Net a Bear streaks into Magnolia

Net a Bear will have the services of red-hot rider Timothy Thornton on Friday when she seeks to win her third consecutive stakes race in the $100,000 Magnolia at Delta Downs in Vinton, La.

The seven-furlong race for fillies and mares bred in Louisiana, which will be run around two turns, was canceled Oct. 15 due to track lighting issues. Friday’s rescheduled race will be held on a special afternoon card that has a first post of 12:55 p.m. Central. Thornton won with seven of his nine mounts on last Saturday’s card at Delta. Track announcer Don Stevens said the feat is believed to be a track record for the Boyd Gaming-era of ownership of Delta, which started in 2001.

Thornton has been aboard Net a Bear during her current win streak. He guided her to a 1 3/4-length victory over open company in the $60,000 Opelousas on July 2 at Evangeline Downs in Opelousas. One start later, Net a Bear captured the $50,000 Louisiana Cup Distaff on Aug. 21 at Louisiana Downs near Shreveport.

“She’s a nice mare,” trainer Allen Landry said.

Net a Bear’s recent stakes wins have come on turf, and she will be moving back to dirt Friday.

“A lot of grass horses seem to run good at Delta for some reason or another,” Landry said. “I’ve noticed that Shreveport horses come in and win races off the turf there. I think she’ll do good. She’s doing great.”

Landry also noted Net a Bear is a past winner at Delta.

“She did win last year,” he said. “She was competitive.”

Net a Bear, who is a closer, will break from the rail in the field of six Friday. She will be cutting back some in distance, off the 1 1/16-mile start at Louisiana Downs.

“Shortening up won’t hurt us any,” Landry said. “We’ll just move a little sooner.”

Net a Bear, who has won five stakes, is a daughter of Awesome Bet who races for Maximo Lamarche and Federico Deltoro.

The chief threats to Net a Bear could be fellow stakes winners Snowball and Quikfast N Ahurry.

Snowball is stretching out following a third-place finish in the Louisiana Cup Filly and Mare Sprint on Aug. 21 at Louisiana Downs. Her last win came at two turns, in the Evangeline Downs Distaff in May. Diego Saenz has the mount from post 2 for Tin Roof Farms and trainer Sam Breaux.

Quikfast N Ahurry is back at Delta, where last meet she won the Louisiana Premier Distaff over both Snowball and Net a Bear. Gerard Melancon was aboard and has the mount again for Whispering Oaks Farm and trainer Steve Flint.