PICKETT FENCES IN THE COMPETITION IN THE $75,000 “SHINE” YOUNG FUTURITY

By Michael Chamberlain —-

ATCHATA WINS THE FILLIES DIVISION UNDER JOCKEY DIEGO SAENZ

OPELOUSAS, LA – Evangeline Downs hosted two divisions of the $75,000 D.S. “Shine” Young Futurity on Saturday night for Louisiana-bred 2-year-olds, one for colts and geldings and one for fillies.

In the Colts and Geldings Division, a speed duel between the two betting choices developed as Beto and Pickett hooked up shortly after the start. The pair duked it out through a swift 21.97 seconds for the quarter-mile and 45.87 for the half. Beto, the 7-5 betting favorite, was the one that gave way as they entered the stretch. Pickett then had to withstand a late challenge from Victory Trip and did so convincingly, pulling away to a nine-length victory in a final time of 1:05.37 for the 5-1/2 furlongs over the fast track.

Pickett was sent off at 5-2 by the wagering public and paid $7.60 to win, $3.40 to place and $2.60 to show. Victory Trip returned $4.40 to place and $3 to show. Beto held third and paid $2.60 to show.

Pickett was bred in Louisiana by William D. Pickett and is owned by Charles Carlton. The 2-year-old gelding is trained by Glenn Delahoussaye and was ridden to victory by Tim Thornton. Pickett is by two-time Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner, Goldencents and out of the Dixie Brass mare, Street Beat. He is now 2-for-2 in his brief career and the $45,000 first-place purse increases his lifetime earnings to $59,400.

In the Fillies Division of the $75,000 D.S. “Shine” Young Futurity, it was Atchata who shone the brightest. The filly, who was sent off as the 4-5 betting favorite, was one of the early pacesetters after a strong start. She and Scat At Ms. Pat’s dueled through strong fractions of 22.12 seconds for the quarter-mile and 46.14 for the half-mile. As the field turned for home, Atchata turned on the after-burners and drew away to a convincing 6-1/2 length victory in a final time of 1:06.25 for the 5-1/2 furlongs. An 80-1 longshot, D’rockette closed to get second and Scat At Ms. Pat’s held third.

Atchata returned $3.60 to win, $3 to place and $2.40 to show. D’Rockette paid $27.80 to place and $7.80 to show, while Scat At Ms. Pat’s paid $3 to show.

Atchata was bred in Louisiana by 4M Ranch and owned by Corrine and William Heiligbrodt. The 2-year-old filly is trained by Steve Asmussen and was ridden to victory by Diego Saenz. Atchata is by Apriority and is out of the Stormy Atlantic mare, Sweet Jackie Jo. She has now won two of three races in her career and the $45,000 first-place purse increased her lifetime earnings to $100,000.

Live racing at Evangeline Downs will resume on Wednesday night with a nine-race program. Post time on Wednesday will be 5:50 pm Central Time.

For more information on the Thoroughbred season at Evangeline Downs, visit the track’s website at www.evdracing.com. Evangeline Downs’ Twitter handle is @EVDRacing and the racetrack is also accessible on Facebook at www.facebook.com/EvangelineDownsRacing.

About Evangeline Downs
Evangeline Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel is owned by Boyd Gaming Corporation, a leading diversified owner and operator of 22 gaming entertainment properties located in Nevada, New Jersey, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. Boyd Gaming press releases are available at www.prnewswire.com. Additional news and information can be found at www.boydgaming.com, or www.evangelinedowns.com.