GANGSTER FLASH SHOWS GUTS IN THE $70,000 D.S. ‘SHINE’ YOUNG FUTURITY — SECRET FAITH DAZZLES IN THE LOUISIANA STALLION STAKES

(Photos: Hodges Photography)

OPELOUSAS, LA –The Friday night card at Evangeline Downs featured a pair of stake races for Louisiana-bred fillies.  Gangster Flash showed tenacity and survived an objection and inquiry to win the $70,000 D.S. ‘Shine’ Young Futurity for 2-year-olds, and Secret Faith dominated in the $75,000 Louisiana Stallion Stakes presented by Coteau Grove Farms.  The races were contested over a track rated fast on a warm evening. 

Gangster Flash battled from the opening bell and dug in to win the $70,000 D.S. “Shine” Young Futurity.  The race for 2-year-old fillies was raced over the distance of 5-1/2 furlongs.

Gangster Flash and Jansen Melancon were off just a beat slow but rushed into the early action to join Fly Strong and High Class Trip for the lead. As the field raced into the turn through an opening split of 21.88 seconds, Gangster Flash had secured a rail position just ahead of Fly Strong, with Liteupthenite and El Sunshine starting to move forward on the turn.  

Turning for home, Gangster Flash was in a heated battle with Fly Strong between rivals and El Sunshine to their outside.  Inside the final furlong Gangster Flash and El Sunshine squared off and brushed just before the wire, with Gangster Flash a neck ahead.  It was 2-3/4 lengths back to Liteupthenite rallying for third.  The rider of El Sunshine, Tim Thornton, lodged an objection and the stewards also conducted a lengthy inquiry review before letting the results stand.  The winner stopped the clock in a time of 1:05.86.  

Owned by Alfred Romito and trained by Jason Faul, Gangster Flash has won both of her career starts.  With the winning share of $42,000, her earnings now stand at $62,400.

Gangster Flash is a chestnut sired by Instagrand and is out of the Henny Hughes mare One Look.  She was bred by Thomas Early.   

Gangster Flash returned $21.60 to win, $11.20 to place and $4.80 to show.  El Sunshine returned $7 and $4.20, with Liteupthenite paying $2.20.

Secret Faith got back to her winning ways easily capturing the filly division of the $75,000 Louisiana Stallion Stakes presented by Coteau Grove Farms.  The race for 3-year-old fillies was contested over the distance of seven furlongs.

Jockey C.J. McMahon and Secret Faith were away alertly and settled into stride quickly in the opening furlong.  The field was well bunched early as Lola and Rose and She’s Magnificent tried to apply some early pressure.  It was quickly apparent that this was going to be another tour de force from Secret Faith.  She opened a length lead after the opening quarter-mile in 22.63 seconds and began to edge clear heading into the far turn.

Through a half in a quick 45.42 and six furlongs in 1:10.18, it was just a question of how many lengths Secret Faith would win by.  Meanwhile, there was a good battle for the minors between It’s Been Real, Lola and Rose and She’s Magnificent.  Completing the seven furlongs in a sharp 1:23.49, Secret Faith’s winning margin was a whopping 14-3/4 lengths.  It’s Been Real was up for second, a length better than Lola and Rose.

Trained by Jayde Gelner and owned by Norman Stables, LLC (Robert Norman), Secret Faith wins for the eighth time from 10 career starts.  She was the winner of the Shine Young Futurity in 2024. With the $45,000 winning purse, her career earnings now stand at $476,022.

Bred by J. Adcock and Hume Wornall, Secret Faith is a grey/roan filly sired by Aurelius Maximus.  She is out of the Macho Uno mare St. Jean.

Secret Faith, the overwhelming 1/9 favorite, paid $2.10 to win, $2.10 to place and $2.10 to show.  It’s Been Real returned $8 and $3.80, with Lola and Rose paying $2.40.  There was over $39,000 in the show pool on Secret Faith.

Live racing resumes Saturday with a 10-race card featuring the $70,000 D.S. ‘Shine’ Young Futurity colts and geldings division for 2-year-olds and the $75,000Louisiana Stallion Stakes for 3-year-olds as the co-headliners on the card.  First post is a special early start at 4:55pm.

For more information on Evangeline Downs, including a full stakes schedule, visit the track’s website at https://evangelinedowns.boydgaming.com/racing.  

Evangeline Downs information can also be found on Twitter @EVDracing and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/EvangelineDownsRacing.  

The racing calendar for the remainder of the 2025 season features racing Thursday through Saturday until the end of the meet on Labor Day, September 1. 

About Evangeline Downs Racetrack& Casino

Encompassing over 750 acres, Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino, a property of Boyd Gaming Corporation, features over 39,000 square feet of casino space as well a racetrack that boasts state-of-the-art facilities with a 7/8-mile turf track and a one mile main track. The casino includes over 1,000 slot and video poker machines, two dining options, and plenty of meeting space including track-side private club suites. Evangeline Downs also includes a newly opened FanDuel Sportsbook. For more information, visit www.evangelinedowns.com and connect on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. 

Founded in 1975, Boyd Gaming Corporation is a leading geographically diversified operator of 28 gaming entertainment properties in 10 states, and manager of a tribal casino in northern California. The Company is also a strategic partner and 5% equity owner of FanDuel Group, the nation's leading sports-betting operator.