turf on that same afternoon, rallied late to be clearly best of the others, finishing 2 ¼ lengths to the good of Klaravich Stable and William Lawrence’s Populist Politics, who lacked the needed late response.

Hud’s Rebellion paid $3.20 and $2.20 and Populist Politics returned $2.20 to show.

Norman Stables’ Hero Force made the pace with splits of :25.10 and :49.66, but weakened to fourth from the effort.

Diamond Racing et al.’s Johnny Handsome and Pat Jackson’s Easy Strike completed the order of finish.

Sunbean increased his career earnings to $534,900 with his eighth victory from 13 lifetime starts.

“He’s just a real nice horse to train,” said winning trainer Ron Faucheux.  “As long as Mrs. Benoit keeps sending me these good horses that she breeds it makes my job easy.”