HIGHLY WICKED DOES IT AGAIN IN $100,000 FIRST LADY OF LOUISIANA SHARON LANDRY STAKES
OPELOUSAS, LA –Evangeline Downs continued the celebration of 60 years of racing in the Acadiana region with four stake races for Louisiana-bred runners on a special Monday card, highlighted by another turf victory by Highly Wicked in the $100,000 First Lady of Louisiaana Sharon Landry Stakes. The card included two $100,000 Louisiana Stallion Stakes sponsored by Coteau Grove Farm and the $100,00 Au Revoir. The afternoon also included a reunion of numerous legendary Cajun jockeys. The races were contested over tracks rated sloppy and firm.
Marcelino Pedroza, Jr. crossed the finish line aboard Highly Wicked at Evangeline Downs on Monday evening, winning the First Lady of Louisiana Sharon Landry Stakes. Hodges Photography / Kimmy Burrow
Highly Wicked had to show all of her class to capture the $100,000 First Lady of Louisiana Sharon Landry Stakes. The race for fillies and mares 3-years-old and upward was contested over the turf at one mile.
Diva Beach broke quickly to take command of the First Lady Landry, while jockey Marcelino Pedroza, Jr. and Highly Wicked were away in good order and settled in just behind the leader. The opening fractions were steady as the field covered an opening quarter-mile in 23.83 seconds and a half-mile split in 47.95.
As the field moved into the far turn Diva Beach was holding on to a two-length advantage over Highly Wicked, with Moonie Pie trying to get motivated and Becky’sgottahaveit starting to get underway from the back of the pack. Turning for home after six furlongs in 1:12.29, Diva Beach battled on but Highly Wicked found her best stride inside the furlong pole and surged to the lead. Becky’sgottahaveit was rolling through the field in the final 100 yards but ran out of time as the turf queen prevailed by three-quarters of a length. Diva Beach held on for third another length back. The final time for the mile on the turf was 1:37.19.
Highly Wicked, a Sam David, Jr. trainee, remains undefeated on the Evangeline Downs turf course with her eighth victory over the course. She wins for 14th time in her 26 career starts and added $60,000 to her bankroll, which now stands at $299,075.
The 6-year-old chestnut mare was bred in Louisiana by the ownership group of Earl Hernandez, Keith Hernandez and John Duvieilh. She was sired by Wicked Strong and is out of the Rahy mare Highly Confused.
Highly Wicked paid $4.60 to win as the slight favorite over stablemate Moonie Pie, $3.20 to place and $2.40 to show. Longshot Becky’sgottahaveit paid $21 and $12.40, with Diva Beach paying $5.60.
Isaac Castillo crossed the finish line aboard Bond Temps Roule at Evangeline Downs on Monday afternoon, winning the Au Revoir Stakes. Kimmy Burrow / Hodges Photography
Bons Temps Roule rallied strongly in the stretch with jockey Isaac Castillo to capture the $100,000 Au Revoir. The race for 3-year-olds and upward was contested over the turf at the distance of one mile.
Trained by Juan Larrosa and owned by Bankroll Racing Stables LLC (Jason Guidry and Juan Larrosa), Bons Temps Roule is a winner for the fifth time in 20 career starts. She earned $60,000 in his first stake win and his career earnings jump to $187,660.
Bons Temps Roule was bred by the team of Raintree Farm Racing, LLC, Jerry Henery and Roy Bourgeois, Jr. He is a 5-year-old dark bay or brown gelding sired by Clearly Now and is out of the Super Saver mare Supreme Bean.
Bons Temps Roule returned $19.20 to win, $10 to place and $4.80 to show. Star Rock Star paid $10 and $6.20 and Boss of All Bosses paid $4.60.
Timothy Thornton crossed the finish line aboard Six String at Evangeline Downs on Monday evening, winning the Louisiana Stallion Stakes. Mike Burrow / Hodges Photography
Six String ($4) dug in gamely under jockey Tim Thornton to fend off Secret Faith in the filly and mare division of the $100,000 Louisiana Stallion Stakes presented by Coteau Grove Farms. The race for 3-year-olds and upward is restricted to runners sired by a Louisiana stallion and covered six furlongs.
Trained by Allen Landry, Six String is a winner for the 13th time in her 29 career starts and wins her second stake race of the season. She picked up $60,000 in the victory and her career earnings are now $682,910.
Bred and owned by the partnership of World War IV Racing (Warren Mcfatter and John Christmann) and Rebel Tide Racing, LLC (David Walker and Randy Cimorelli), Six String is a 5-year-old chestnut mare sired by Star Guitar. She is out of the Harlan’s Holiday mare Oh Whata Holiday.
C.J. McMahon crossed the finish line aboard ACchromedoutcat at Evangeline Downs on Monday Evening, winning the Louisiana Stallion Stakes. Lou Hodges Jr. / Hodges Photography
Achromedoutcat ($24.20) won a thrilling stretch battle with He’s Just Lucky by a head in the $100,000 Louisiana Stallion Stakes. The race for 3-year-olds and upward was raced at the distance of six furlongs.
Ridden by C.J. McMahon and trained by Randy Degeyter, Jr., Achromedoutcat wins his second stake of the season in the sixth victory from 20 career starts. He earned $60,000 for the performance and his career bankroll now stands at $212,900.
Owned by Darrin Dares, Achormedoutcat is a 5-year-old chestnut gelding sired by Peppered Cat. He is out of the Bodemeister mare Lilly Reich and was bred by Perry Martin and Denise Martin.
Live racing resumes with the start of the final week of the Thoroughbred season on Friday with a 5:30pm first post. The final weekend features racing Friday, Saturday and closing day on Labor Day, September 7. The Labor Day card will start at 3:45pm.
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.