Sister Blues wins duel for first stakes victory

Sister Blues became Pioneerof the Nile’s most recent stakes winner on Saturday as she battled to a one-length victory in the $50,000 Opelousas S. on the Louisiana Downs turf course.

In a field of eight fillies and mares, Sister Blues held second while she let longshot Brooke’s a Bookin set the pace for the first six furlongs. The early leader had no answer as Sister Blues ranged up and past her, then held off Emerald Pond safe in the deep stretch. The final time for the mile on the firm turf was 1:35.93 (VIDEO).

Five-year-old Sister Blues has finished in the top three in 16 of 22 lifetime starts and upped her earnings to $213,547 for owner/breeder Lucky Seven Stable and trainer Brad Cox.

Pioneerof the Nile’s stakes winners in 2017 include Arkansas Derby (G1) winner and Preakness S. (G1) runner-up Classic Empire and San Pasqual S. (G2) champ Midnight Storm.