Photograph: A G’s Charlotte (Photograph courtesy of Evangeline Downs – Opelousas, LA)
OPELOUSAS, LA –The 2023 Evangeline Downs Thoroughbred season kicked off with a pair of stake races Friday night. A G’s Charlotte picked up a stylish looking victory in the Spotted Horse, while Taylors Tap rallied in the final yards to capture the Acadiana. The opening night card was contested over a track listed as muddy after substantial overnight rains.
A G’s Charlotte, owned by Thomas Galvin, broke alertly from her inside post position and was quickly in front as the field entered the first turn. Sassy Beast was her closest pursuer in the early stages, with Another Hot Mess saving ground along the rail in third. Jockey C.J. McMahon had A G’s Charlotte traveling comfortably through an opening quarter-mile in 24.35 seconds and a half-mile in 48.61. As the field entered the far turn, the Patricia West trainee was a half-length in front of Sassy Beast, with Majestic Ways splitting rivals to move into contention alongside Another Hot Mess.
Through six furlongs in 1:13.49, A G’s Charlotte, still traveling smoothly, continued to fend off a stubborn Sassy Beast, as the pair kicked clear of the rest. Inside the final furlong A G’s Charlotte spurted clear with a burst to finish 4-1/4 lengths clear of Sassy Beast. It was another 2-1/2 lengths back to Another Hot Mess in third. The final running time for the mile distance for the 3-year-old and upward fillies and mares was 1:39.10.
A G’s Charlotte earned $36,000 in capturing her sixth victory from 16 career starts. Her career bankroll now stands at $263,160.
The winner is a 4-year-old bred in Louisiana by the owner. The dark bay or brown filly was sired by Mo Tom and is out of the Indygo Shiner mare Adrianne G.
A G’s Charlotte returned $4.80 to win as the wagering favorite, $2.80 to place and $2.20 to show. Sassy Beast paid $6.40 to place, $3.60 to show and Another Hot Mess paid $2.60 to show.
Taylors Tap and jockey Lane Luzzi needed every yard of the Evangeline Downs stretch to capture the $60,000 Acadiana by a head over Lady Dreamer. The stakes for 3-year-old fillies was contested over the distance of six furlongs.
The previously undefeated Kyle Beauty showed her customary early speed setting the early fractions of 22.45 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 46.64 seconds for the first four furlongs. Gracie Diamond and Throwback were in early contention while Taylors Tap lingered at the tail of the field.
As the leaders made their way to the top of the lane, Lady Diamond was commencing a rally inside of rivals, while Taylors Tap was taking the overland route. Lady Dreamer forged to the lead inside the final sixteenth, but the Jayde Gelner trained Taylors Tap was able to collar that rival in the final strides. Blame Day made a belated rally to just grab third from Kyle Beauty. The winner stopped the clock in a time of 1:12.71 seconds.
Owned by the team of Mark Norman and Norman Stables LLC (Robert Norman), Taylors Tap picked up her third win in only the seventh career start. She earned $36,000 for the first stakes win of her career and her bankroll increases to $105,850.
Bred in Kentucky by Whisper Hill Farm, the winner is a grey or roan 3-year-old filly sired by Tapwrit and out of the Yes It’s True mare Ultimate Shopper.
Taylors Tap returned $10.20 for a $2 win ticket, $5.80 to place and $3.40 to show. Lady Dreamer was worth $16 to place and $6.60 to show. Blame Day returned $2.80 to show.
Live racing resumes on Saturday with a 5:30pm first post. The co-features are the $60,000 Lafayette and the $100,000 Evangeline Mile. The Evangeline Downs Thoroughbred season runs until August 12.
Evangeline Downs Racetrack Casino and Hotel, a property of Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE:BYD), features exciting casino action, live horse racing and fun dining experiences. Evangeline Downs is located in Opelousas, Louisiana, off I-49 on Cresswell Lane at Exit 18.
