RUNNING ARGUMENT PROVES BEST IN THE $70,000 D.S. ‘SHINE’ YOUNG FUTURITY

Running Argument wins the filly division of the D.S. Shine Young Futurity for 2YOs at EVD. Coady Photography.
Running Argument wins the filly division of the D.S. Shine Young Futurity for 2YOs at EVD. Coady Photography.

 

OPELOUSAS, LA –Running Argument stated her case with a strong performance in the $70,000 D.S. ‘Shine’ Young Futurity at Evangeline Downs on Friday night.  The filly division of the futurity for Louisiana-bred 2-year-old runners was contested over a fast track at the distance of 5-1/2 furlongs.

Longshots Jaydan Cat, Custom Sunshine and Astrology Girl were away quickly to set a fast early pace, with Running Argument and jockey Elio Barrera settling into stride in mid-pack.  The trio sped through an opening quarter-mile in 22.23 seconds, with Running Argument commencing a four-wide bid from fifth position.

As the field turned into the stretch, the Hance Robbins, Jr. trainee swept to the front to lead by a length after a half-mile in 47.17 seconds.  Girl Likes Bling had parlayed a ground saving trip into a contending position, with Emily’s Bullet and Bohemian Jiggles running on late for minor awards.  Running Argument slowly extended the lead in the final yards, with the winning margin 1-3/4 lengths.  Girl Likes Bling was second with Emily’s Bullet a half-length away in third and Bohemian Jiggles finishing fourth.  The final time for the winner was 1:07.61.

Owned and trained by Hance Robbins, Jr., Running Argument earned $42,000 in the second victory from two career starts.  Her bankroll increases to $62,400.

The winner was bred in Louisiana by Hance Ray Robbins, Jr.  The dark bay, or brown, filly was sired by Closing Argument and is out of the Cherokee Run mare Run Jamaican’s Run.

Running Argument returned $4 to win as the favorite, $2.60 to place and $2.20 to show.  Girl Likes Bling paid $10.60 to place, $6.60 to show and Emily’s Bullet paid $5.60 to show.

FAT CLEMENZA TAKES DOWN THE $50,000 EVANGELINE DOWNS PRINCE

STAKES VICTORY IS ONE OF THREE WINS ON THE CLOSING NIGHT CARD FOR JOCKEY COLBY HERNANDEZ

 

FAT CLEMENZA
Fat Clemenza wins the Evangeline Downs Prince Stakes, August 25, 2018. Coady Photography

 

Evangeline Downs Prince Stakes
Evangeline Downs, 8-25-18, 6 furlongs, $50,000
Two-Year-Old Colts and Geldings

FAT CLEMENZA
Closing Argument–Bronze Abe
Breeder: Chrislin LLC, (LA)
Owner: Darrah Wentworth
Trainer: Harvey Lourd, III
Jockey: Colby J. Hernandez

2nd
Wakefield
Munnings–Proudtobeajones
Breeder: Nathan Wallis (TX)
Owner: Jerry Namy
Trainer: Karl Broberg
Jockey: Timothy Thornton

3rd
Geauxcro
Unbridledsensation–Holy Vision R. N.
Breeder: Carrol J. Castille (LA)
Owner: Whispering Oaks Farm LLC
Trainer: Steven B. Flint
Jockey: Kerwin D. Clark

OPELOUSAS, LA – Darrah Wentworth’s Fat Clemenza was an impressive maiden-breaking winner at Evangeline Downs on August 3, winning that first start by seven lengths. The gelding made it two in a row here this season by overcoming traffic trouble in the stretch to claim a victory in the $50,000 Evangeline Downs Prince on Saturday night.

The early fractions were carved out nicely by B W P Express, who led through a quarter-mile of 22.02 seconds and a half-mile of 45.68. Fat Clemenza was pinned in at the rail through the early stages and was still fighting for racing room as the field entered the stretch. Meanwhile, the 2-5 betting favorite, Wakefield, had made a nifty move on the far turn while running three-wide and made the lead at the 3/16 pole. Fat Clemenza was angled out by jockey Colby Hernandez and moved to the outside of Wakefield to make a challenge. The grey gelding wore down the leader in the stretch to prevail by one length in a final time of 1:12.07 for six furlongs over the fast track.

Fat Clemenza returned $8 to win, $2.60 to place and $2.60 to show. Wakefield paid $2.10 to place and $2.10 to show. A 46-1 longshot, Geauxcro, came in third and paid $8 to show.

Fat Clemenza was bred in Louisiana by Chrislin, LLC and he is trained by Harvey Lourd III. The 2-year-old gelding is by Closing Argument, and is out of the Two Punch mare, Bronze Abe. He is now 2-for-2 in his career and the $30,000 first-place purse increases his lifetime earnings to $45,300.

Live racing at Evangeline Downs will resume on Wednesday, October 3 when the 2018 American Quarter Horse season begins with a 46-night racing season. Post time for that season will be 5:35 pm Central Time.

For more information on the upcoming season, 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.