Evangeline Downs in Opelousas, La., wrapped up its 2021 Thoroughbred season on Saturday night with an 11-race program that featured the $60,000 D. S. 'Shine' Young Futurity for colts and geldings and recognition of the top horsemen for the meet.
The D. S. 'Shine' Young was won by Whispering Oaks Farm's Fiesty Fist. The 24-1 longshot was ridden to victory by jockey Kevin Smith, who got a leg up from trainer Steven Flint before the 5-1/2-furlong test for 2-year-olds.
Breaking from post nine in a 10-horse field, Fiesty Fist sat off the early pace of :22.08 for the opening quarter-mile and :45.92 for the half set by True Deal. As the field turned for home, True Deal held a narrow lead while riding the rail as Fiesty Fist and Tambourine Star were closing in during the final furlong. At the wire, Fiesty Fist passed the pacesetter by just a half-length to claim victory while Tambourine Star settled for third, another head behind the runner-up.
The final time for Fiesty Fist was 1:05.39 while racing over a track listed as muddy.
The win by Fiesty Fist was the second of his three-race career. He broke his maiden at first asking on May 20 before finishing sixth in the Louisiana Cup Juvenile at Louisiana Downs on August 21. He earned $36,000 for his win on Saturday while raising his overall bankroll to $50,400.
Bred in Louisiana by Carrol J. Castille, Fiesty Fist is a 2-year-old bay gelding by Iron Fist, out of the Roman Ruler mare Sheza Roman Ruler.
Fans who backed Fiesty Fist at the wagering window were rewarded with payoffs of $51 to win, $27.80 to place, and $15.60 to show. True Deal paid $5.40 to place and $3.60 to show. Tambourine Star was worth $3.20 to show.
During the closing night race card, the leading horsemen for the meet were honored in the winner's circle between races. The meet's leading jockey was Diego Saenz with 117 wins. The leading trainer crown went to Eduardo Ramirez, who scored a training triple on the last night of racing and 44 wins overall for the meet. The leading owner title went to Jimmy Johnson's Red Rose Racing, whose runners were victorious 30 times during the 84-day stand.
Evangeline Downs kicks off the 2021 American Quarter Horse season on Wednesday, October 6. The highlight of the season will take place on December 18 when the track hosts the Louisiana Million Futurity for 2-year-olds. First post time each Wednesday through Saturday night during the season will be at 5:35 pm.
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