HIGHLY WICKED DOMINATES AGAIN IN THE $75,000 BON TEMP STAKES

OPELOUSAS, LA –Highly Wicked kept her local turf record spotless with another dazzling display in the $75,000 Bon Temps Stakes at Evangeline Downs on Friday night.  The race for Louisiana-bred fillies and mares 3-year-olds and upward was contested over a turf track listed as firm at the distance of one mile.  

Tommie G and Kalil both broke sharply in the Bon Temps and were joined by Precious Money in the run past the stands the first time, while jockey Tim Thornton and Highly Wicked settled nicely off the pace into the clubhouse turn.  The early tempo was mild as Tommie G stepped out to lead through a quarter-mile split in 24.59 and a half-mile in 50.30 seconds.  With the moderate pace, the field bunched up down the backside and Highly Wicked was shuffled back to next to last.

As the field moved through the far turn Tommie G was confronted by Kalil and Precious Money, Nodah looked to circle the field and Highly Wicked awaited clear running room in fifth position.  Turning for home Thornton found a seam and tipped Highly Wicked out into the center of the track and it was all over but the shouting as she quickly engulfed the leaders and began to step away.  Highly Wicked crossed the wire a widening five-length winner, with Kalil holding second a half-length better than Precious Money in third.  The winner finished the mile in a time of 1:39.07.

The Sam David, Jr. trainee wins for the 12th time in 24 career starts and has now won in seven of her eight starts locally, including all six on the turf.  She earned $45,000 in the victory and her career bankroll now stands at $528,700.

Owned and bred by the team of Earl Hernandez, Keith Hernandez and John Duvielh, Highly Wicked is a 6-year-old-chestnut mare sired by Wicked Strong.  She is out of the Rahy mare Highly Confused.

The heavy 2/5 favorite returned $2.80 to win, $2.10 to place and $2.10 to show.  Kalil paid $4 and $3.20, with Precious Money returning $10.