NEW ORLEANS (Thursday, March 01, 2012) – Maggi Moss’s Little Polka Dot, always among the leaders, engaged Daniel Family Farms’ Skipping Town throughout the final furlong of Thursday’s $45,000 allowance and $40,000 optional claiming feature – restricted to accredited Louisiana-bred fillies and mares over the Stall-Wilson turf course – and drew off in the late stages for a length and half tally.

Ridden by defending Fair Grounds riding champion and current leading rider Rosie Napravnik, who was scoring her fourth win of the afternoon, Little Polka Dot returned mutuels of $5, $2.80 and $2.40, accomplished the about one mile distance over firm grass going in 1:39.64 and increased her career earnings to $360,763 with her eighth lifetime win in 22 starts.

Trained by Tom Amoss, Little Polka Dot returned to the winner’s circle going two turns after finishing second in her last four previous starts – all in sprints and all on the main track.

Skipping Town, allowed to settle early, took command briefly in mid-stretch, could not withstand the winner late but was easily second best, paying $3.40 and $3 while finishing 5 3/4-lengths to the good of Charles Zachney and Edward Johnston’s Ladyzarbridge, who returned $5.40 after alternating for the lead with splits of 24.86 and 48.60.

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