Valentine Fever Wins Monday Feature

Lloyd Madison Farms IV’s Valentine Fever, allowed to settle behind the early leaders in Monday’s Fair Grounds $44,500 feature, threaded through those with a well-judged ride by jockey Francisco Torres to win the sprint for accredited Louisiana-bred fillies and mares at about five and a half furlongs over the Stall-Wilson turf course by a head.

Trained by Greg Foley, the 5-year-old mare toured the distance in the course rated firm in 1:04.77, returned mutuels of $22, $9.40 and $5.60 and increased her career earnings to $224,969 with her fifth career victory in 21 lifetime starts.

Richard, Bertram and Elaine Klein’s Knockout Bertie, who pressed the pace but was carried wide on the turn, recovered to be second best by a half-length but could not catch the winner. That Distorted Humor filly paid $4.20 and $3.40.

L. T. B. Inc. and Hillerich Racing’s More of the Best took the lead at the top of the stretch but weakened to finish third, returning $6.

Gainesway Stable’s Ocean Colors set the early fractions of 22.40 and 46.72 before tiring to fourth at the wire.

Racing resumes Friday at Fair Grounds with a 10-race program beginning at 1:10 p.m.