LEADING RIDER DIEGO SAENZ BRINGS HOME SAM BREAUX TRAINEE
Snowball wins the Evangeline Downs Distaff. Coady Photography.
OPELOUSAS, LA – Evangeline Downs kicked off the 2021 stakes schedule as Diego Saenz booted home Tin Roof Farms LLC’s Snowball to win the $60,000 Evangeline Downs Distaff.
Snowball broke smoothly in the one-mile test for older Louisiana-bred fillies and mares. After being allowed to settle off the early pace set by Saber Cut and Distractor Factor, under steady fractions of 24.84 for the opening quarter-mile and 48.72 for the half mile. As the field entered the far turn, Snowball commenced with a three-wide rally to collar the leaders at the top of the lane after six furlongs went in 1:13.17.
After taking the lead inside the final furlong, Snowball, who is trained by Sam Breaux, drew clear over a stubborn Distractor Factor to win by three-quarters of a length. Saber Cut wound up third another half-length behind the top pair. The final running time for the distance was 1:38.35 over a track listed fast.
The win by Snowball was the sixth of her 28-race career. She earned $36,000 for the victory, running her career earnings to $296, 680.
A 5-year-old mare, Snowball was bred in Louisiana by 4M Ranch. The gray, or roan, mare is by Apriority, out of the Value Plus mare Inner Peace.
Sent off as the 8.5 favorite, Snowball paid $5.40 to win, $3.00 to place and $2.40 to show. Distractor Factor returned $5.00 to place and $4.20 to show. Saber Cut paid $5.60 to show.
Evangeline Downs finishes up the third week of racing with another nine-race card Saturday, featuring the $60,000 Evangeline Downs Classic. A field of seven set to travel the one-mile distance.
Evangeline Downs Racetrack Casino and Hotel, a property of Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE:BYD), features exciting casino action, live horse racing and fun dining experiences. Evangeline Downs is located in Opelousas, Louisiana, off I-49 on Cresswell Lane at Exit 18.
Louisiana Cup Filly and Mare Sprint
Louisiana Downs, 9-19-20, 6 furlongs
3YO and Up, Accredited Louisiana Bred, Fillies and Mares, $50,000
Snowball emerges from the pack to take the Louisiana Cup Filly and Mare Sprint. Hodges Photo
SNOWBALL
Apriority–Inner Peace
Breeder: 4M Ranch
Owner: Tin Roof Farms LLC
Trainer: Samuel Breaux
Jockey: Diego Saenz
2nd Play Unified
Exchange Rate–Carson City Sham
Breeder: Keith Hernandez, Earl Hernandez & John Duvieilh
Owner: Ivery Sisters Racing, Larry J. Romero, Dorby Racing, LLC and Winalot Racing, LLC
Trainer: Ron Faucheux
Jockey: E. M. Murray
3rd Our Lost Love
Half Ours–Lost Love Baby
Breeder: Tri-Star Racing LLC
Owner: Tri-Star Racing, LLC
Trainer: Joseph M. Foster
Jockey: Carlos Lozada
Defending Champions Is Too Takes the $50,000 Louisiana Cup Distaff
Leading Louisiana Downs Jockey Joel Dominguez Wins Two of the Six Features
Bossier City, LA – To say that 2020 has been a challenge for the Louisiana racing industry is a tremendous understatement. However, on Saturday, September 19, Louisiana-bred Thoroughbreds showcased their talent and gave breeders, owners, trainers and jockeys a well-deserved break from the stress of COVID-19 and hurricanes targeting the Gulf Coast. An enthusiastic crowd enjoyed the gorgeous weather, full fields and thrilling finishes in each of the six featured stakes on Louisiana Cup Day.
Mirabeau Powers to Her Second Stakes Victory in the $50,000 Louisiana Cup Juvenile Fillies
Mirabeau with jocky Diego Saenz aboard winning the Louisiana Cup Juvenile Fillies.
Stakes action gets underway in the second race, the $50,000 Louisiana Cup Juvenile Fillies. A very competitive field of 11 accredited 2-year-old Louisiana-bred fillies entered the gate for the six furlong contest with a commanding victory by Mirabeau.
Owned by Larry Romero and Ron Faucheux, the daughter of Bind out of the Speightstown mare, Smittystown, was bred by J. Adcock and Nathan Granger and is trained by Faucheux. She was a commanding ten-length winner in the filly’s division of the $60,000 D.S. “Shine” Young Futurity on August 29 at Evangeline Downs and did not disappoint today.
“She gets better every time,” said jockey Diego Saenz, who patiently sat off the early pace before joining Ru Lala at the top of the stretch.
Mirabeau crossed the wire in 1:12.66, winning by a margin of six lengths. She has now won four of her five career efforts, banking $105,350.
“We couldn’t ask for anything more from a 2-year-old filly”, stated Faucheux. “I really liked her draw; there wasn’t much speed on the outside. I figured she might hook up with Asmussen’s filly, so our goal was to sit off the pace and make a run around the turn. It worked perfect for us! She keeps maturing. We aimed at this race after the “Shine” and will go right into Champions Day at Fair Grounds. Our goal is to keep her healthy, sound and fit and hopefully she will continue on like this.”
Ru Lala, trained by Steve Asmussen who won his 9,000th career race last night at Remington Park, held for second. Longshot Tecate Timeclosed for third and Inawic completed the superfecta.
Chu Chu’s Legacy Denied His Rivals in the $50,000 Louisiana Cup Juvenile
Chu Chu’s Legacy wins the Louisiana Cup Juvenile
It was another solid field of Louisiana-bred 2-year-old colts and geldings in the $50,000 Louisiana Cup Juvenile going six furlongs on the main track.
The victory went to Allen Landry’s Chu Chu’s Legacy, who broke in front under jockey Tim Thornton and never relinquished the lead, drawing clear in a final time of 1:13.41.
The son of Bind, who won the $60,000 D.S. “Shine” Young Futurity division for colts and geldings was bred by J. Adcock and Hume Warnell.
“He’s a real professional horse,” said Thorton. “Mr. Allen has done a great job with him. He looks like he has a bright future ahead of him.”
Owner/trainer Landry was pleased with the tenacity of his colt.
“He does what he has to do,” said Landry who purchased the colt for a modest $4,000 at the Equine Sales Mixed Sale. “He was pressured again today, but Tim said he stayed relaxed and just did his thing.”
Landry’s wife Sandra named the colt after Chu Chu Perez who worked for the couple as a groom and recently passed away.
Running second was 35-1 entrant Janets Jay Jay under rider Luis Batista, followed by Creole Charlie and G’wildcat.
Sent off as the favorite, Chu Chu’s Legacy paid $5.20 for the win, which was his third in four starts. With today’s winner’s share of $30,000, his earnings stand at $90,800.
Defending Champion Is Too Triumphs in Gate to Wire Fashion in the $50,000 Louisiana Cup Distaff
Is Too wins the Louisiana Cup Distaff
There was little pressure for defending champion Is Too who schooled a very nice field of fillies and mares in the $50,000 Louisiana Cup Distaff.
The 5-year-old daughter of Midshipman is owned by Barrone Farms LLC, and won last year under Colby Hernandez. This year, jockey Diego Saenz had the call and set very comfortable early fractions of :25.06; 50:47 before drawing clear in 1:43.33 over a firm Franks Turf Course.
“She was very relaxed,” said Saenz. “They let me set the fractions and I was able to walk the dog, like they say! I was a little nervous as I have ridden several of these mares, but she got it done.”
Trainer Edward Johnston was reached on the phone following the victory.
“Diego did a tremendous job setting the fractions,” he said. “I knew he would have plenty left when he was able to slow it down on the lead. They weren’t going to catch her today.”
Is Too ($7.20) won her seventh race from 22 starts and has now won $249,730..
Stakes winner Mariah’s Galaxy was running late under rider Kevin Smith to complete the exacta with Room To Finish and Alliceous completing the top four spots.
Snowball Surges to Capture the $50,000 Louisiana Cup Filly and Mare Sprint
Snowball prevails in a crowded field to win the Louisiana Cup Filly and Mare Sprint
The $50,000 Louisiana Filly and Mare Sprint attracted a highly competitive group of distaffers competing at the distance of six furlongs.
Tin Roof Farms LLC’s Snowball, a 4-year-old daughter of Apriority, won her last two races at Evangeline Downs, including the $60,000 Louisiana Legends Mademoiselle Stakes on July 4. Trained by Samuel Breaux, the gray filly broke from post position three with Diego Saenz in the saddle. Bred by 4M Ranch, Snowball made one previous start at Louisiana Downs in 2019, running fourth in the Elge Rasberry, which was run at a mile on the turf.
Sprinting has become her forte, according to her conditioner as he watched her cross the wire of the six furlong contest in 1:12.02.
“She had lots of traffic in the front,” said Breaux. “But Diego got her through it and she did the rest. We changed her style from a route horse to a sprinter and she has taken advantage of it.”
Owner Matt Jeffrey was on hand to see his filly pick up her third race in a row.
“It’s been a blast,” said Jeffrey. ”To be here with our family and friends is something we look forward to. Sam does an amazing job.”
Jeffrey’s 7-year-old daughter Payton named the filly after admiring her at the sale, she told her parents that the potential racehorse reminded her of a snowball!
Trainer Ron Faucheux saddled runner-up Play Unified, a 7-year-old mare by Exchange Rate, who rallied under Erica Murray. Our Lost Love, Louisiana 2-year-old champion filly, ran third followed by Miss Pat’s Girl.
Budro Talking Returned to the Winner’s Circle $50,000 Louisiana Cup Turf Classic
Budro Talking wins the Louisiana Cup Turf Classic
The $50,000 Louisiana Turf Cup Classic attracted 12 runners going a mile and one-sixteenth over the Franks Turf Course.
Budro Talking had an excellent turf record for owner Jack Randall and has won five of his eight Louisiana Downs starts, including last year’s Sunday Silence. Joel Dominguez piloted the 5-year-old son of Tale of Ekati, advancing gamely down the stretch over longshot Nippy Red and previous champion In The Navy.
In one of the most animated winner’s circle celebrations in Louisiana Cup history, trainer Keith Austin saluted owner Jack Randall and was thrilled to notch his first stakes win as a conditioner.
“I rode for 23 years and never won a stakes,” said Austin. “I said that if I ever got the opportunity to train horses, and rode the horses I trained, I would have won a stakes. Joel Dominguez was Superman today and Jack Randall is the reason I am here today. He gave me the opportunity to train when nobody else would. He believed in me. I had to make this horse happy and make him feel at home.”
“He’s just a champ; I was just the passenger,” said rider Dominguez. “I saved ground on the first turn and gave him a clean trip. I knew he was going to come running.”
Sydster followed Nippy Red and In the Navy to the wire. Budro Talking ($6.40) won in a final time of 1:41.9, earning his eighth win in 24 starts.
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First Stakes Score for Saltee Stark in the $50,000 Louisiana Sprint
Saltee Stark edges the competition to win the Louisiana Cup Sprint
Two previous champions of the $50,000 Louisiana Sprint were denied in the finale when Saltee Stark finished with a rush under Louisiana Downs leading rider Joel Dominguez.
The 5-year-old son of Calibrachoa was making his 17th career start for trainer Joe O. Duhon, who felt his runner would be competitive based on his August 14 win here.
“I decided to run him in this because he had a good recent race,” explained Duhon. “Fellow trainer Shane Wilson and I talked about it and he felt my horse could compete. I want give thanks to my owner, John S. Turner, who passed away a couple of weeks ago.”
This was the second stakes victory on the card for Dominguez, who will be honored with his first leading rider title on Wednesday.
“Joe and I talked and said if he ran like he did last time, he would win,” said Dominguez.
Defending champion Laughingsaintssong had the lead in the first half-mile, but faded to fifth/ Trainer Ron Faucheux looked for a good effort from his two entrants, Bertie’s Galaxy, who was game throughout the race under Erica Murray, finishing second and 2018 champion Monte Man, who rallied for third.
Saltee Stark ($12.00) was bred by Moon Lake Equine Center LLC and was clocked in 1:11.19. He will be pointed to Fair Grounds according to Duhon.
Just three more days remain in the 2020 Harrah’s Louisiana Downs Thoroughbred meet. Live racing continues Monday, September 21. Tuesday, September 22 and will conclude on Wednesday, September 23 with the presentation of the End of the Meet awards to the leading owner, trainer and jockey.
About Harrah’s Louisiana Downs
Located near Shreveport in Bossier City, Louisiana, Louisiana Downs opened in 1974 and was purchased by Caesars Entertainment in December, 2002. With annual Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing seasons, the track is committed to presenting the highest quality racing programs paired with its 150,000 square foot entertainment complex offering casino gambling, dining and plasma screen televisions for sports and simulcast racing.
Louisiana Legends Mademoiselle S
Evangeline Downs, 7-4-20, 5.5 furlongs
Accredited Louisiana Bred, Three-Year-Olds and Upwards, Fillies and Mares, $60,000
Snowball wins the Louisiana Legends Mademoiselle. Coady Photography
SNOWBALL Apriority – Inner Peace
Breeder: 4M Ranch
Owner: Tin Roof Farms LLC
Trainer: Samuel Breaux
Jockey: Ty Kennedy
2nd Saints N Muskets
Musket Man–Laughing Saint
Breeder: J. E. Jumonville Jr. & Bunny Jumonville
Owner: Rodney J. Verret
Trainer: Allen Landry
Jockey: Timothy Thornton
3rd Play Unified
Exchange Rate–Carson City Sham
Breeder: Keith Hernandez, Earl Hernandez & John Duvieilh
Owner: Ivery Sisters Racing, Larry J. Romero, Dorby Racing, LLC and Winalot Racing, LLC
Trainer: Ron Faucheux
Jockey: Diego Saenz
JOCKEY DIEGO SAENZ IS THE RIDING STAR OF THE NIGHT WITH THREE STAKES WINS
OPELOUSAS, LA – Evangeline Downs hosted its annual celebration of the Louisiana-bred Thoroughbred on Saturday night with Louisiana Legends Night. There were eight stakes races with purses totaling $550,000, making it the richest night of the entire Thoroughbred season.
Louisiana Legends Mademoiselle
Evangeline Downs, 5-25-19, 5 1/2 furlongs
Three-Year-Olds and Upwards, Fillies and Mares, Accredited Louisiana Bred, $75,000
OURS TO RUN
Half Ours-Brown Eyed Baby
Breeder: Clifford Grum
Owner: Colonel Thoroughbreds, LLC
Trainer: J. Larry Jones
Jockey: R. Morales
2nd Our Millie
Half Ours–Magic Madam
Breeder: Barbara V. Rowell
Owner: Ming Yan Ng
Trainer: Ron Faucheux
Jockey: T. Thornton
3rd Tensas Thought
Custom for Carlos–Tensas Idea
Breeder: Curt Leake
Owner: Cash is King, LLC and Edward Johnston Racing Stables, Inc.
Trainer: Edward J. Johnston
Jockey: C.J. Hernandez
The first stakes race of the evening featured a returning champion in Ours to Run, who defended her victory in the $75,000 Mademoiselle by winning the race once again over a game Our Millie. Ours to Run was sent off as the biggest betting favorite of the night at odds of 1-9 and covered the 5-1/2 furlongs over the fast main track in a final time of 1:03.48 to win by 1-1/4 lengths.
Ours to Run was bred in Louisiana by Clifford Grum, is owned by Colonel Thoroughbreds, LLC, trained by Larry Jones and was ridden to victory by Roberto Morales. The 5-year-old mare is by Half Ours and is out of the Mineshaft mare, Brown Eyed Baby and has now extended her winning streak to six stakes races in a row.
SNOWBALL
Apriority–Inner Peace
Breeder: 4M Ranch
Owner: Tin Roof Farms LLC
Trainer: Samuel Breaux
Jockey: D. Saenz
2nd Net a Bear
Awesome Bet–Edacious Reality
Breeder: Lora Pitre & Elaine Carroll
Owner: Maximo Lamarche and Federico Deltoro
Trainer: Allen Landry
Jockey: S. Laviolette
3rd Cicada’s Song
Twirling Candy–Money for Makeup
Breeder: J. Adcock & Hume Wornall
Owner: John F. Youngblood
Trainer: Albert M. Stall, Jr.
Jockey: C.J. Hernandez
Snowball was sent right to the lead in the $75,000 Soiree by jockey Diego Saenz and she took that cue to lead every step of the way to score a 6-1 upset victory, finishing the one mile distance in a time of 1:39.69 to win by three-quarters of a length.
Snowball was bred in Louisiana by 4M Ranch, is owned by Tin Roof Farms, LLC, and trained by Sam Breaux. The 3-year-old filly is by Apriority and is out of the Value Plus mare, Inner Peace.
Louisiana Legends Distaff Starter
Evangeline Downs, 5-25-2019, 7 furlongs
Three-Year-Olds and Upwards, Fillies and Mares, Accredited Louisiana Bred, $50,000
GALAXY THIRTYSIX
Greeley’s Galaxy-Stang Thirtysix
Breeder: Gerald L. Averett, Jr.
Owner: Arian Haxhillari
Trainer: Ron Faucheux
Jockey: D. Saenz
2nd Tenpins Tempo
Tenpins-Perfect Time
Breeder: Elite Thoroughbreds
Owner: Elite Thoroughbred Racing LLC
Trainer: Lee Thomas
Jockey: C.J. Hernandez
3rd Kiss That Dude
First Dude-Kiss Me Tu
Breeder: Maverick Stables, Inc.
Owner: Wayne T. Davis
Trainer: Shane Wilson
Jockey: G. Melancon
Jockey Diego Saenz then made it back-to-back stakes wins on Louisiana Legends Night by coming through with a 3-1/2 length victory aboard Galaxy Thirtysix in the $50,000 Distaff Starter. The win was the second stakes victory of 2019 for Galaxy Thirtysix, who had previously won the $60,000 Premier Night Ladies Starter Stakes at Delta Downs on February 9.
Galaxy Thirtysix was bred in Louisiana by Gerald Averett, Jr., is owned by Arian Haxhillari and trained by Ron Faucheux. The 5-year-old mare is by Greeley’s Galaxy and is out of the Forty Won mare, Stang Thirtysix.
SHANG
Shanghai Bobby–Humble Janet
Breeder: Cloyce C. Clark Jr.
Owner: L. William and Corinne Heiligbrodt
Trainer: Steven M. Asmussen
Jockey: R.E. Eramia
2nd Power Jet
Power Broker–Zada Rae
Breeder: Joseph Adcock
Owner: William T. Reed
Trainer: W. Bret Calhoun
Jockey: C. R. Rosier
3rd Inspector Eddie
Mineshaft–Happy Choice
Breeder: Clear Creek Stud LLC
Owner: Cash is King LLC
Trainer: Edward J. Johnston
Jockey: C.J. Hernandez
Shang, who was sent off as a strong 3-5 favorite in the $75,000 Cheval, rewarded the faith of the betting public with a victory by one length over the 2019 Equine Sales Derby winner, Power Jet. Power Jet tried to go last-to-first, but his challenge was rebuffed easily by Shang, who finished the one mile in 1:38.26.
Shang was bred in Louisiana by Cloyce Clark, Jr. The 3-year-old colt is owned by Corrine and William Heiligbrodt, trained by Steve Asmussen and was ridden to victory by Richard Eramia. Shang is by Shanghai Bobby and is out of the Humble Eleven mare, Humble Janet.
Louisiana Legends Turf Distaff
Evangeline Downs, 5-25-2019, 8 furlongs (turf)
Three-Year-Olds and Upwards, Fillies and Mares, Accredited Louisiana Breds, $75,000
BERMUDA STAR
Star Guitar–Bermuda Bride
Breeder: Tom Curtis & Wayne Simpson
Owner: Brittlyn Stable, Inc.
Trainer: Victor Arceneaux
Jockey: D. Saenz
2nd Is Too
Midshipman–Tensas Salt
Breeder: J. Adcock & Montgomery Equine Center
Owner: Baronne Farms, LLC
Trainer: Edward J. Johnston
Jockey: C.J. Hernandez
3rd Tap Dance Star
Star Guitar–Dance by Em
Breeder: Virginia Lazenby
Owner: Virginia Lazenby Racing Stable LLC
Trainer: Oscar Modica
Jockey: G. Melancon
The first of two turf races on the program was the $75,000 Turf Distaff and Diego Saenz collected his third stakes victory of the night with Bermuda Star, who covered the one mile over the firm turf in a time of 1:37.19. Bermuda Star got first run on the pace-setting longshot, Mi Copa Rebosa, and then fended off a challenge from the 4-5 favorite, Is Too, to win by a half-length.
Bermuda Star was bred in Louisiana by Tom Curtis and Wayne Simpson. The 5-year-old mare is owned by Brittlyn Stable, Inc. and trained by Victor Arceneaux. She is by Star Guitar and out of the Runaway Groom mare, Bermuda Bride.
3rd Double Barrel Man
Musket Man–Double Points Day
Breeder: Michele Rodriguez
Owner: End Zone Athletics, Inc.
Trainer: Karl Broberg
Jockey: C.J. Hernandez
There was another winner from last year’s edition of Louisiana Legends Night defending his crown on Saturday night and that was the 2018 Louisiana-bred Horse of the Year, Monte Man, in the $75,000 Sprint. Monte Man had to overcome a slow start and rally five-wide on the far turn, but he managed to survive those troubles and win by three-quarters of a length in a final time of 1:03.48 for the 5-1/2 furlongs.
Monte Man was ridden to victory by Gerard Melancon, who was also aboard for that 2018 score. The 6-year-old gelding was the second win on the night for trainer Ron Faucheux. He was bred in Louisiana by Val C. Murrell and is owned by Ivery Sisters Racing. Monte Man is by Custom For Carlos and is out of the Sutter’s Prospect mare, Sarah’s My Angel.
MAGEEZ
Musket Man–Spaseeba
Breeder: James A. Mcgehee Jr.
Owner: Double Dam Farm LLC
Trainer: Delmar R. Caldwell
Jockey: R. Morales
2nd In The Navy
Midshipman–Southern Princess
Breeder: Ken Standlee
Owner: Ken Standlee
Trainer: Scott Gelner
Jockey: D. Saenz
3rd Theoryintopractice
Into Mischief–Cayman Colada
Breeder: Cypress Bend Farm
Owner: Courtney Barousse
Trainer: Steven M. Asmussen
Jockey: R. Eramia
It was a return to the grass for the $75,000 Turf, which provided one of the more exciting finishes of the night, as Mageez just beat out In the Navy for the win and denied Diego Saenz a fourth stakes victory. Instead, it was Roberto Morales who collected win number two on the evening, as Mageez won by a head and finished the 1-1/16 miles in a time of 1:43.27.
Mageez is owned by Double Dam Farm, LLC, of Delmar Caldwell, who is also the trainer. The 6-year-old horse was bred in Louisiana by James A. McGehee, Jr. Mageez is by Musket Man and is out of the Spectacular Bid mare, Spaseeba.
Louisiana Legends Starter
Evangeline Downs, 5-25-2019, 1 1/16 miles
Three-Year-Olds and Upwards, Accredited Louisiana Bred, $50,000
JUST STORMIN
Freud-Crypto Cream
Breeder: Tom Curtis & Wayne Simpson
Owner: Craig Drago
Trainer: Allen Landry
Jockey: K.D. Clark
2nd Lucky Andy
Lookin At Lucky-Sweet Britches
Breeder: George Gary Guidry MD & Walter Dwayne Brown MD
Owner: Hardy Racing Stables LLC
Trainer: Keith G. Bourgeois
Jockey: G. Melancon
3rd I Am Ready Again
Prado Again-Fillyocity
Breeder: Harry D. Williamson & Charles J. Guilbeau Jr.
Owner: End Zone Athletics
Trainer: Karl Broberg
Jockey: R. Morales
The $50,000 Starter was the final stakes race on the program and the 3-5 favorite, Just Stormin, proved best after being headed on the turn by I Am Ready Again. Just Stormin re-rallied in the stretch and ended up winning by 1-1/2 lengths in a time of 1:45.40 for the 1 1/16 miles.
Just Stormin was bred in Louisiana by Tom Curtis and Wayne Simpson. The 7-year-old gelding is owned by Craig Drago, trained by Allen Landry and was ridden to victory by Kerwin Clark. Just Stormin is by Freud and is out of the Cryptoclearance mare, Crypto Cream.
Live racing at Evangeline Downs will resume on Wednesday night with a nine-race program. Post time on Wednesday will be 5:50 pm Central Time.
For more information on the Thoroughbred season at Evangeline Downs, visit the track’s website at www.evdracing.com. Evangeline Downs’ Twitter handle is @EVDRacing and the racetrack is also accessible on Facebook at www.facebook.com/EvangelineDownsRacing.
About Evangeline Downs
Evangeline Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel is owned by Boyd Gaming Corporation, a leading diversified owner and operator of 22 gaming entertainment properties located in Nevada, New Jersey, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. Boyd Gaming press releases are available at www.prnewswire.com. Additional news and information can be found at www.boydgaming.com, or www.evangelinedowns.com.
OPELOUSAS, LA – Evangeline Downs hosted two divisions of the $75,000 D.S. “Shine” Young Futurity on Saturdaynight for Louisiana-bred 2-year-olds, one for colts and geldings and one for fillies.
Pickett wins the colt division of the D.S “Shine” Young Memorial Futurity. Coady Photography
D.S. “Shine” Young Futurity (colt and gelding div.)
Evangeline Downs, 7-14-18, 5 1/2 furlongs, $75,000
2YO Accredited Louisiana Breds
PICKETT
Goldencents–Street Beat
Breeder: William D. Pickett
Owner: Charles Carlton
Trainer: Glenn Delahoussaye
Jockey: Timothy Thornton
2nd Victory Trip
Guilt Trip–Anne Margaret
Breeder: Terry Adcock
Owner: Norman Stables
Trainer: Lonnie Briley
Jockey: Ashley Broussard
3rd Beto
Custom for Carlos–Bella Moneta
Breeder: Jason Hall & BCS Thoroughbreds LLC
Owner: L. William and Corinne Heilibrodt
Trainer: Steven M. Asmussen
Jockey: Roberto Morales
In the Colts and Geldings Division, a speed duel between the two betting choices developed as Beto and Pickett hooked up shortly after the start. The pair duked it out through a swift 21.97 seconds for the quarter-mile and 45.87 for the half. Beto, the 7-5 betting favorite, was the one that gave way as they entered the stretch. Pickett then had to withstand a late challenge from Victory Trip and did so convincingly, pulling away to a nine-length victory in a final time of 1:05.37 for the 5-1/2 furlongs over the fast track.
Pickett was sent off at 5-2 by the wagering public and paid $7.60 to win, $3.40 to place and $2.60 to show. Victory Trip returned $4.40 to place and $3 to show. Beto held third and paid $2.60 to show.
Pickett was bred in Louisiana by William D. Pickett and is owned by Charles Carlton. The 2-year-old gelding is trained by Glenn Delahoussaye and was ridden to victory by Tim Thornton. Pickett is by two-time Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner, Goldencents and out of the Dixie Brass mare, Street Beat. He is now 2-for-2 in his brief career and the $45,000 first-place purse increases his lifetime earnings to $59,400.
Atchata wins the filly division of the D.S “Shine” Young Memorial Futurity. Coady Photography
ATCHATA
Apriority–Sweet Jackie Jo
Breeder: 4M Ranch
Owner: L. William and Corinne Heilibrodt
Trainer: Steven M. Asmussen
Jockey: Diego Saenz
2nd D’Rockette
D’wildcat–Rock N Roll Brick
Breeder: Carrol J. Castille
Owner: Whispering Oaks Farm LLC
Trainer: Steven B. Flint
Jockey: Roberto Morales
3rd Scat At M. Pat’s
Bind-Fast Annie
Breeder: J. Adcock
Owner: Rodney Virgadamo and Keith Bonura
Trainer: Justin Jeansonne
Jockey: Timothy Thornton
In the Fillies Division of the $75,000 D.S. “Shine” Young Futurity, it was Atchata who shone the brightest. The filly, who was sent off as the 4-5 betting favorite, was one of the early pacesetters after a strong start. She and Scat At Ms. Pat’s dueled through strong fractions of 22.12 seconds for the quarter-mile and 46.14 for the half-mile. As the field turned for home, Atchata turned on the after-burners and drew away to a convincing 6-1/2 length victory in a final time of 1:06.25 for the 5-1/2 furlongs. An 80-1 longshot, D’rockette closed to get second and Scat At Ms. Pat’s held third.
Atchata returned $3.60 to win, $3 to place and $2.40 to show. D’Rockette paid $27.80 to place and $7.80 to show, while Scat At Ms. Pat’s paid $3 to show.
Atchata was bred in Louisiana by 4M Ranch and owned by Corrine and William Heiligbrodt. The 2-year-old filly is trained by Steve Asmussen and was ridden to victory by Diego Saenz. Atchata is by Apriority and is out of the Stormy Atlantic mare, Sweet Jackie Jo. She has now won two of three races in her career and the $45,000 first-place purse increased her lifetime earnings to $100,000.
Spendthrift Farm’s Goldencents was represented by his first black-type winner July 14 when his son Pickett scored a nine-length, gate-to-wire romp in the D.S. Shine Young Futurity for colts at Evangeline Downs.
Trained by Glenn Delahoussaye, the 2-year-old gelding broke sharply in the 5 1/2-furlong sprint, shook free from the rest of the pack as they hit the turn, and drew off in the stretch under a brisk drive to finish in 1:05.37.
Saturday’s win was the second for Pickett, who broke his maiden May 30 with an equally speedy 6 1/2-length win going 4 1/2 furlongs.
Goldencents, whose three grade 1 wins included consecutive Breeders’ Cup Dirt Miles, is the son of fellow Spendthrift stallion Into Mischief. The now 8-year-old horse broke his maiden on debut at Del Mar and competed in graded stakes races for the rest of his career.
Goldencents retired in 2014 with a record of 7-7-0 from 18 starts and career earnings of $3,044,000. His advertised fee for the 2018 breeding season was $12,500.
Also taking home the first black-type win for her sire Saturday was Atchata, a 2-year-old daughter of Apriority. Competing in the filly division of the D.S. Shine Young Futurity for Louisiana-breds, she dueled for the lead and kicked away in the lane to win by 6 1/2 lengths.
The win was the second in three starts for the bay filly, who debuted May 24 on grass for trainer Steve Asmussen. She finished third in that maiden special weight debut at Belmont Park. Atchata won next time out going six furlongs on the Belmont inner turf but was switched to the dirt for the Futurity.
Bred in Florida out of the Storm Bird mare Midway Squall, Apriority was his best at 4, when he won the Mr Prospector Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park for trainer David Fawkes. The Donald Dizney homebred started 36 times and retired at 7 with a record of 6-9-3 and earnings of $525,829.
The son of Grand Slam entered stud in 2015 at Elite Thoroughbreds in Louisiana, where he stands for a fee of $2,000.
Heiligbrodt’s Atchata overcame a stumble at the start to score by 1 1/2 lengths in a June 15 maiden special weight on the turf to become the first winner for freshman sire Apriority.
Despite the stumble, the 2-year-old filly settled just off the pace behind Too Foofoo for You, who took the field through a quarter-mile in :22.08. Coming off the turn in the six-furlong race, Atchata rolled to the front unchallenged and caught the timer at :44.77 for the half-mile. Pulling away in the stretch, she finished the distance in 1:08.75 over the firm turf course.
Trained by Steve Asmussen, Atchata was purchased under Heiligbrodt’s East Hickman Racing for $85,000 at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales March 2-year-olds in training sale, where Robert Brewer consigned her. She was bred in Louisiana by 4M Ranch out of the Stormy Atlantic mare Sweet Jackie Jo.
Apriority raced from age 3 to 7 and won the 2011 Mr. Prospector Stakes (G3) as a 4-year-old. The son of Grand Slam retired with a record of 6-9-3 from 36 starts. Four of his second-place finishes were in stakes, including a nose difference in the 2011 Churchill Downs Stakes (G2). He also finished second to Morning Line in that year’s Carter Handicap (G1).
Standing at Elite Thoroughbreds in Louisiana, Apriority has a 2018 stud fee of $2,000.
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