By J.N. Campbell
Named a 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard,' after a sparkling second-out performance during the summer of Amoss at the Spa Sept. 1 when the colt scored by 5 3/4 lengths, Oscar's Hope (Twirling Candy) rolled into Delta Downs on low-takeout day for the Jean Lafitte Stakes Wednesday.
The 2-year-old was bet down to 30 cents on the dollar here after finishing as the runner-up to fellow 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard', Outfielder (Speightstown) in an allowance race at Keeneland Oct. 4 and as a last-out winner facing optional claimers at Churchill Downs Nov. 1.
The chalk took the lead from the inside as the field followed him into the first turn. Under control and continuing to carve out the fractions on the engine, the juvenile held the advantage up the backstretch and through the far turn. The favorite was asked for more down the lane and responded in-kind to net his first stakes trophy for the cargo hold. Randemonium (Cloud Computing) was the runner-up.
The first foal for his dam, Oscar's Hope has a half-brother named Major Ray (Nyquist), who was purchased for $725,000 by B-4 Farms at the 2025 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Yearling sale. The 'Rising Star' also has a weanling half-sister by Curlin. Hopeful Princess visited Twirling Candy for next spring.
Of note, under the winner's third dam we find GSW Street Magician (Street Cry {Ire}), and Oscar's Hope is bred on a similar cross to Twirling Candy's Grade I winners Pinehurst, Fionn and Rombauer.
JEAN LAFITTE S., $100,000, Delta Downs, 11-26, 2yo, 7 1/2f, 1:32.83, ft.
1–OSCAR'S HOPE, 120, c, 2, by Twirling Candy
1st Dam: Hopeful Princess (GSP), by Not This Time
2nd Dam: More Than Magic, by More Than Ready
3rd Dam: Magical Meadow, by Meadowlake
($150,000 Ylg '24 KEESEP). 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard'. O-Michael McLoughlin; B-Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC (KY); T-Thomas M. Amoss; J-Vicente Del-Cid. $60,000. Lifetime Record: 5-3-2-0, $231,684.
2–Randemonium, 122, c, 2, Cloud Computing–Galileos Ballerina, by Magician (Ire). ($20,000 Ylg '24 TTAYRL). O-Rand Metoyer; B-J. E. Jumonville Jr. & Bunny Jumonville (LA); T-Benard Chatters. $20,000.
3–Wayne's Law, 122, c, 2, Tiz the Law–Mollie Merisa, by Harlan's Holiday. ($22,000 RNA Ylg '24 OBSWIN; $25,000 2yo '25 OBSAPR). O-Baalbek Corp.; B-Margaret McFarland (FL); T-Amador Merei Sanchez. $10,000.
Margins: 2 3/4, 1 1/4, 2HF. Odds: 0.30, 26.70, 5.20.
Also Ran: Way Beyond, Casa Cielo, Duke de Vere, Missing Brian.
Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
#2 OSCAR'S HOPE ($2.60) was much the best going gate-to-wire to win the $100,000 Jean Lafitte Stakes at Delta Downs. The son of Twirling Candy (@LanesEndFarms) was ridden by Vincente Del-Cid and is trained by @TomAmossRacing. pic.twitter.com/uPXqEihmE9
— FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) November 26, 2025
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