Photograph: MONAASIB DIGS IN FOR UPSET VICTORY IN THE $60,000 JOHN HENRY STAKES. (Submitted Photograph.)
OPELOUSAS, LA – A crowd bolstered by Family Night activities cheered on as Monaasib pulled off a big upset in the $60,000 John Henry Stakes on Saturday night, one of a pair of stake races on the card. In the co-headliner, Takntothecleaners pulled away with a strong move on the final turn to capture the $60,000 Opelousas Stakes. The stake races were contested over a turf track rated firm for the evening.
Munqad was away quickest in the John Henry Stakes as Fortuity and First Glimpse chased through opening fractions of 23.66 seconds for the first quarter-mile and a half-mile in 48.23 seconds. Monaasib and jockey Carlos Marquez settled into stride in mid-pack, about six lengths off the early pace. As the field moved on the far turn, Fortuity was up to challenge Munqad, as Monaasib and Woods N Water started to commence with their rallies. Turning for home, Monaasib split rivals to engage the leader and moved to the front just outside of the furlong pole.
In the battle to the wire, the Alison Escobar trainee would not be denied as Monaasib dug in to hold on for the victory by a head over Woods N Water. Budro Talking, last in the field early, rallied for third just a half-length back and First Glimpse held on for fourth. The final time for the mile and a sixteenth was 1:43.06. The stake was for 3-year-olds and up.
Monaasib earned $36,000 for the victory, his third straight at Evangeline Downs. The win is his fourth from nine starts and his career bankroll grows to $97,347.
Owned by Tres Portillo Ranch Inc. (Candido Esquivel), the bay horse is a 5-year-old sired by Medaglia d’Oro. Bred in Kentucky, he is out of the Awesome Again mare Baragah.
Monaasib lit up the tote board with a $66 win payout, $22.20 to place and $11.80 to show. Even-money favored Woods N Water returned $2.80 to place and $2.20 to show. Budro Talking paid $3.60 to show.
Takntothecleaners and jockey Tommy Pompell were away sharply from the gate and settled off the early speed as Gather as You Go and Teasin’ Tesla hooked up in early battle in the Opelousas Stakes. The early fractions were quick as the leaders battled through an opening quarter-mile in 23.26 seconds and a half-mile split in 47.10. Takntothecleaners made a bid to challenge the leaders into the far turn as Cheapskate Diva also moved into contention.
As the field turned into the stretch, Takntothecleaners surged to the front as Cheapskate Diva made a wide bid to get into a challenging position. In the run to the wire, Takntothecleaners was able to widen the advantage to a 4-1/2 length margin at the wire. Cheapskate Diva was another 3-1/2 lengths clear of Another Hot Mess in third. The final time for the mile on the turf was 1:35.85 for the 3-year-old and up filly and mare stakes runners.
Trained by Ethan West, Takntothecleaners earned $36,000 for the victory. The win is the sixth from 14 career starts. Her career bankroll is now $184,195.
The 5-year-old mare was bred in Kentucky and is owned by the partnership of Pocket Aces Racing LLC (Mark Wampler and Jarret Shoemaker) and S B Stables LLC (Bobby Sturgeon and Tyler Burke). Sired by Secret Circle, the chestnut is out of the Medaglia d’Oro mare Golden Lady.
Takntothecleaners returned $8.60 to win, $3.60 to place and $3.20 to show. Cheapskate Diva paid $3 to place, $2.40 to show and Another Hot Mess paid $4.40 to show.
Live racing resumes on Thursday with a 5:30pm first post. The Evangeline Downs Thoroughbred season runs on a Thursday through Saturday schedule until August 12.
Evangeline Downs Racetrack Casino and Hotel, a property of Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE:BYD), features live horse racing, exciting casino action, the FanDuel Sportsbook and fun dining experiences. Evangeline Downs is located in Opelousas, Louisiana, off I-49 on Cresswell Lane at Exit 18.
