Evangeline: Heavy On Themister goes wire to wire in Mile

OPELOUSAS, La. - Controlling the pace throughout under Tracey Hebert, Heavy On Themister found more in the late going and held off odds-on favorite Apart to win Saturday night’s $125,000 Evangeline Mile at Evangeline Downs by a neck. It was another 5 1/2 lengths back to Sweetsouthernmoon in third, followed by Pirate Island.

After carving out fractions of 23.08, 45.96 and 1:10.46 for the first six furlongs, Heavy On Themister ($16.20) still held a half-length advantage over Pirate Island. He put away a stubborn Pirate Island in midstretch before holding off Apart’s challenge in the late going. The final time of 1:36.38 over a fast strip was just .10 off the track record set by Ide Like a Double in the 2008 edition of the Mile.

"I knew we were going pretty fast," said Hebert. "But I’ve ridden this guy several times recently and knew that he is a free-wheeling horse who you can’t really rate too much. I just waited as long as I could to knuckle down on him, and when I did he really gave me his all."

Heavy on Themister is a Louisiana Bred 4-year-old Lion Tamer gelding. Trained by Shawn David, he is owned by his breeders Rebecca Farms Inc. and T. J. Dickey. He earned $75,000 for the win, his first in a stakes and the fourth in his 12-race career. He has now banked just over $182,000.