Corluna tries to double up on Opelousas Stakes

Corluna’s connections decided to change her running style last month, and the move resulted in the first career stakes win for both the filly and her trainer, Sarah Delany. The team will try to double up Friday night, in the $50,000 Opelousas at Evangeline Downs.

Corluna is part of a field of nine fillies and mares for the stakes, which will be run at a mile on turf. The group includes the first three finishers from the $75,000 Louisiana Legends Distaff Turf on May 25 at Evangeline – Bermuda Star, Is Too, and Tap Dance Star.

Corluna, who generally runs on the front end, closed for a neck win in the $50,000 Lane’s End Danny Shifflett Stallion Scholarship Stakes on June 23 at Lone Star Park. Richard Eramia was aboard for the 7 1/2-furlong turf race for fillies and mares bred in Texas.

“Richard is such a phenomenal rider,” Delany said. “He watched replays of her races and felt she wasn’t finishing as strong. We decided to take her off the pace to try and get a little stronger finish.”

Corluna closed from next to last in the Lane’s End, shuttling home from more than seven lengths off the pace. She will break from the rail Friday night and will be ridden by Gerardo Mora. Tactics are to be determined, Delany said.

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“It’s going to depend on the race, and her, if she’ll do it,” Delany said. “She’s definitely her own boss.”

Corluna, a homebred who races for Ian Yarnot, ran over the Evangeline turf on April 24, finishing second by a half-length in an optional $20,000 claiming race at about a mile. One start later, she won the Lane’s End, earning a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 74. Corluna bounced out of the race well, Delany said.

“The reason we went in here is that she did come back from the other race so well,” Delany said. “I think the running style contributed to it. She didn’t wear herself out.”

Corluna is a 4-year-old daughter of Unbridled’s Heart who is based at Evangeline.

Bermuda Star is 2 for 3 over the Evangeline course. She closed for a half-length win in the Louisiana Legends Distaff Turf, which was run at about a mile on the grass. Diego Saenz has the mount from post 3 for Brittlyn Stable and trainer Victor Arceneaux.