Louisiana Jess (Vekoma) ran to the odds and picked up not only his first stakes win but also became Vekoma's first black-type winner Saturday night at Evangeline Downs.
One of five runners to come into this state-bred restricted D. S. Shine Young Futurity off a victory–his being June 14 at Churchill Downs in an auction price-restricted maiden special–the Bret Calhoun-trainee was the heavy 1-5 favorite by the time the gates opened and he did not disappoint his backers.
Pressing the issue and three wide around the turn as Big Rasee (Clearly Now) tried to maintain his advantage, Louisiana Jess proved too much for them as he increased his advantage soon after taking command. He sailed in with five lengths to spare over 86-1 longshot Yorktown Panther (Yorkton), who picked up the runner-up spot over Big Rasee.
The victor is his dam's first offspring to collect black-type and her second winner to the races. Miss Jazebel has since produced a yearling colt by Imperial Hint as well as a 2024 colt by Mo Donegal. Click for the Equibase.com chart or VIDEO, sponsored by FanDuel TV.
D. S. SHINE YOUNG FUTURITY, $70,000, Evangeline Downs, 8-3, (S), 2yo, c/g, 5 1/2f, 1:05.67, ft.
1–LOUISIANA JESS, 118, c, 2, Vekoma–Miss Jazebel, by Tale of the Cat. ($50,000 Ylg '23 FTKJUL). 1ST BLACK TYPE WIN. O-Mansfield Racing; B-Clear Creek Stud LLC & Warren J. Harang (LA); T-W. Bret Calhoun; J-Brian Joseph Hernandez, Jr.. $42,000. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $82,320.
2–Yorktown Panther, 116, c, 2, Yorkton–Calico, by Arch. ($3,500 Ylg '23 BSLY&M). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Blanchard F. Iles; B-J. Adcock & Lon Baronne (LA); T-Eduardo Ramirez. $13,300.
3–Big Rasee, 118, c, 2, Clearly Now–Pi, by Flatter. ($20,000 Ylg '23 BSLY&M). 1ST BLACK TYPE. O-Brad Raney; B-Maggie Camejo (LA); T-Karl Broberg. $7,000.
Margins: 5, 1, 3. Odds: 0.20, 86.00, 9.40.
Also Ran: Hawija, Regal Temple, Distinctly Golden, Lone Warrior, Beach Trippin, Maybe Eye'll Call. Scratched: Tdz Hint of Power.
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