Casino news source: Evangeline Downs Casino - http://www.evangelinedowns.com/
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
8/2/06
Tortuga Straits the one to beat in the $100,000 John Franks Memorial Sales Stakes at Evangeline Downs Racetrack and Casino
Opelousas, Louisiana ÐFresh off an eye-catching debut, Karla Balensiefen's Tortuga Straits takes on eight rivals and has been installed as the 2-1 morning line favorite in the $100,000 John Franks Memorial Sales Stakes Saturday evening at Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino. This event is restricted to two-year-old colts & geldings that have passed through the sales ring in the 4th annual John Franks Memorial Two-Year-Old in Training Sale this past March. The sister event, also worth $100,000 is restricted to fillies and will be run on Friday evening.
Tortuga Straits, a son of Gold Tribute, and a half brother to multiple stakes winner Tortuga Flats, was nothing short of brilliant in his winning debut last month at Louisiana Downs. Tracking a hot pace after leaving from the outside post in the twelve-horse field, Tortuga Straits seized command midway thru the turn and then steadily increased the margin to win by more than 4 lengths while covering the 5 furlongs in a speedy 58 seconds flat and earning a Beyer speed figure of 83. Trainer Ralph Irwin has sent him out for two maintenance drills since that effort including a three furlong blowout in 37 3/5 on Sunday. Luis Quinonez, who rode him in his debut, comes in for the ride.
Atta Boy Jake & Sugar Bowl Day, the 4th & 5th place finishers in the "Shine" Futurity last month on Louisiana Legends Night, and impressive maiden winner Big Al's Choice loom as the main challengers to the top pick. Atta Boy Jake, a son of top local sire Wire Me Collect, held on well after setting the early pace in the "Shine", while Sugar Bowl Day was a victim of traffic problems while losing by less than three lengths. Big Al's Choice, purchased for the bargain basement price of $1,000 at the John Franks Memorial Two-year-old in training sale in March, earned his diploma in his second career start after leading throughout in a maiden special weight event here at Evangeline Downs last month. The son of Choosing Choice missed the 4 furlong track record by less than one second after stopping the teletimer in 52 2/5. Trained by newcomer Alvin Sider, Big Al's Choice has already earned more than $27,200 for owners Michael Sandlass and Kim Shaw. Veteran Ricky Faul has the mount.
Carded as the 9th race on Saturday's ten-race program, the approximate post time is 10:00pm central time.
Here is the field in program order with odds for the $100,000 John Franks Memorial Sales Stakes to be run at Evangeline Downs on Saturday, August 4. 2006
1. Tortuga Straits Luis Quinonez 2/1
2. W G S Finest Kirk LeBlanc 12/1
3. Sugar Bowl Day Edwin Maldonado 6/1
4. Money Hunter Kevin Smith 20/1
5. Atta Boy Jake Kerwin Clark 3/1
6. Hillbilly Rockstar Trey Agilar 15/1
7. Coonie Moonie C. J. Woodley 12/1
8. Big AlÕs Choice Ricky Faul 4/1
9. Duel Connection Damon Duhon 15/1
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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