Happy Ticket Tries New Rider

Happy Ticket, a narrow loser in her last two starts, will have a new rider, apprentice Julien Leparoux, when she takes on the streaking Oonagh Maccool and four others in the $300,000 Fleur De Lis Handicap today at Churchill Downs.

A Grade II at 1 1/8 miles, the Fleur De Lis is one of six graded stakes on the program there, highlighted by the $750,000 Stephen Foster Handicap.

Happy Ticket, a 5-year-old Anet mare, was second, losing by a neck, to Round Pond in the Azeri Breeders’ Cup on March 11 at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Ark., then lost by the same margin to winning Spun Sugar in the Apple Blossom Handicap less than a month later.

Oonagh Maccool, a 4-year-old daughter of Giant’s Causeway, has won three in a row since trying dirt.

Race of the day: Take D’Tour, who has won three straight, will look for her second stakes win at Belmont Park in the $300,000 Ogden Phipps Handicap today. The 5-year-old Tour d’Or mare will be ridden by Cornelio Velasquez. Her opponents in the Grade I at 1 1/16 miles include Apple Blossom winner Spun Sugar, Bending Strings, In The Gold, Nothing But Fun, Grecian Lover and Balletto.

One for the road: Curse Reversed tries turf and blinkers for Jimmy Jerkens and can spring a mild upset in the fifth at Belmont. Javier Castellano will ride the 3-year-old Grand Slam colt in the $43,000 maiden affair at six furlongs.

Exotically speaking: An early pick four using Maxxi Arte, Badoutoo and Ski Seattle in the first; Danthebluegrassman and Six Numbers in the second; Gold Maker in the third; and Point Determined, A.P. Warrior and Arson Squad in the fourth.

Winners (through Thursday): (previous day/meet total): 2/99. Money: (previous day/meet total): $10.20/$626.20. Total money bet: $678.