Category: Evangeline Downs Classic

Three Louisiana Bred Stakes Saturday at EVD; Touchuponastar Wins Evangeline Classic, Macho Beanie Takes Ragin Cajun, Black Sword Victorious in King Creole

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Touchuponastar shines bright in EVD Classic. Coady Photography

 

 

TOUCHUPONASTAR DAZZLES IN THE $60,000 EVANGELINE CLASSIC

OPELOUSAS, LA – Touchuponastar was brilliant once again with an impressive score in the $60,000 EVD Classic on Saturday night.  The race for 3-year-olds and upward was one of three stake races for Louisiana-bred runners on the Derby night card.

Away in good order under jockey Tim Thornton, Touchuponastar was allowed to settle into stride as Calculated sprinted to the lead.  The early fractions were solid with an opening quarter-mile in 23.62 seconds and a half-mile in 47.21.  As the field headed towards the far turn, it wasn’t a question of who was going to win, but by how wide of a margin.  Touchuponastar steadily increased his lead on the turn while Highland Creek and Double Star chased the leader.

With six furlongs covered in 1:12.07, the Jeff Delhomme-trained Touchuponastar spurted away and widened the margin in the run to the wire.  The winning margin was a convincing 9-1/4 lengths in the end, with Double Star second and Highland Creek another 1-3/4 lengths back in third.  The finishing time for the mile distance was 1:37.87 over a track rated fast for the evening.

Owned by Set Hut LLC (Jake Delhomme), Touchuponastar is a winner for the seventh time in nine career starts.  The winning share of $36,000 increased his lifetime earnings to $334,100.

The 4-year-old bay gelding was bred by Coteau Grove Farms and was sired by Star Guitar.  He is out of the Lion Heart mare Touch Magic.

Heavily favored in the wagering, Touchuponastar returned $2.60 to win, $2.10 to place and $2.10 to show.  Double Star paid $16.60 to place, $13.40 to show and Highland Creek paid $2.80 to show.

 

LONGSHOT MACHO BEANIE EDGES ALLNIGHT MOONLIGHT TO WIN RAGIN CAJUN

Macho Beanie Crosses the Wire Ahead of Allnight Moonlight to Win Ragin Cajun Stakes. Coady Photography

Macho Beanie made a bold bid on the far turn and pulled off a mild upset winning the $60,000 Ragin Cajun.  A new addition to the stake calendar for 3-year-olds, the Ragin Cajun was narrowed down to a three-horse field after scratches.

Macho Beanie and jockey C.J. McMahon were last as the trio moved down the backside with Allnight Moonlight and Late September disputing the early lead.  The Scott Gelner trainee made a bold bid outside of rivals midway on the turn and the three runners were separated by less than a length at the top of the stretch.

As they straightened away, Macho Beanie edged forward to challenge Allnight Moonlight as Late September backed out of the battle.  Inside the final furlong Macho Beanie began to edge clear and hit the wire a neck to the good of Allnight Moonlight.  It was 7-3/4 lengths back to Late September.  The running time for the seven furlongs was hand timed in 1:23.50.

Owned by Oak Tree Stables LLC (Bennett Powell), Macho Beanie wins for the second time in four starts.  The first stakes victory was worth $36,000 and increases his career bankroll to $94,000.

The 3-year-old bay colt was bred by Oak Tree Stables LLC,.  Sired by Mucho Macho Man, he is out of the My Pal Charlie mare My Pal Beanie.

Macho Beanie went off as the longest odds in the short field and returned $8.40 to win and $3 to place.  Allnight Moonlight returned $2.20 to place.  No show wagering was offered on the Ragin Cajun.

 

BLACK SWORD TAKES FIRST RUNNING OF KING CREOLE

Black Sword Proves Best in King Creole Stakes. Coady Photography

Black Sword proved best in the inaugural running of the $60,000 King Creole under jockey Vicente Del-Cid.  Away in good order, Black Sword settled in mid-pack as Bertie’s Galaxy and X Clown battled for the lead through an opening quarter-mile in 23.10 seconds and a half-mile in 46.35.

Black Sword made a four-wide bid at the top of the stretch and wrestled the lead away from a stubborn X Clown nearing the furlong pole.  The Ronnie Averett runner pulled away from the field in the final yards and was four lengths clear at the wire.  X Clown battled on for second, one length better than a late closing Big Chopper.  The final time for the 5-1/2 furlongs for the field of 3-year-olds and upward was 1:04.30.

Owned by Treanor MD LLC (Leonard Treanor, MD), Black Sword is a winner for the seventh time from 24 career starts.  The winning purse of $36,000 increases his lifetime earnings to $214,705.

Bred by Margie Averett, Black Sword is a 6-year-old dark bay or brown gelding.  Sired by Awesome Sword, he is out of the Devil His Due mare Black Mariah.

Black Sword paid $6 to win, $3.40 to place and $2.40 to show.  X Clown returned $6.60 to place, $3.40 to show and Big Chopper paid $2.40 to show.

 

 

Live racing resumes on Wednesday with a 5:30pm first post.  The Evangeline Downs Thoroughbred season runs until August 12.

WHO TOOK THE MONEY CHARGES TO VICTORY IN THE $60,000 EVANGELINE DOWNS CLASSIC

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ALLIED RACING STABLE RUNNERS COMPLETE WEEKEND STAKES SWEEP

 

Who Took The Money wins the $60,000 EVD Classic. Coady Photography.

 

OPELOUSAS, LA –Deshawn Parker capped off a big weekend stakes sweep with a victory aboard Who Took the Money in the $60,000 EVD Classic at Evangeline Downs on Saturday night.   The race for 4-year-old and up Louisiana-bred runners was contested at the distance of one mile over a track rated fast.

 

Father Goose and Maga Man both broke sharply and set off in a spirited duel into the clubhouse turn.  Highland Creek and Drewhustle were on the chase, while Who Took the Money was allowed to relax near the back of the field.  The opening quarter-mile was covered in a swift 23.36 seconds, and the early battle continued through a half-mile in 46.55 seconds.  As the field moved through the far turn, Highland Creek, the other Allied Racing Stables, LLC (Chester Thomas) runner in the field, was in a striking position just behind the leaders, while Relentless Dancer ranged up with a wide bid.  Deshawn Parker and Who Took the Money were just starting to begin their run but were still seventh as the field move past six furlongs in 1:12.00 seconds.

 

As the field moved to the top of the lane, Highland Creek surged to the lead, Venn was moving through some traffic, while Who Took the Money was gaining with a six-wide move.  At the furlong marker Highland Creek was 1-1/2 lengths in front, but stablemate Who Took the Money was moving fastest in the center of the racetrack.  The two Bret Calhoun trainees were well clear of the field in the final yards, with Who Took the Money rushing past for a ½-length victory.  Runner-up Highland Creek was 3-1/2 lengths clear of the third-place finisher Venn.  The final time for the mile was 1:37.90 seconds.

 

Who Took the Money earned $36,000 for the victory, his seventh from 11 career starts.  The winning purse increased his lifetime earnings to $286,677.

 

The 4-year-old gelding was bred in Louisiana by Allied Racing Stable, LLC.  Sired by Street Boss, the chestnut is out of the Speightstown mare Speights’ Colony.

 

Who Took the Money, sent off as the wagering favorite, rewarded backers with a $4.40 win price, $2.60 to place and $2.40 to show.  Highland Creek paid $3.60 to place and $2.60 to show.  Venn, the longest shot on the board at 41-1, paid $7.80 to show.

 

Live racing resumes on Wednesday with a 5:30pm first post.  The Evangeline Downs Thoroughbred season runs on a Wednesday thru Saturday schedule until August 27.

 

TREYS MIDNITE MOON SHINES BRIGHT IN $60,000 EVANGELINE DOWNS CLASSIC

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JOCKEY TIM THORNTON SKIMS RAIL WITH BUNKY RICHARDS RUNNER FOR VICTORY

 

Treys Midnite Moon wins the Evangeline Downs Classic. Coady Photography.

 

OPELOUSAS, LA –A thrilling edition of the Evangeline Downs classic delighted a Saturday night crowd as Tim Thornton guided Snake Racing LLC’s Treys Midnite Moon to victory in the $60,000 feature.

 

Treys Midnite  Moon broke alertly in the one-mile test for older Louisiana-breds.  Settling into a perfect stalking trip, the Corale ‘Bunky’ Richards runner tracked a quartet of runners, while in good striking position.  Grand Luwegee, Pound for Pound, Jax Man and Maga Man lined up four across the track in an opening quarter-mile of 24.04 and a half mile in 47.94.  Treys Midnite Moon continued to save ground throughout and remained in contention as the field went through six furlongs in 1:12.01.

 

Thornton urged Treys Midnite Moon through a narrow opening on the rail inside the furlong marker and finished strongly to outrun Pound for Pound by a half-length.  Mageez ran on from far back to finish third.  The final running time for the mile distance over the fast track was 1:37.12.

 

The win by Treys Midnite Moon was the 14th of his outstanding 44-race career.  The winner’s share of $36,000 pushed his career earnings to $340,585.

 

A 6-year-old gelding, Treys Midnite Moon was bred in Louisiana by David Thomas Rogers.  The dark bay or brown gelding is by Neko Bay, out of the Street Cry (IRE) mare Peace Street.

 

Sent off as the fourth choice at 6-1, Treys Midnite Moon returned $14 to win, $4.80 to place  and $3.80 to show.  Favored Pound for Pound returned $2.40 to place and $2.40 to show.  Longshot Mageez paid $10.40 to show.

 

Evangeline Downs begins the fourth week of live racing on Wednesday at 5:50pm. Racing continues on a Wednesday thru Saturday schedule until the end of the meet on September 18.

 

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.

UNDERPRESSURE RALLIES TO TAKE THE EVANGELINE DOWNS CLASSIC

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HORSE GETS THIRD STAKES WIN IN THE LAST FIVE STARTS

 

UNDERPRESSURE - The Evangeline Downs Classic - 04-27-19 - R08 - EVD - Finish
Underpressure wins the 2019 Evangeline Downs Classic. Coady Photography

Evangeline Downs Classic Stakes
Evangeline Downs, 4-27-19, 8 furlongs
4-Year-Olds and Upwards, $75,000

UNDERPRESSURE
Birdstone–Charming Colleen
Breeder: James McIngvale
Owner: Mallory Greiner
Trainer: Chris Richard
Jockey: Gerard Melancon

Just Stormin
Freud–Crypto Cream
Breeder: Tom Curtis & Wayne Simpson
Owner: Craig Drago
Trainer: Allen Landry
Jockey: Kerwin D. Clark

Mageez
Musket Man–Spaseeba
Breeder: James A. Mcgehee Jr.
Owner: Double Dam Farm LLC
Trainer: Delmar R. Caldwell
Jockey: Roberto Morales

OPELOUSAS, LA – It wasn’t the easiest of victories in the $75,000 Evangeline Downs Classic for Underpressure on Saturday night. He had to survive both a stewards’ inquiry and a rider’s objection for possible interference in deep stretch, but once both claims were disallowed, then the pressure was truly off. The 5-year-old horse had rallied to pass a game pacesetter in Just Stormin and score a victory by 1-1/2 lengths in a final time of 1:38.39 for one mile over the fast track.

Just Stormin was hustled to the lead off the break and maintained that advantage through moderate early fractions of 24.77 seconds for the quarter-mile and 49.40 for the half. Underpressure was languishing in mid-pack until the field entered the far turn and made an aggressive run into contention that had him on even terms with Just Stormin until taking the lead around the eighth pole. Underpressure then moved down toward the rail, causing Just Stormin to steady in deep stretch, but this action was considered inconsequential to the outcome and the result was allowed to stand.

Underpressure was sent off at 4-1 by the betting public and returned $10.40 to win, $5.40 to place and $3.60 to show. Just Stormin paid $10.80 to place and $7 to show, while Mageez returned $4.20 to show.

Underpressure was bred in Louisiana by James McIngvale. He is owned by Mallory Greiner, trained by Chris Richard and was ridden to victory by Gerard Melancon. Underpressure is by 2004 Belmont Stakes winner, Birdstone, and is out of the Charismatic mare, Charming Colleen. He has now won ten of 29 starts in his career and the $45,000 first-place purse increases her lifetime earnings to $550,632.

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 atwww.evdracing.com. Evangeline Downs’ Twitter handle is @EVDRacing and the racetrack is also accessible on Facebook at www.facebook.com/EvangelineDownsRacing.