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Memorial Services for Benjamin ‘Benny’ Carroll Thibodeaux Scheduled Friday

benjamin-thibodeaux-delcambre-la-obituary_EvangelineFuneralHome
©Evangeline Funeral Home

Courtesy of Evangeline Funeral Home

It is with heavy hearts that the Thibodeaux family announce the passing of Benjamin Carroll “Benny” Thibodeaux, our beloved Pop. Benny passed away peacefully at his residence on Sunday, September 21, 2025. He was surrounded by his loving family in his final hours. He was 69.

Benny, as he was affectionately known, was born on January 27, 1956, in Erath to the late Carroll Joseph Thibodeaux and the late Betty Jane LeBlanc Thibodeaux and was raised in a family steeped in Catholic faith and Cajun heritage. From an early age, Benny was taught the value of hard work, a value that he carried with him throughout his life. In his younger years, he spent time taking advantage of all that mother nature had to offer as a hunter and fisherman.

He was raised in the town of Delcambre, where he attended school and graduated from Delcambre High School in 1974. As a student, Benny excelled in athletics, playing quarterback and earning the title of state champion pole vaulter in track and field for the Panthers. After high school, he briefly attended college but eventually chose to follow in his family’s footsteps by working at T&L Feedstore. Later, he opened his own business, 339 Feed & Farm Supply, where he served his loyal customers throughout the Acadiana area. He took great joy in interacting with his customers, offering a friendly chat whenever time permitted.

Benny’s passion for animals, especially horses, was evident throughout his life. He began his career in the horse racing world as a trainer, eventually moving on to owning, breeding, training, and racing his own horses. His commitment to the industry was further demonstrated through his membership in the Louisiana Breeders Association.

Though Benny was dedicated to his business and animals, he delighted in preparing meals for his loved ones and was known as the chef of the family. His sauce piquant and grilled specialties were some of the family favorites. Benny may not have always been one for social gatherings, but when there was an opportunity to cook for others, he relished the chance to share his talents—and often shared stories, sometimes repeating his favorites with a chuckle.

Benny was also a man of a quick wit and a prankster at heart. His humor and laughter were contagious. And let’s not forget his love for LSU football.

In quieter moments, Benny spent time taking rides in the country, watching westerns, or sitting in peaceful prayer, reciting the Holy Rosary, a devotion he held dear.

Though Benny’s passing leaves a void in our lives, we take comfort in the knowledge that he is not gone from us, only gone on before us. We look forward to the day when we will be reunited with him in Heaven. Until that precious day, Benny, may your soul and the souls of all the faithfully departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Those left to cherish his memory include his children, Courtney Thibodeaux Dore’ (Ron), Brooks Benjamin Thibodeaux (Ashley), and Brittlyn Denee’ Thibodeaux; his grandchildren, Jace Dore’, Elliana Dore’, Jonah Dore’, Amelie Dore’, Kennedi Thibodeaux, Kohynn Thibodeaux, and Ridge Thibodeaux; the loving mother of his children, Donna LeBlanc Thibodeaux; his siblings, Vickie Guidry (Rusty), Sandy Thibodeaux, Julie Boudreaux, Tracy Thibodeaux, and Spence Thibodeaux (Deidre); his loving companion, Kay Stoute; his stepchildren Donovan Stoute and Kasie Simon; his step-grandchildren, Draigen Stoute (Karlee), Anistyn Gary, Khoda Stoute, Kyndal Simon, and Emersyn Stoute; and his step-great-granddaughter, A’mylee Stoute; and a host of nieces, nephews, great nieces, and great nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brother, Tim Thibodeaux, and his brother-in-law, Bob Coleman.

A Mass of Christian Burial celebrating Benny’s life will be held on Friday, September 26, 2025, at 1:00 p.m., with Fr. Buddy Breaux as celebrant. Readers for the mass will be Kohynn Thibodeaux and Elliana Dore’, with his grandchildren being gift bearers. Following the Mass, Benny will be laid to rest in the church cemetery.

A gathering of family and friends will be held at Our Lady of the Lake Catholic Church on Friday from 11:00 a.m. until the time of the Mass, with the Men’s Rosary Group leading the Rosary at 12:00 noon.

Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Brooks Thibodeaux, Ron Dore’, Spence Thibodeaux, Rusty Guidry, Ridge Thibodeaux, Jace Dore’, Jonah Dore’, and Draigen Stoute. Honorary pallbearers are Harold “T-Boy” Renard, Sr. and Duke Landry.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center, Acadiana Home Care and Heart of Hospice, as well as Vincent Ruffins, for the care and compassion shown during this time. Your kindness will always be remembered.

Family and friends are invited to share their condolences and memories with the family by visiting Benny’s memorial at www.evangelinedelcambre.com.

Evangeline Funeral Home of New Iberia is in charge of arrangements.

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Speedhorse Stake recap

Four racetracks were buzzing with excitement today for Stakes Races! Take a glance at the winners now, and stay tuned for our full Stakes Results!


Century Mile
WINNER of the 2026 Old Timers Classic Stakes
FLIGHT CLUB (#3)
g. (Foose-Seperate Flight, Seperatist)
Breeder: Steve D Burns Dvm
Owner: Jerry Stojan
Trainer: William H. Leech
Jockey: Alexander Marti
Remaining Order of Finish: Miss Fancy Nancy (#1), Team Rip 109 (#2), Fired (#5), Flash Me a Corona (#4)


Sam Houston Race Park
WINNER of the 2026 Q-Racing Video Distance Challenge Stakes.-G3
FIRE BOLT B (#6)
g. (Bolt of Fire-She a Elektra B, Fdd Dynasty)
Breeder: Bielau Oaks (TX)
Owner: Sedillo, Tony E. and RC Racing, LLC
Trainer: Sedillo, Richard
Jockey: Duran, Nestor
Remaining Order of Finish: Gjr Rooster (#7), Dm Special Cat (#1), Music Dash (#4), Kvn Valiant Corona (#2), Big Lew Love (#8), Hezamonzter (#5), Daybreak N Dash (#3)


Sam Houston Race Park
WINNER of the 2026 John Buchanan Memorial Stakes
CHIEFTAINESS (#8)
f. (Chilitos-Chief Lark, Chief Corona)
Breeder: Rodriguez, Mario
Owner: Mario G. Rodriguez
Trainer: Rodriguez, Martin
Jockey: Giles, Francisco
Remaining Order of Finish: Mrs Pyc Painted Nova (#1), Go Zippalitas (#2), Karma Cha Ching (#9), Dm Chilianna (#6), This Eagles a Leader (#7), Chile Piquin (#4), Miss Nely (#5), I B a Big Girl (#3)


Delta Downs
WINNER of the 2026 Mother’s Day Stakes
SAN LORENZO LUNA (#6)
f. (Coronas Leaving You-Dashnunder Afullmoon, Heza Fast Dash)
Breeder: Rogelio Marquez Jr (LA)
Owner: Rogelio Marquez, Jr.
Trainer: Garcia, Juan
Jockey: Rodriguez, Leonardo
Remaining Order of Finish: Usxpress (#4), Jj Jessa Dynasty (#1), Rf Imperial Choice (#8), Pyc Paint Your Guns (#2), Runnning With Faith (#3), Carters Showgirl (#7)
Scratched Horses:
Jrs Jeeses Cartel


Sam Houston Race Park
WINNER of the 2026 Leon Bard Memorial Stakes
JESS CARTEL BLUE (#1)
g. (Jess Louisiana Blue-Cartel Leader, Corona Cartel)
Breeder: Pete A Scarmardo (TX)
Owner: Pete A. Scarmardo
Trainer: Stinebaugh, John
Jockey: Linares, Gilberto
Remaining Order of Finish: Feenom (#3), Sign of a Jet (#4), Ym Flyin (#8), Shot of Takillya (#2), Jet Outta Heere (#6), Prize Time Lelo (#5), First Cash Boy (#7)


Sam Houston Race Park
WINNER of the 2026 Adequan Derby Finals
THE VALIANT FLAME (#1)
f. (The Louisiana Cartel-Valiant Flame, Valiant Hero)
Breeder: Torres Buildings (TX)
Owner: Torres Buildings
Trainer: Stroud, Brian
Jockey: Herbert, Jose
Remaining Order of Finish: Corona Streakin Jess (#3), Fdd El Jefe (#4), Won Salty Corona (#2), Inflation (#5), Vp Dash for Texas (#7), Otts Moore (#9), The Evangelist (#10)
Scratched Horses:
Full Throttle N, The Texas Hammer


Sam Houston Race Park
WINNER of the 2026 John Deere Juvenile Final Stakes
TOP SHELVE (#4)
f. (Tarzanito-Tf Dashin Ms Perry, Sir Runaway Dash)
Breeder: Jude or Regina Robicheaux
Owner: David L. Martinez
Trainer: Villarreal, Ramiro
Jockey: Duran, Nestor
Remaining Order of Finish: Denhawken (#6), Jeg Fascination B (#3), Bigg Mistake (#1), Tell Fire (#8), Valiant Magic Mike (#7), Blazin On Monday (#9), Trumps Train (#5)
Scratched Horses:
Mr Mallard Hocks


Sam Houston Race Park
WINNER of the 2026 Texas Breeders Futurity
COWBOYS FLYING (#1)
g. (Flying Cowboy 123-Cartels Lady, Carters Cartel)
Breeder: Dr Tommy Hays
Owner: Double J Racing
Trainer: Villarreal, Ramiro
Jockey: Urieta, Jr., Victor
Remaining Order of Finish: Apollitical Cowboy (#7), Mister Carter (#5), Jc Canelo (#6), Coronas First Cowboy (#2), Reverzcowgirl (#4), Natural Flyin Cowboy (#10), Whoopie Cowgirl (#9), Divina Tres Seis (#8)
Scratched Horses:
Jp Tempting Jewel


Remington Park
WINNER of the 2026 Mister Lewie Memorial Stakes-G1
LIVEWIRES TURNPIKE (#10)
g. (Crm Livewire-Wagon On Turnpike, Pyc Paint Your Wagon)
Breeder: Pevehouse, Nolan
Owner: Bryan Hawk
Trainer: Whitekiller, Matt
Jockey: Calderon, Francisco
Remaining Order of Finish: Wire Tap (#7), Turbulent (#6), Over the Shock (#1), Valiant Anthem (#8), Storms Livewire (#4), Nota Pocahontas (#9), Gitter Dun Belle (#2)
Scratched Horses:
Wired Bb (unseated rider at break), Cowgirl Chaos


Sam Houston Race Park
WINNER of the 2026 Sam Houston Classic Stakes
KAS PRIETITO (#6)
g. (Kas Tempting-Marys Corazon, Azoom)
Breeder: Rancho J S
Owner: Soto, Fernando and Soto, Rolando
Trainer: Fuentes, Sergio
Jockey: Maldonado, Luis
Remaining Order of Finish: Ima Chili (#3), Paint Me Onis (#4), Tha Duke (#7), A Sweet Arthur (#2), Celena Olena (#8), Mystic Paint (#5), Onthrocks (#10), Full Boogie (#9), Lil Perry Wagon (#1)


09 Handin Out Candy-finish angle
©Dustin Orona Photography

OKLAHOMA CITY – Handin Out Candy does nothing but hand out wins to his owner Emilio Perez, of Arlington, Texas, when he races around the turn. He continued his magic Saturday at Remington Park, winning his seventh race in a row at 870 yards, winning the $51,360 Pauls Valley Stakes as the even-money favorite.

It was the first time jockey James Flores had been on the winner, taking over for regular rider Omar Iturralde, and Flores said he was just along for the ride.

“It was an easy trip,” the winning jock said. “He is such a professional and just does his thing every time. I can’t say I had much to do with it. He showed he can run.”

Handin Out Candy is not only fast, but he is a huge horse, weighing in at 1,332 pounds Saturday. In comparison, the fourth-place finisher and past distance champion at Remington Park, O Donovan Rossa, checked in at 1,051 pounds for the Pauls Valley Stakes.

This was the second stakes in a row that Handin Out Candy has swept at Remington Park, having won the Grade 2 Remington Park Distance Challenge on March 28 by 2-3/4 lengths. Iturralde rode him that night. His margin of victory Saturday was three-quarters of a length over a stellar field. Wynnchester (9-2) was the runner-up, another half-length ahead of third-place Cash Back Hero (8-1). 

Handin Out Candy, a 7-year-old Alabama-bred gelded son of Jess Good Candy, from the Dash Ta Fame mare Ole Auntie Em, began his winning streak July 31, 2025, at Retama Park near San Antonio, Texas, winning an allowance race, followed by wins in the Distance Challenge Stakes at the Downs at Albuquerque on Sept. 20 and the Grade 1 Distance Challenge Championship, also at Albuquerque. The streak continued on Dec. 14 in the King Rick Rack Stakes at Zia Park in New Mexico before hanging it up for the year. He has now won all three of his 2026 starts at Remington Park.

The winner earned $29,400 for his trip to the winner’s circle and improved his record to 39 starts, 12 wins, nine seconds and three thirds for a bankroll of $350,190. He was bred by Paris Wixon and was a $20,000 bargain purchase out of the Heritage Place September Yearling Sale in 2020. 

Handin Out Candy paid $4.20 to win, $2.60 to place and $2.20 to show and stopped the timer in :45.189 on a fast track, earning a speed index of 95. The rest of the order of finish past the top three was O Donovan Rossa (3-1) fourth, Rock Ya Later (22-1) fifth, Mister Lights Out (9-1) sixth and Chickn Hock (10-1) seventh. Into the Lite scratched.

“I just want to thank God and everyone that supports me, this horse and the team,” said Perez, of Arlington, Texas. “We will keep him here for the Distance Championship on closing night and then take him to Albuquerque, then to Retama and Hobbs (N.M., Zia Park).”

The Pauls Valley Stakes, named after the city located about one hour south of Remington Park and Oklahoma City, is for American Quarter Horses, 3-years-old and older around the turn.

This is the first victory in the Pauls Valley Stakes for all the connections of Handin Out Candy.

Remington Park racing continues Sunday at 4pm-Central.

Remington Park has provided more than $410 Million to the State of Oklahoma general education fund since the opening of the casino in 2005. Located at the junction of Interstates 35 & 44, in the heart of the Oklahoma City Adventure District. The $1,000,000 Heritage Place Futurity takes place on the final night of the spring season on Saturday, May 30. Remington Park presents year-round simulcast racing and casino gaming. Guests must be 18 or older to wager on horse racing or to enter the casino gaming floor. Visit remingtonpark.com for more information.

By Richard Linihan

ohrc-logo-full-color
©OHRC

The Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission’s Board of Stewards has outlined a detailed process for trainers seeking to return protected horses to racing following the April 22 emergency orders.

The new guidelines require a case-by-case review focused on horse welfare and racing integrity. “The central question is whether… allowing the horse to compete would not… compromise equine welfare,” the document states.

Horses are divided into two groups, with those that experienced severe post-race distress facing heightened scrutiny.

Trainers must submit a separate application for each horse, including a full 90-day history, complete veterinary and treatment records, and a sworn certification. Independent veterinary evaluations, and in some cases specialist reviews, are mandatory.

Each horse must also complete extensive diagnostic testing and a supervised workout, where officials monitor performance and recovery.

“No horse will be removed… based upon assurances alone,” the instructions emphasize.

Stewards may approve, deny, or delay decisions, but no horse will return to racing unless officials are satisfied there are no remaining safety concerns.

Officials stressed that the process is protective, not punitive, with the goal of ensuring horses can safely and humanely compete.

View the documents below:
Trainer Instruction for removal of protected Horses
Trainer Checklist

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