FINAL STRIDES TO WIN THE $70,000 D.S. ‘SHINE’ YOUNG FUTURITY - HE’S LATE AGAIN ARRIVES ON TIME IN THE LOUISIANA STALLION STAKES
OPELOUSAS, LA –Evangeline Downs carded a pair of stake races for Louisiana-bred colts and geldings on Saturday. Mor Force rallied to capture the $70,000 D.S. ‘Shine’ Young Futurity and He’s Late Again made it three stake wins on the season with a victory in the $75,000 Louisiana Stallion Stakes presented by Coteau Grove Farms. The races were contested over a track rated fast for the evening.
Mor Force rallied after dropping back on the turn and was up in the final strides to take the $70,000 D.S. “Shine” Young Futurity for 2-year-olds. The race was contested over the distance of 5-1/2 furlongs.
Mor Force and jockey Floyd Wethey, Jr. broke alertly and were part of the early pace with Golden Mane and Mr Mo Money. After an opening quarter-mile in 23.11 seconds, Golden Mane and Mr Mo Money raced forward to duel on the lead with Reaux Ban da Man and Seizethedaydude moving into contention, while Mor Force slid back to fifth midway on the turn.
Mr Mo Money stayed tight to the rail and held a slim advantage coming off the turn, while Seizethedaydude made a bid four-wide and Mor Force rallied back into contention. Inside the final 100 yards, Mr Mo Money was digging in on the rail to hold the advantage over Seizethedaydude with Mor Force looking to split rivals. Mor Force was able to collar Mr Mo Money just yards from the wire to win by a head, with Seizethedaydude a half-length back in third. The winner finished the 5-1/2 furlong distance in a time of 1:06.66.
Owned by Norman Stables, LLC (Robert Norman) and trained by Jayde Gelner, Mor Force wins for the second time in three career starts. He earned $42,000 in the victory and boosts his earnings to $91,560.
Bred by the partnership of Adcock’s Red River Farm, LLC & Hume Wornall, Mor Force is a dark bay or brown colt sired by Mor Spirit. He is out of the More Than Ready mare Ready Witted.
Mor Force paid $4.20 to win, $2.80 to place and $2.60 to show. Mr Mo Money returned $8.20 and $4.80, with Seizethedaydude paying $3.60.
He’s Late Again showed his tenacity rallying for the victory in the $75,000 Louisiana Stallion Stakes presented by Coteau Grove Farms. The race for 3-year-olds was contested over the distance of seven furlongs.
Away a beat slowly with jockey Jansen Melancon, He’s Late Again quickly found his footing to join the battle early with Majority Opinion, Star Rock Star and Ampitup. As the field moved down the backstretch, Majority Opinion established the lead through an opening fraction of 23.04 seconds for a quarter-mile, with Star Rock Star and He’s Late Again hounding the leader. He’s Late Again surged forward to take the lead midway on the turn as Majority Opinion bowed out, with Hard Line and Game Port commencing bids from the tail of the field.
Turning for home after a half-mile split in 46.25 seconds, He’s Late Again Held a narrow advantage as Hard Line made a bold bid along the rail and Game Port rallied wide. In the final furlong Hard Line edged forward to gain the lead, but He’s Late Again would not be denied and surged forward in the final jumps to win by a neck, with Game Port another 1-1/2 lengths back in third. The winner covered the seven furlongs in a time of 1:24.99.
Trained by Allen Landry and owned by Larry Romero, He’s Late Again is a winner for the fifth time in seven career starts. The $45,000 winning share increases his career bankroll to $225,200.
Bred by the partnership of Nathan Granger, Shannon Luquette, Chris Hebert and Brody Trahan, He’s Late Again is a dark bay or brown gelding sired by Aurelius Maximus. He is out of the Stephen Got Even mare Pixie Devil.
He’s Late Again returned $3 to win as the heavy favorite, $2.20 to place and $2.10 to show. Hard Line paid $7.60 and $3.80, with Game Port returning $3.
