Net a Bear tries to repeat in Opelousas

Net a Bear will be racing against open company for the first time in a year Friday night, when she defends her title in the $60,000 Opelousas Stakes at her base of Evangeline Downs.

The one-mile turf race for fillies and mares drew a field of eight that includes Quinn Ella, who will get good support off a thirdplace finish in the $200,000 Ouija Board Distaff May 30 at Lone Star Park, and Just Passing Through, who is coming off back-toback allowance wins over open company at Louisiana Downs.

Net a Bear won the $75,000 Louisiana Legends Turf Distaff in her most recent start June 4. It was her seventh win in her last 10 starts dating back to last year’s Opelousas. Net a Bear’s win in the Louisiana Legends was her third stakes victory of 2022. She closed from next to last for 1 1/4-length win and earned one of her best Beyer Speed Figures, an 80.

“That mare just keeps amazing me,” said Allen Landry, who has trained the 6-year-old throughout her career. “She’s a good one. That’s the reason why she’s been the champion.”

Net a Bear is the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association’s reigning champion older female.

In last year’s Opelousas, she rallied for a 1 3/4-length win, earning a career-high Beyer of 82. She is 2 for 3 on the turf course at Evangeline.

“I’m hoping the rain holds off where we can run on the grass,” Landry said. “She runs on the dirt. She’s a little bit better on the grass.”

Timothy Thornton has the mount from post 5.

“I believe we have a little speed in the race,” Landry said. “I think the race might set up for her. She has to have pace. If the pace is too slow, we might be in a little trouble.”

Net a Bear is a daughter of Awesome Bet, who races for Maximo Lamarche and Federico Deltoro. She boasts a career record of 12 wins from 34 starts for earnings of $615,970.

Net a Bear figures to vie for favoritism with Quinn Ella. The latter rallied for third in the Ouija Board, which was won by Southern California shipper Park Avenue. The one-mile turf race was part of Lone Star Million Day.

Quinn Ella is returning to an Evangeline turf course over which she is 1 for 1. Joel Dominguez has the mount from post 2 for L and G Racing Stables and trainer Eduardo Ramirez.

Valentines Day is another who has won over the course at Evangeline. During her campaign last year, she ran second or third in four stakes. Bret Calhoun trains Valentines Day for Love Partnership Interests.