NEW ORLEANS (Wednesday, January 25, 2012) – Dwight Sprague’s Cactus Son, placed just behind the early leaders, rallied outside those after the furlong grounds and drew off for a two-length victory in Wednesday’s grass dash feature at Fair Grounds.

The $51,000 allowance optional $40,000 claiming event for older horses was contested at about 5 1/2-furlongs over a Stall-Wilson turf course rated “good” to headline the last Wednesday racing program of New Orleans’ 2011-2012 Thoroughbred season.

Trained by Mike Burgess and ridden by Shane Sellers, Cactus Son returned mutuels of $12.80, $5.80 and $5, accomplished the distance in 1:03.74 and increased his earnings to $123,296 with his fifth career victory in 23 lifetime starts.

Louie Roussel III’s Santa, who alternated for the lead with Dan Lynch, Ken Sentel and Merrill Scherer’s Santo Gato, gained the place by a length over that rival at the wire after the duo set early fractions of 22.46 and 45.95.

Santa paid $6 and $3.80 and Santo Gato returned $3.80 to show.

Racing resumes Thursday at Fair Grounds with a 10-race program beginning at 12:40 p.m.