Tiger Eyed and her foal. Photo: Courtesy Louisiana Downs

Owners are seldom at a loss for words but when Marvin and Joel Cunningham were informed that their 2-year-old homebred filly Tiger Eyed had given birth they were speechless.

The bizarre incident happened Aug. 20 on the backstretch at Harrah’s Louisiana Downs racetrack near Bossier City, La. At 5 a.m., trainer Patrick Mouton pulled up to Barn 33-C in his truck and was concerned at the large crowd assembled.

“I parked my truck and saw there was a lot of people down at the end of the shed row,�?Mouton said. “In this business, when you see something like that it usually means somebody got hurt.�?

What looked like by-standers around a car wreck was actually an assembly of astonished grooms, trainers, exercise riders and jockeys that had come to witness the wild story that was circulating. Tiger Eyed (a 2-year-old Louisiana-bred filly by Ide—Loveswept Cat, by Tactical Cat, that had just worked three furlongs in 36 2/5 earlier in the week) had a foal by her side.

“She was just in the early stages of beginning training and starting to breeze,�?Mouton explained. “I was completely flabbergasted.�?BR>
It is a story that definitely has more questions than answers. Mouton went on to describe the surprise and displeasure of the owners.

“Do the math,�?the veteran trainer said. “This had to happen in some pasture when she was only seven to eight months old. There must have been a colt in the mix somewhere or somebody jumped the fence.�?BR>
Tiger Eyed and her foal have been shipped to a local farm near Benton where a surrogate nurse mare will provide nourishment for the newborn.

“Obviously the track is not a good environment plus the mother is still a baby herself,�?Mouton said of the decision.

According to Mouton, plans for Tiger Eyed are to resume training at the racetrack in early September.