Aunt Nellie brings versatility to juvenile allowance

OPELOUSAS, La. – A pair of evenly matched allowance races anchors a solid 10-race program Friday night at Evangeline Downs. The action starts at 5:40 p.m. Central.

The first co-feature is slated as the fourth race and is for 2-year-old fillies looking for their second career victory. It is the first such race carded for juveniles at the meeting and brings together an interesting mix of those exiting stakes efforts and recent maiden winners.

The night’s second allowance is the ninth race and is for Louisiana-breds who have not won three races. The 7 1/2-furlong affair on turf drew a field of nine, including a coupled entry.

Race 4

Key contenders

Aunt Nellie (Last 2 Beyers: 50-34)

* Finished second in the rich D. S. “Shine” Young Futurity at more than 40-1 when she came flying late. That running style contrasted with her maiden score, in which she pulled off the wire job. It is nice to have that kind of versatility as a young horse.

Ms Runcat (Last 2 Beyers: 44-61)
Hash Tag Miss (Last: 62)

* Not sure this will be the classic rabbit-and-closer entry scenario since each looks equally quick. Ms Runcat comes in off a creditable effort in the Shine after chasing a quick opening quarter, so she has a seasoning advantage over her entrymate, who has seen only maiden opposition. A softer pace likely benefits both, although with Gerard Melancon named on each, not sure the entry remains intact.

* Trainer Steve Flint’s barn has been very tough in the 2-year-old ranks the last couple of seasons as most come in well schooled and ready to run. Flint’s juveniles have a 31 percent strike rate from almost 70 starters, and even though the secret has been out for a while, they still have a healthy ROI.

Race 9

Key contenders

Safari Calamari (Last 3 Beyers: 72-67-54)

* She outran her price in her last start, a stakes that was rained off the turf, the surface she won over two starts back. Her Beyers continue to get better, and she is reunited with runaway leading rider Colby Hernandez tonight.

Nadia Anne (Last 3 Beyers: 63-59)

* Her connections tried to get her on grass in her debut but were foiled by the weather, so one would think they have the infield in mind for her. The sire has had just one debut turf winner from 21 starters, and her dam failed to hit the board in three grass tries. Neither of her two siblings has attempted the turf, so her pedigree is a bit light on the green side.

Romance in Vegas (Last 3 Beyers: 52-46-31)

* She has not run as fast as some others in here, but all she’s done lately is win. Her last victory came on grass, and the third-place finisher out of that midlevel, non-winners-of-two claimer came right back to flatter her. Hot apprentice Ashley Broussard takes over for the injured Diego Saenz, and she gets along splendidly with the barn, with a couple of wins earlier in the meeting.