PERRY COUNTY RUNS AWAY IN THE $100,000 EVANGELINE MILE
TEAM MAGNON AND TIZ MARY’S COMET STRIKE IN THE LAFAYETTE
OPELOUSAS, LA – Perry County broke on top and never looked back in a strong performance to take the $100,000 Evangeline Mile on Saturday night. The co-feature on the card saw Tiz Mary’s Comet pull away to win the $60,000 Lafayette Stakes. The races were contested over a track listed as sloppy as rains persisted throughout the evening.
Jockey Tim Thornton and Perry County made their intensions clear with a sharp start and a quick turn of foot to gain the advantage into the clubhouse turn. Great Escape, Feelthebeat and Brite Outlook chased in vain as Perry County opened up a three-length margin through early splits of 23.12 for an opening quarter-mile and 46.72 for the half-mile time.
Moving through the turn Mr McGregor made a brief bid to put some mild pressure on Perry County, but that was quickly repelled as Thornton asked his charge to put this one away. Covering six furlongs in 1:12.03, Perry County stayed close to the rail and zipped away to lead by five lengths with a furlong to go. Zambezi and The Donegal Clan passed rivals to get in to the minor awards but were no threat to the winner. The final winning margin was a decisive six lengths, with Zambezi 1-1/4 lengths ahead of The Donegal Clan. The final time over the sloppy going was 1:38.59 for the race for 4-year-olds and up.
Owned and trained by Veronica Litfin, Perry County is a winner for the fourth time in 19 career starts. He earns $60,000 in his front-running score and increases his career earnings to $227,405.
Bred in Kentucky by Shortleaf Stable, Perry County is a 4-year-old bay colt sired by Collected. He is out of the Street Boss mare Tyrannical.
Perry County was bet down late to be the 6/5 favorite and paid $4.40 to win, $2.60 to place and $2.20 to show. Zambezi returned $3 and $2.20 with The Donegal Clan paying $3.40.
Tiz Mary’s Comet battled for the lead and pulled away late to capture the $60,000 Lafayette Stakes. The race for 3-year-olds was contested over the distance of six furlongs. The win was the second stakes victory of the weekend for the team of trainer Rylee Magnon and jockey Devin Magnon.
Mr Mo Money and Tiz Mary’s Comet were away sharply and were quickly joined by Skenes Crews as the field for the Lafayette rushed down the backside. The opening quarter-mile was covered in a time of 22.52 seconds. Moving into the turn, Mr Mo Money opened a length advantage over Tiz Mary’s Comet, as Range Goat produced a three-wide bid to get into contention through a half-mile in 46.04 seconds.
Turning for home Tiz Mary’s Comet surged forward to confront Mr Mo Money as Range Goat drifted wide. Inside the final furlong Tiz Mary’s Comet powered clear and pulled away for a 2-1/2 length victory over Mr Mo Money. It was another length back to Range Goat in third. The winning time was 1:11.60.
Tiz Mary’s Comet is owned by Michael Rotstein and Olof, LLC. He is a winner for the second time in four career starts and earns $36,000 for the effort. His bankroll increases to $86,900.
Bred in Louisiana by Norman Stables, LLC, Tiz Mary’s Comet is a chestnut gelding sired by Good Samaritan. He is out of the Tiz the One mare Suzie’s Dream.
Tiz Mary’s Comet returned $3 to win as the overwhelming favorite, $2.20 to place and $2.10 to show. Mr Mo Money paid $4.80 and $3.60, with Range Goat paying $8.40 to show.
The Saturday card also included the first of four stake races for Alabama-bred runners to be held this season. Unaffiliated won a thrilling stretch battle with Can See Da Feet to take the $50,000 Buggin Out Stakes. Winning for the first time in his 31st career start, the 7-year-old gelding is trained by Aubrie Suarez and was ridden by Joel Dominguez. He is owned by his breeders Laurie Sanderson and Nanette Cartier.
Live racing resumes on Wednesday with a 5:30pm first post. The Evangeline Downs Thoroughbred season runs until September 7.
For more information on Evangeline Downs visit the track’s website at https://evangelinedowns.boydgaming.com/racing.
Evangeline Downs information can also be found on Twitter @EVDracing and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/EvangelineDownsRacing.
About Evangeline Downs Racetrack& Casino
Encompassing over 750 acres, Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino, a property of Boyd Gaming Corporation, features over 39,000 square feet of casino space as well a racetrack that boasts state-of-the-art facilities with a 7/8-mile turf track and a one mile main track. The casino includes over 1,000 slot and video poker machines, two dining options, and plenty of meeting space including track-side private club suites. Evangeline Downs also includes a newly opened FanDuel Sportsbook. For more information, visit www.evangelinedowns.com and connect on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Founded in 1975, Boyd Gaming Corporation is a leading geographically diversified operator of 28 gaming entertainment properties in 10 states, and manager of a tribal casino in northern California. The Company is also a strategic partner and 5% equity owner of FanDuel Group, the nation’s leading sports-betting operator.
