SIR GENGHIS WIRES THE FIELD IN THE $100,000 LOUISIANA LEGENDS CLASSIC

By Michael Chamberlain —-

TRAINER KIRK HARRIS WINS TWO STAKES RACES ON THE LOUISIANA LEGENDS NIGHT PROGRAM

OPELOUSAS, LA – The connections of Sir Genghis had to choose between running in the $100,000 Louisiana Legends Sprint and the $100,000 Louisiana Legends Classic tonight at Evangeline Downs. Part-owner and trainer Kirk Harris certainly made the right call as the gelding went right to the lead in the Classic and then withstood a stout challenge from Social Misfit in the final strides to win. The final time for the 1-1/16 miles over the fast main track was 1:43.93, just off the track record for the distance of 1:4326, set by Friend Of Indy in 2013.

The winner broke well in the field of seven in the Classic and took the lead under jockey Kerwin Clark before the field made the first turn. He received some pressure from longshot Just Stormin through the early fractions of 24.08 seconds for the quarter-mile and 48.01 seconds for the half-mile. Social Misfit made a strong move in the stretch and closed to within a head of Sir Genghis, but just could not get by and had to settle for second. The 5-2 favorite, Classy Bird, was never a factor and finished sixth.

Sir Genghis was bred in Louisiana by Randel Stutes. He is owned by Gillian and Kirk Harris, who is also the trainer. The 6-year-old gelding is by Tale Of The Cat and out of the Unbridled’s Song mare, Staria. The win was the ninth in Sir Genghis’ 36-race career and the $60,000 first-place purse increases his lifetime earnings to $370,212.

Sir Genghis was sent off at 5-1 by the betting public and returned $13.60 to win, $7.00 to place and $4.60 to show. Social Misfit paid $5.60 to place and $4.60 to show, while Just Stormin held third and paid $7.60 to show.

Kirk Harris was also the part-owner and trainer of another winner on Louisiana Legends Night. P Boo rallied from off the pace to run down the favored Efforting in the $100,000 Louisiana Legends Soiree, winning in a final time of 1:38.45 for the one mile distance. P Boo is owned by Robert Lestz, Gillian and Kirk Harris and was ridden to victory by Ashley Broussard. The 3-year-old filly was bred in Louisiana by Spendthrift Farm, LLC and is by Dominus and is out of the Freud mare, Paraiba.

The biggest favorite of the night was able to justify the faith of the bettors, as 1-9 choice Pacific Pink won the $100,000 Louisiana Legends Distaff. She was last early on but was able to run in the clear outside of traffic and eventually pulled away to win by three lengths in a final time of 1:44.80 for the 1-1/16 mile distance. The win was the second stakes victory of the Evangeline Downs meet for Pacific Pink, who had previously won the Spotted Horse Stakes on June 2. Pacific Pink was bred in Louisiana by Brandon Adcock. She is by Private Vow and out of the Robyn Dancer mare, Truly Romantic. Pacific Pink is owned by Keith Plaisance, trained by Edward Johnston and was ridden to victory by Colby Hernandez.

Hernandez was also the winning rider in the $100,000 Louisiana Legends Mademoiselle aboard Look Into My Eyes. She settled in nicely early on behind early leaders Rach’slastscarf and Overthegardengate and surged by in the stretch to win by three lengths in a final time of 1:03.04 for the 5-1/2 furlongs. Look Into My Eyes was bred in Louisiana by Robert McDowell and Bethe Deal. She is owned by Kathleen Amaya and Raffaele Centofanti and trained by Efren Loza, Jr. Look Into My Eyes is by City Zip and out of the Wild Again mare, Burnished Miss.

Jockey Diego Saenz scored four riding wins on the Louisiana Legends program. The one stakes victory for Saenz was aboard Underpressure in the $100,000 Cheval. Underpressure ran in midpack early on behind the pacesetting Bending Saint and Set Hut. Saenz sent the colt into the breach on the far turn and as the field entered the stretch Underpressure was in front and held off a late challenge from Magic Vow to win by 1-3/4 lengths in a final time of 1:37.77 for the one mile. Underpressure was bred in Louisiana by James McIngvale. He is owned by Mallory Greiner and trained by Chris Richard. Underpressure is by Birdstone and out of the Charismatic mare, Charming Colleen.

Jockamo’s Song had been running on the turf for his last five starts, but switched to the dirt to win the $100,000 Louisiana Legends Sprint. He got away to a decent start in the full field of 12, running seventh after a quarter-mile, before jockey Gerard Melancon moved him up nicely alongside the early leader, Icy Gentleman. Jockamo’s Song was able to pass that one and prevail by a length in a final time of 1:03.64 for the 5-1/2 furlongs. Jockamo’s Song was bred in Louisiana by Debbie and David Allen. He is owned by Dare to Dream Stable, LLC and trained by Michael Stidham. Jockamo’s Song is by Half Ours and out of the Trophy Hunter mare, Miss Clairnette.

Live racing will resume at Evangeline Downs on Wednesday night with a nine-race program. There will be a Super Hi 5 carryover of $1,766.72 into the Wednesday card. 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 http://www.evdracing.com/ “>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 atwww.boydgaming.com, or www.evangelinedowns.com.

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