(Edited Fair Grounds report)

NEW ORLEANS, La. – John Gunther’s House of Silver, under a well-judged ride by jockey Jesus Castanon, led from flag fall to finish in the $46,000 turf allowance feature Friday at Fair Grounds.

House of Silver held off a late challenge by Fifty Five to be a half-length the best at the wire.

Trained by Wally Dollase, saddling his eighth winner at the local meeting, House of Silver toured the about 1 1/16-mile distance over the Stall-Wilson turf course in 1:43.57 after recording early splits of 23.65 and 47.98. The winner paid $5.40, $3.60 and $2.40, and increased his career earnings to $127,260 with his third lifetime win in 11 career starts.

Fifty Five paid $12.20 and $ 6.40 in the runner up spot while finishing 1 3/4 lengths in front of Sir Rabbit, who returned $4.60 for the show position.

Racing resumes Saturday at Fair Grounds with a 10-race program featuring two stakes for 3-year-old Louisiana-breds – the $60,000 Gentilly and the $60,000 Sarah Lane’s Oates. First post is 12:30 p.m. CST.