Hot Dam Bam A Lam Best In Esplanade Stakes at Fair Grounds

Hot Dam Bam A Lam, under jockey John Hamilton, winning the $35,000 Esplanade Stakes at Fair Grounds Racecourse in New Orleans.

© Hodges Photography

Conditioned by trainer Trey Ellis, Hot Dam Bam A Lam covered the 450 yards in :17.996 seconds, equaling a 90-speed index into a 10 mph crosswind. It was the fifth career win for the black gelding in 15 starts and the $15,000 winners' purse boosted his earnings total to $138,363.

A homebred for owner-breeder Gene Cox, Hot Dam Bab A Lam is by Grade 1 stakes sire Captain Courage from the Hot Colours mare Hot Nova. He was bred in Oklahoma.

Rip Tide, racing for the Rip Tide Partnership, earned $5,000 for second. Lanny Keith trains the stakes winning son of Corona Cartel out of Little Surfer by First Down Dash. Ridden by jockey Everardo Rodriguez, Rip Tide has compiled a (20) 6-5-5 record and earned $123,284. He entered the Esplanade off a win in the Par-A-Dice Stakes at Delta in June.

Blaine Beene's multiple stakes winner Fast N Famous Eagle was a head back in the blanket finish to pick up $2,750 for third. Doug Weeks saddled the One Famous Eagle 6-year-old out of One Fast Kisser by Heza Fast Man. Rolando Del Rio Pina had the riding call aboard the $120,327 earner. Oscar Lozano bred the bay gelding in Texas.

Lrh Mojo Rising was fourth. Stone Cold Leader was scratched.