Evangeline Downs Prince Stakes
Evangeline Downs, 9-2-17, 6 furlongs

READY PROSPECTOR
Custom for Carlos – Vera Belle
Breeder: Virginia Lazenby
Owner: Virginia Lazenby Racing Stable LLC
Trainer: Oscar Modica
Jockey: Gerard Melancon

OPELOUSAS, LA – Virginia Lazenby Racing Stable’s Ready Prospector was able to add a second stakes victory of the Evangeline Downs season to his steadily improving resume’ with a win in the $50,000 Evangeline Downs Prince. Ready Prospector had previously won the $75,000 D.S. “Shine” Young Futurity on July 29.

Sent right into contention by jockey Gerard Melancon, Ready Prospector allowed Calimor to take the lead on the backstretch and settled into second. The early fractions were strong as the quarter-mile was covered in 22.20 seconds and the half-mile went by in 45.74 seconds. Ready Prospector reclaimed the lead on the far turn and then turned away late challenges by Land Battle and Hardworkcleanlivin to win by 2-1/2 lengths. The final time for the six furlongs was 1:11.41 over the fast track.

Ready Prospector was bred in Louisiana by Virginia Lazenby and is trained by Oscar Modica. He has won two of his three lifetime starts and the $30,000 first-place purse increases his lifetime earnings to $80,200. Ready Prospector is by Custom for Carlos and out of the Not For Love mare, Vera Belle.

Ready Prospector paid $9 to win, $5.60 to place and $4 to show. Land Battle rallied late for second and paid $10.20 to place and $6.20 to show. Hardworkcleanlivin paid $3.60 to show.