NOLA QUEEN GETS CROWNED IN $100,000 ‘SHINE’ YOUNG FUTURITY
JOCKEY TIM THORNTON HAS THREE-WIN NIGHT INCLUDING STAKE
Rob Tuel, Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino
(Photos: Hodges Photography)
OPELOUSAS, LA –Nola Queen produced a good stretch kick to rally for a win in the $100,000 D. S. ‘Shine’ Young Futurity at Evangeline Downs Friday night. The race for Louisiana-bred 2-year-old fillies was raced at the distance of 5-1/2 furlongs over a fast track.
Last Two Dollars, Copper Key and Korner Stomp were away sharpest in the ‘Shine’ Young, while Nola Queen and jockey Tim Thornton were off just a beat slow from their rail post position. Copper Key and Korner Stomp battled through the opening quarter-mile in 22.48 seconds, while Passion Strike and Nola Queen tracked the leaders through the turn.
Turning for home after a half-mile in 46.61 seconds, Copper Key wrestled the lead away from Korner Stomp as Passion Strike and Nola Queen moved into contention. Nola Queen and Thornton tipped off the rail nearing the furlong pole to make a bid to come after Copper Key and collared the leader just inside the sixteenth pole. Nola Queen started to edge clear in the final yards and hit the wire clear by a length over Copper Key. Passion Strike was another length back in third. The winner stopped the clock in a time of 1:06.43.
Owned by Valene Farms LLC (Murray Valene) and trained by Sturges Ducoing, Nola Queen is a winner for the second time from three starts. She earns $60,000 in the victory and her earnings jump to $92,000.
Bred by Keifer Rengifo, Nola Queen is a dark bay or brown filly sired by Imperial Hint. She is out of the Tale of the Cat mare Queen of the Catsle.
Nola Queen, sent off as the favorite, returned $5.20 to win, $3 to place and $2.40 to show. Copper Key paid $4 and $3.20, with Passion Strike paying $2.20.
Live racing resumes on Saturday with a 5:30pm first post. The colts and geldings division of the ‘Shine’ Young Futurity highlights the card. The Evangeline Downs Thoroughbred season runs until September 7.
