Populist Politics wins the Louisiana Legends Classic at Evangeline Downs
2013 Louisiana Legends Stakes Results
Date: 07/06/2013
On Saturday, Evangeline Downs hosted the 8th annual Louisiana Legends Night, a series of 8 stakes races for Louisiana-breds. Conditions were excellent at the Opelousas, Louisiana, oval with cloudy skies and temperatures in the 80's.
The highlight race of the night was the $100,000 Louisiana Legends Classic, for older horses going 1 1/16 miles. Heavy On Themister and Populist Politics were each sent off at the shortest odds of 2-1 in the field of 8, over 7-1 third choice Top Cat Boogie. Top Cat Boogie and 25-1 Hit the Road Lee battled for the lead through fractions of 23.79, 46.79, and 1:11.82. Entering the lane, both tired badly as Populist Politics, 8th early, took over at the 3/16 pole, opening up a 1 1/2 length lead midstretch and then held off late-running 8-1 Hud's Rebellion in 1:47.83 over the fast main track. It was another neck back to 31-1 Arkansas Martini third.
Full results chart
Left: Populist Politics in the winner's circle and post parade. Jockey Gerard Melancon said, "I was confident that (trainer Tom Amoss) would have him ready. This race was perfectly set up for me. Heavy On Themister got out in front at the 1/4 pole, but after that, I went by him easily, and it was right there that I thought we were home free."
Right: Second place finisher Hud's Rebellion in the post parade.
Little Ms Protocol wins the Louisiana Legends Distaff at Evangeline Downs
Immediately before the Classic, a field of 6 older fillies and mares contested the $100,000 Louisiana Legends Distaff at 1 mile 70 yards. 9-1 Aubrey's Walk and 3-1 Ladyzarbridge dueled for the lead through fractions of 23.63, 49.04, and 1:13.00, before 4-5 favorite Little Ms Protocol, who had stalked them third early, ran by to win by 2 1/4 lengths over late-running 39-1 longest shot Sweettalkin Hottie in 1:42.46. It was another length back to 10-1 Shezacrazylilsis third.
String King wins the Louisiana Legends Turf Stakes
A field of 8 older horses contested the $100,000 Louisiana Legends Turf Stakes at about 1 1 1/16 miles on the turf. 28-1 Skipberry Wine set the pace early while stalked by 11-10 favorite String King. On the far turn, Skipberry Wine tired allowing String King to inherit the lead, and he drew off to win by 3 3/4 lengths over late-running 3-1 Sadie's Soldier in 1:42.18 over the firm course. It was another 3 lengths back to 7-2 Look At The Time third.
The $100,000 Louisiana Legends Sprint featured a field of 9 older horses sprinting 5 1/2 furlongs on the main track. 9-10 favorite Southern Dude battled for the lead with 6-1 Su Casa G Casa through a quarter in 22.91 and a half in 45.45. At the top of the lane the favorite tired and dropped to last as 9-2 Easy Jazz gained the lead at the 1/8 pole. 9-1 Unitas, 6th early, rallied to win by 1/2 a length in 1:03.68. It was another 1/2 length from Easy Jazz to 34-1 Strong and Tough third.
Sunbean wins the Louisiana Legends Colts and Geldings Mile
The $100,000 Louisiana Legends Colts and Geldings Mile at 1 mile on the main track featured a field of 10. 4-1 Skip the Pinot set the pace of 23.27, 46.48, and 1:10.47 over the fast track while pressed by 7-2 Lattin Devil. At the 3/16 pole 6-5 favorite Sunbean, 4th early, ran by them and drew away to win by 5 3/4 lengths in 1:35.75. It was a length back from Skip the Pinot to Lattin Devil third.
Winning trainer Ron Faucheux said, "I think (Sunbean) has definitely established himself as the top three-year-old horse in this state. We just have to keep it going." Jockey Corey Lanerie added, "I didn't know what to expect, but (Sunbean) broke smoothly, and we had a trouble-free ride."
U Sittin At the Bar wins the Louisiana Legends Ladies Sprint Stakes
A field of 8 older fillies and mares contested the $100,000 Louisiana Legends Ladies Sprint at 5 1/2 furlongs. 2-1 second choice Wire Me Bessie set the pace of 22.57 and 45.18 while pressed by 43-1 Little Ms Veta and 78-1 Wild Whirly Bird. 6-5 favorite Sittin At the Bar, 7th early, came through 4 wide to win going away by 4 lengths over Wire Me Bessie in 1:03.52. It was another 2 1/4 lengths back to 18-1 U Belong To Me third.
Well's Gold wins the Louisiana Legends Starter Stakes
The $75,000 Louisiana Legends Starter Stakes featured 12 older horses sprinting 7 1/2 furlongs on the turf. 12-1 Midway Mine set the pace of 24.44 and 47.54 while pressed by 4-1 Well's Gold. Entering the lane, Well's Gold took over as Midway Mine tired, getting 3/4 in 1:11.62. 9-10 favorite No Rules Now put in a strong rally but Well's Gold cruised past the post 3 1/4 lengths in front in 1:29.33. It was a length back to 50-1 Tupelo Playboy third.
Mischievous Mama wins the Louisiana Legends Fillies Mile Stakes
The $100,000 Louisiana Legends Fillies Mile Stakes featured a field of 10 3-year-old fillies. 7-2 second choice Mischievous Mama sprinted clear of the field and set fractions of 22.86, 46.23, and 1:11.38 while as many as 10 lengths ahead of the rest of the field. Entering the stretch, 7-5 favorite Ante Up Annie closed the gap to 5 lengths but it was too late, as Mischievous Mama finished up 8 lengths ahead of 32-1 Tujuacagofast in 1:37.01. It was a neck back to Ante Up Annie third.
