HIGHLY WICKED DIGS DOWN DEEP TO REPEAT IN $60,000 OPELOUSAS STAKES

REMAINS PERFECT ON THE EVANGELINE TURF COURSE

OPELOUSAS, LA – Highly Wicked had to call on all of her class as she surged forward late to take the $60,000 Opelousas Stakes.  The race for fillies and mares 3-years old and upward was contested at the one mile distance over a turf course rated firm.

Berlaine, winner of the Spotted Horse earlier in the season, broke sharply to take the early lead in the Opelousas Stakes with Peak Earnings and Brisa Veloz in close attendance.  Marcelino Pedroza, Jr. and Highly Wicked settled in towards the back of the pack through an opening quarter-mile in 23.21 seconds and a half-mile split in 47.86.

Moving into the far turn, Berlaine held the advantage over Peak Earnings by a length, while Highly Wicked remained in the clear to start inching forward and Lassie My Girl saving ground.  Peak Earnings wrestled the lead away from Berlaine after six furlongs in 1:12.43, with Highly Wicked being urged to engage with the leaders, and Lassie My Girl making a bold challenge nearest the rail.

It took most of the stretch to get fully cranked up, but Highly Wicked found her best strides late and powered past Lassie My Girl and Peak Earnings in the final yards to win by three-quarters of a length.  Lassie My Girl was game in defeat and Peak Earnings was another three-quarters of a length back in third.  The final time for the mile was 1:38.32.

Owned by the team of Earl Hernandez, Keith Hernandez and John Duvieilh and trained by Sam David, Jr., Highly Wicked picked up her 13th victory from 25 career starts, and has won all seven of her trips over the local turf.  She earned $36,000 in the win and increases her career bankroll to $564,700.

Highly Wicked was bred in Louisiana by the owners and is a 6-year-old chestnut mare sired by Wicked Strong.  She is out of the Rahy mare Highly Confused.

Highly Wicked, off as the prohibitive 1/9 favorite and with over $20,000 in a bridge jumper show pool, returned $2.20 to win, $2.10 to place and $2.10 to show.  Lassie My Girl paid $4.20 and $6.80, with Peak Earnings paying $13.80.

Live racing resumes on Saturday with a 5:30pm first post.  The featured event on the nine-race card is the $60,000 John Henry Stakes at a mile and a sixteenth on the turf.  The Evangeline Downs Thoroughbred season runs until September 7.

For more information on Evangeline Downs 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.   

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 machines, two dining options, and plenty of meeting space including track-side private club suites. Evangeline Downs also includes a sportsbook in the Center Bar. 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.