Casino news source: Evangeline Downs Casino - http://www.evangelinedowns.com/
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
8/1/06
Princess Deelite headlines the $100,000 John Franks Memorial Sales Stakes Filly Division at Evangeline Downs Racetrack and Casino
Princess Deelite headlines the $100,000 John Franks Memorial Sales Stakes Filly Division at Evangeline Downs Racetrack and Casino
Opelousas, Louisiana ÐA total of twelve juvenile fillies are set to square off in the first edition of the $100,000 John Franks Memorial Sales Stakes Filly Division Friday evening at Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino. This event is restricted to fillies that have passed through the sales ring in the 4th annual John Franks Memorial Two-Year-Old in Training Sale this past March. The open division is also worth $100,000 and will be held the following night. Long known as a proving ground for the best juveniles the South and Southwest has to offer, this is the co-2nd leg in Evangeline Downs' series of six-figure events for the youngsters. The D.S. "Shine" Young Memorial at five furlongs was the first leg, and the six furlong Lafayette Stakes on Labor Day, Monday, September 4, will not only close out the series but close out the spring/summer thoroughbred season.
Princess Deelite, a solid 2nd to Woozy in the "Shine" on Louisiana Legends Night last month has been installed as the 5/2 morning line favorite. A daughter of million-dollar earner Afternoon Deelites, Princess Deelite has already proven to be a bargain for owners Valene Farms. Purchased from the John Franks Memorial Two-Year-Old in Training Sale this past March, she has already earned more than $62,900 with a win and a pair of runner-up finishes in three lifetime starts. Trained by Troy Young, she will be ridden by veteran jockey C. J. Woodley in her first start against her own sex.
Recent maiden winners Eccentric Girl & Ocean Express figure to be the main contenders in this 5 furlong dash. Eccentric Girl and Ocean Express, both purchased for modest prices ($15, 000 & $23,000) respectively, enter this race off sparkling wins. Eccentric Girl, a daughter of Slew City Slew, crushed a solid maiden cast by more than seven lengths in her lone start at Louisiana Downs at the end of June. She has been training steadily since that effort for Trainer Riley Gilbert III and will be ridden by Lonnie Meche. Ocean Express earned her diploma right here at Evangeline Downs after a solid runner-up finish in her debut at Louisiana Downs for Trainer Ralph Irwin and Owner John Balensiefen.
Leblanc takes over lead in Jockey Standings.
With five weeks remaining in the spring/summer meeting, Kirk Leblanc has taken over the lead in the leading Jockey standings. Leblanc with six wins over the past week now leads former front-runner Kerwin Clark 56-52. Steve Bourque is third in the standings with 45 wins, while C. J. Woodley is one win behind with 44. Marlon St. Julien has vaulted into the top five after winning a total of nine races last week. St. Julien had a triple on Wednesday, a four-bagger on Thursday, as well as one win on both the Friday & Saturday programs and now has a total of 39 victories.
Carded as the 9th race on Saturday's ten-race program, the approximate post time is 10:01pm central time.
Here is the field in program order with odds for the $100,000 John Franks Memorial Sales Stakes Filly Division to be run at Evangeline Downs on Friday, August 4. 2006
1. Miss Atlantic City Kirk Leblanc 8/1
2. Ocean Express Luis Quinonez 5/1
3. Scarlett Molly O Jason Faul 30/1
4. PriscillaÕs Pet Kevin Smith 12/1
5. Eccentric Girl Lonnie Meche 7/2
6. Aerobic Dancer Steve Bourque 10/1
7. Call Me Mattie Jerri Nichols 20/1
8. Princess Deelite C. J. Woodley 5/2
9. Mizzen To Me Kerwin Clark 12/1
10. Blue Grass Miracle Billy Patin 15/1
11. Quieta Saint Willie Lozano Jr. 15/1
12. Mary LouÕs Tribute Trey Agilar 30/1
Racing continues on a Wednesday through Saturday evening schedule with a post time of 6:40 p.m. central time.
For more information contact Evangeline Downs at 337-594-3000. |
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