GOLFITO DRIVES PAST THEM LATE IN $100,000 ‘SHINE’ YOUNG FUTURITY
JOCKEY ALEXANDER CASTILLO BOOTS HOME THE STAKE WINNER
Rob Tuel, Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino
(Photos: Hodges Photography)
OPELOUSAS, LA –Golfito produced a late stretch kick to capture the $100,000 D. S. ‘Shine’ Young Futurity at Evangeline Downs Saturday night. The race for Louisiana-bred 2-year-old colts and geldings was raced at the distance of 5-1/2 furlongs over a fast track.
Star of Bethlehem was away sharply to get to the front in the ‘Shine’ Young Futurity, with Army Running Bayou and Max Attack also away in good order, while Golfito and jockey Alexander Castillo were off just a beat slow at the back of the pack. Star of Bethlehem opened up a lead of a length as the field covered the opening quarter-mile in 22.39 seconds, with Army Running Bayou and Max Attack on the chase. Favored Hes Steelin Mylady was in tight quarters early, with Golfito moving to the outside to get a clear path into the turn.
Star of Bethlehem maintained the length advantage as the field turned for home, as numerous challengers lined up across the track. Star of Bethlehem dug in gamely to still hold a half-length advantage with a furlong to go, with Army Running Bayou and Max Attack chasing, Hes Steelin Mylady looking for a rail run and Golfito charging forward in the middle of the track. In the final 50 yards Golfito was able to collar a stubborn Star of Bethlehem and wear that rival down, posting a half-length victory. Star of Bethlehem was 1-1/4 lengths clear of Hes Steelin Mylady and Army Running Bayou another 1-1/2 lengths back in fourth. The rider of Army Running Bayou, C.J. McMahon, claimed a foul against the top two finishers for interference in the run to the wire but it was disallowed.
The winner stopped the clock in a time of 1:06.27.
Golfito is trained by Jorge Lara. He has won both of his career starts and earned $60,000 in the Futurity victory. He increases his earnings to $84,000.
Owned and bred by Terrell Jarrett, Jr., Golfito is a bay colt sired by Carpe Diem. He is out of the Sharp Humor mare Lady Margots Humor.
Golfito returned $11.40 to win, $6 to place and $2.60 to show. Star of Bethlehem paid $10.80 and $4, with 3/5 favorite Hes Steelin Mylady paying $2.10 to show.
