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Louisiana Legends Night: Evangeline Cards Six State-Bred Stakes Races Saturday

Evangeline Downs is hosting its annual celebration of the Louisiana-bred Thoroughbred this Saturday night with six $60,000 stakes races making up Louisiana Legends Night. It promises to be an exciting evening of racing and a delicious night of dining as several local-area food trucks will be on hand to provide the crowd with a variety of menu options.

The first stakes race of the night will be the $60,000 Cheval for 3-year-olds at one mile. The field of six is led by the 8-5 morning-line favorite, Relentless Dancer. The colt has won just one stakes race in his brief career, the $100,000 Louisiana Legacy at Delta Downs, but he also finished fourth in the Grade 3 Holy Bull Stakes at Gulfstream Park behind Grade 1 Belmont Stakes winner, Tiz The Law. Additionally, he ran fifth in the Unbridled Stakes at Gulfstream behind the Belmont runner-up, Dr. Post. Gerard Melancon will have the ride on Relentless Dancer for trainer Mike Maker.

The $60,000 Turf Distaff at one mile for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up will feature a field of five with Net A Bear installed as the 8-5 morning-line choice. The Allen Landry trainee scored a win in the $60,000 Red Camelia Stakes at Fair Grounds in her last start on March 14. Tim Thornton will ride on Saturday. Is Too is the 9-5 second choice and she was the runner-up in that Red Camelia Stakes. She also was the runner-up in the 2019 Turf Distaff at Evangeline Downs before scoring a win in the $50,000 Opelousas Stakes on July 12 last year over the main track. Diego Saenz will ride Is Too for trainer Edward Johnston.

The most competitive stakes race on the program could be the $60,000 Mademoiselle at 5-1/2 furlongs for fillies and mares 3-years-old and up. A field of 10 will go to the post with Our Lost Love as a lukewarm 3-1 morning-line favorite. She has won two stakes races in her last three performances, the $100,000-added Louisiana Futurity at Fair Grounds on December 29 and the $76,300 Take Charge Brandi at Delta Downs on February 28. Carlos Lozada will be in the saddle on Saturday night for trainer Joey Foster.

The $60,000 Turf at one mile on the turf for 3-year-olds and up features a very strong top pair of favorites with Shang at 5-2 and Mageez at 7-2 on the morning-line. Shang is a Steve Asmussen-trained colt that won the 2019 Cheval as a 3-year-old at Evangeline Downs. He has won just one of five races since that victory, but also has been the runner-up in the $250,000 Iowa Derby at Prairie Meadows and the $60,000 Dixie Poker Ace Stakes at Fair Grounds. Mageez is the defending champion in the Louisiana Legends Turf and has won twice more since that victory, including last time out in an Allowance/Optional Claiming race at Evangeline Downs on June 10.

The story of the $60,000 Sprint is the attempt at a three-peat in the race for the 5-2 morning-line favorite, Monte Man. The 7-year-old gelding drew the rail in a field of nine for the 5-1/2 furlongs race for 3-year-olds and up. Gerard Melancon will be in the saddle for trainer Ron Faucheux on Saturday night, as he has been for the two preceding Sprint wins for Monte Man. Monte Man has already won two of four starts in 2020, including the $75,000 Costa Rising Stakes at Fair Grounds on March 21.

The $60,000 Soiree for 3-year-old fillies at one mile features a field of eight headlined by the 8-5 morning-line favorite, Vacherie Girl. She has won three of five lifetime starts, including two stakes at Fair Grounds, the $100,000 Lassie on Louisiana Champions Day on December 14 and the $75,000 Crescent City Oaks on March 21. Joel Dominguez will be in the saddle for trainer Steve Asmussen on Saturday night.

Evangeline Downs will also be presenting exciting food options on Louisiana Legends Night with three food trucks available in the patio area near the saddling paddock. Fans can get sno-cones from Kona Ice, barbecue food from Ohh Taste and See and Cajun delicacies from Cest Bon Manger. Tamales Cinco de Mayo will also be serving authentic Mexican cuisine from the patio counter and Mojo's Sports Bar will be open on Saturday night, where fans can not only order drinks, but also place wagers and watch the races. Fans must be 21 or older to enter Mojo's, but families are welcome to attend the races and enjoy the other dining options offered on Saturday night at Evangeline Downs.

Post time on Saturday night will be 5:50 pm Central Time. All fans entering the building at Evangeline Downs will be required to have temperature checks and the racetrack is encouraging patrons to practice correct social distancing measures while they are visiting Evangeline Downs.

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Oceanport Centennial Stakes Headlines Six-Race Opening Day Card At Monmouth This Friday

Awesome Anywhere, who dominated in a starter allowance race at Oaklawn Park two starts ago, heads a field of eight older horses for the first running of the $75,000 Oceanport Centennial Stakes, the feature race on Monmouth Park's opening day card on Friday, July 3.

First race post time on Fridays will be at 5 p.m. with the exception of Sept. 4 (Kentucky Oaks Day), when post time will be 12:50 p.m.

Post times on Saturday and Sunday during the 37-day meet will be 12:50 p.m. except for a noon start Haskell Day on Saturday, July 18.

Parking and admission are free all year except for Haskell Day.

Monmouth Park will open its gates to fans at 11 a.m. daily starting Thursday, July 2, when simulcasting wagering and the William Hill Sports Book will be available for the first time since the track was shut down on March 16 under state-imposed restrictions to fight the COVID-19 virus.

Starting Thursday, fans can enter the track through the Grandstand or Clubhouse entrances only. Upon entry, fans will receive a temperature check and will be asked to fill out a brief health questionnaire.

Masks are required to enter the facility.

No outside food or beverages will be permitted.

The Oceanport Centennial Stakes, at five furlongs, headlines a six-race Friday card that has drawn 57 entries.

Paco Lopez, seeking a seventh Monmouth Park riding title, has the mount aboard Awesome Anywhere, who is trained by Jerry Hollendorfer. A 6-year-old gelding, Awesome Anywhere has won seven of 18 career starts.

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Trainer Wilson Supporting Louisiana Downs, Lauds ‘Commitment To The Horsemen’ Through COVID-19 Crisis

When the 2020 Thoroughbred racing season got underway on June 6 at Harrah's Louisiana Downs, there were several new horsemen stabled at the Shreveport racetrack. The most successful of the group has been trainer Shane Wilson.

It is the first time in eight years that the Haughton, La. native has shifted his base to Shreveport. There was no hesitation when he was asked about returning for the meet.

“We were all in limbo several months ago,” said Wilson describing the impact of COVID-19 on the resumption of racing in Louisiana. “However (Director of Racing) David Heitzmann was the first to step up with a plan. We knew the early May date was not possible, but David set June 6 as the opening date at Louisiana Downs and quickly got the condition book posted.”

From that point, Wilson set his training schedule and “was ready to roll”.

In addition to the support from Heitzmann and his racing office staff, Wilson gives high marks to track superintendent, Billy McKeever, who oversees both the dirt oval and the Franks Turf Course.

“The main track is amazing,” said Wilson. “We arrived with some sore horses and they are now sound. Billy does an outstanding job.”

So far, it has worked out well for Wilson and his main owner, Wayne T. Davis. They are in second-place in the trainer and owner standings, trailing Karl Broberg and End Zone Athletics, Inc.

Wilson, 49, worked summers at Harrah's Louisiana Downs, starting when he was 15. He mucked stalls and hot walked for trainer Jack Van Berg. His brief foray to college did not last as he realized that he wanted to pursue a career in racing. He served as assistant to Sam David for seven years before going out on his own in 1998.

His top horse is the multiple-stakes winning Mocito Rojo, a 6-year-old son of Mutadda. Wilson claimed the Kentucky-bred for owner Wayne T. Davis for $10,000 in a December 2016 maiden race at Delta Downs. The six-time stakes winner has amassed a record of 17 wins from 30 starts and earnings of $818,063. In 2019, Mocito Rojo won the Steve Sexton Mile Stakes (G3) at Lone Star Park and the Lukas Classic Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs. He returned to the Grand Prairie, Texas racetrack on Sunday, June 28, finishing fifth in the $75,000 Lone Star Mile.

“He never likes dirt in his face and came back covered by a half of an inch of sand,” said Wilson. “It would have been nice to win as it was my owner's 91st birthday, but the horse cooled out fine and we made it back to Louisiana Downs late Sunday night.”

Davis, who resides in Plain Dealing, La., a small town in Bossier Parrish, is appreciative of the care Wilson gives each of his horses. His winners this meet at Harrah's Louisiana Downs include Green Monster; Cap Roc Miner, Artic Peace, Lucky Dare and most recently, a five-length score by Luvmewhenimgone.

Another key member of the Wilson team is veteran jockey Filimon Rodriguez, who is a full-time employee. The 53-year-old has ridden on the Texas and Louisiana circuits for three decades. He gallops the 30 head of Wilson's stabled at Louisiana Downs and rides the majority of the Wilson trainees in Shreveport.

Aside from his racing ties, Wilson has another notable connection to Harrah's Louisiana Downs. He met his wife, Becky, the daughter of horseman Jim O'Brien, here. The couple has two sons. Peyton is 19 years-old and his brother, Connor, 16, have both been helping their dad this summer.

“It's a tough business,” stated Wilson. “You have to make some very difficult decisions. I started the same time as some very successful horsemen, including my good friend, Bret Calhoun. To reach a really high level, you have to travel, and I chose to stay in Louisiana to be closer to my family.”

He will ship select horses to Evangeline Downs this summer but is more than content to be stabled at Harrah's Louisiana Downs.

“They showed their commitment to the horsemen,” he said. “So, I am happy to run here and support their meet.”

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Keeneland At Home: Unique Opportunity For Fans To Watch, Wager On Summer Meet

Keeneland has announced Keeneland at Home Presented by Central Bank, which offers a variety of creative and fun ways for fans to remotely enjoy Keeneland's five-day Summer Meet, to be held July 8-12. The season, which accommodates a portion of the 16-day Spring Meet that Keeneland was forced to cancel due to the COVID-19 outbreak, will be held without fans.

“Fans flock to Keeneland during our race meets, and we will miss seeing thousands of faces in the stands for the Summer Meet, but we look forward to delivering their favorite race-day traditions so they can hold watch parties at home and enjoy Keeneland,” Keeneland President and CEO Bill Thomason said. “From recipes for Keeneland's favorite foods and drinks such as Maker's Mark Bread Pudding, Keeneland Burgoo and the Keeneland Breeze to details about our daily programming and wagering opportunities, Keeneland has curated a selection of ways to safely enjoy the races at home.”

New to the race-day broadcast lineup for the Summer Meet is “Keeneland at Home Presented by Central Bank,” a 30-minute “pre-game show” on Facebook Live, YouTube and Periscope at 12:15 p.m. ET. Hosted by Christina Blacker, the program will feature a number of race-day experiences to kick off your at-home watch party, including lessons in BETology, libations prepared by Maker's Mark, handicapping picks from Equibase's Ellis Starr and more.

“Central Bank is excited to be involved with Keeneland at Home, a unique opportunity to make everything we love about Keeneland accessible to people regardless of where they are so they can experience the Summer Meet at home,” Central Bank Chairman, President and CEO Luther Deaton Jr. said. “This program is the latest chapter in Central Bank's long-standing relationship with Keeneland, which, of course, includes sponsorship of the historic Ashland (G1) for 3-year-old fillies. When the Ashland was moved from April 4 to July 11 during the Summer Meet, Central Bank's presentation of Keeneland at Home became a natural partnership.”

Keeneland at Home kits available from The Keeneland Shop

To help fans create the Keeneland experience for their in-home watch parties, The Keeneland Shop is offering a selection of Keeneland at Home Kits that fans are able to craft to suit their taste and style. Kits, which include branded drinkware, apparel and accessories, are available in Pick 2, Pick 3 and Pick 4 bundles via The Keeneland Shop online store. Fans are encouraged to place their orders before the July 8 opening day to be able to enjoy the kits during all five days of racing.

Purchases of Keeneland at Home kits over $35 made through July 12 will come with a commemorative Summer Meet print by Kayla Weber, a bag of Keeneland's Brown Butter Popcorn and a set of Keeneland saddle towel yard flags.

TV Coverage Focuses on Handicapping

During the Summer Meet, races will begin each day at 1:05 p.m. ET, and TVG will present live, on-site coverage of all the day's racing starting at 1 p.m. Meanwhile, Keeneland has expanded its offerings to enable fans to access live racing coverage through new channels at home.

In addition to the live stream on Keeneland.com and KeenelandSelect.com, fans may stream the entire card on Facebook Live and YouTube beginning at 12:55 p.m. daily. Keeneland also has enhanced its viewing experience on its popular Race Day mobile app with new video features that allow users to watch live coverage while navigating throughout the app.

Race-day programming will begin at 11:30 a.m. with “Today at Keeneland,” a 30-minute preview show with handicapping picks and discussion of horses of interest. Racing analysts Gabby Gaudet and Scott Hazelton host “Today at Keeneland,” which airs live on TVG2, The CW Lexington and WKYT.com and is streamed live on Keeneland.com, KeenelandSelect.com and Facebook Live. Fans will also have the opportunity to tune in to a live Winner's Circle Camera Presented by Coolmore.

Wager via Keeneland Select; Download Free Programs at Keeneland.com

During the Summer Meet, Keeneland will offer complimentary race-day programs, which can be downloaded at Keeneland.com or through the Keeneland Race Day app.

Fans may wager on the Summer Meet by signing up for an account with Keeneland Select, Keeneland's online wagering platform. Keeneland Select will offer a special bonus for new sign-ups: wager $100 on the Summer Meet and receive $50 back. This is on top of Keeneland Select's lucrative sign-up bonus, which will earn a player $100 after he or she wagers $300 within the first 30 days.

In addition, Red Mile will conduct drive-thru wagering during the Summer Meet from 8 a.m. until the final post at Keeneland.

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