IRON FIST IS A KNOCKOUT IN THE EVANGELINE MILE

By Michael Chamberlain —-

JOCKEY GERARD MELANCON WINS BOTH STAKES ON SATURDAY NIGHT

OPELOUSAS, LA – Iron Fist was able to secure his second $100,000 stakes victory of 2017 on Saturday night at Evangeline Downs, winning the Evangeline Mile by a half-length over Fear The Cowboy, who was attempting to win the race for a second consecutive year. Iron Fist had previously won the $100,000 Maxxam Gold Cup at Sam Houston Race Park in February.

A 50-1 longshot, Just Stormin, set the early tempo in the Evangeline Mile. He covered the quarter-mile in 24.64 seconds and the half-mile in 48.81. While he set the pace, Just Stormin faded later on and ended up seventh. Iron Fist sat just behind that leader and moved to the front as the field was on the far turn. Dan The Go To Man also moved up and was right alongside Iron Fist as the field entered the stretch. Fear The Cowboy was caught five-wide through the turn and remained wide through the stretch while closing well. The wire arrived just in time for Iron Fist to prevail in a final time of 1:37.62 for the mile over the sloppy track.

Iron Fist earned $60,000 for his victory, which increases his lifetime earnings to $659,799. The win was his sixth in 19 lifetime starts. He is a 5-year-old horse by Tapit and out of the Orientate mare, Successful Outlook. Iron Fist is owned by the Whispering Oaks Farm, LLC, trained by Steve Asmussen and was ridden by Gerard Melancon.

Iron Fist was sent off as the 6-5 favorite in the Evangeline Mile and returned $4.40 to win, $3.00 to place and $2.60 to show. Fear The Cowboy paid $3.40 to place and $3.00 to show, while Dan The Go To Man returned $5.20 to show.

Jockey Gerard Melancon also scored a victory in the second stakes race on Saturday night. He was aboard Tigerstorm in the $50,000 Lafayette Stakes. Tigerstorm overtook the early leader, Resilience of Love after that one led through a quarter-mile of 2265 seconds. From there, Tigerstorm remained in front after a half of 45.55 seconds. The 3-year-old gelding never looked back and held off 15-1 longshot, Meraki, for a 2-1/4 length victory in a final time of 1:25 for the seven furlongs.

Tigerstorm was bred in Louisiana by Stacey Moak and Matt Koch, owned by Phyllis Hodges and Randy Schneider and trained by James Hodges He is by Half Ours and out of the Belong To Me mare, Pavlina. The win was his fourth in seven lifetime starts and increased his lifetime earnings to $91,854.

Tigerstorm was the second choice in the wagering at 9-5 and paid $5.60 to win, $3.80 to place and $2.60 to show. Meraki returned $11.40 to place and $5.20 to show. Set Hut rallied to finish third and paid $4.40 to show.

Live racing will resume at Evangeline Downs on Wednesday night was a nine-race program. First post time will be 5:25 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.

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