Debut stakes runner E Lion puts streak on line in John Henry
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The improving E Lion will be looking for his fourth consecutive win Saturday night when he makes his stakes debut in the $60,000 John Henry at Evangeline Downs.
He’s part of a field of eight older horses for the 1 1/16-mile turf race. The group includes defending winner Point Proven, Evangeline Mile winner Perry County, and eight-time stakes winner Allnight Moonlight. Post time for the nine-race card is 5:30 p.m. Central.
E Lion began his streak March 20 with a head win in a $30,000 claiming race at 1 1/16 miles on turf at Fair Grounds. From there, he won a first-level allowance by a nose April 16 at Evangeline and a second-level allowance by a neck over the same course June 13. For his last effort, E Lion earned a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 83.
“His last race was a big race,” trainer Shane Wilson said. “His numbers keep improving, and I thought this is a good time to give him a chance while he’s in form and give him a chance to get some black type for his mother.”
E Lion is a gelding from the multiple stakes-winning mare King’s Ghost. He races for his breeder, Brittlyn Stable. E Lion is by Clearly Now.
As for his development, timing has proven to be the key factor in more ways than one.
“He just seems like he’s getting better and better,” Wilson said. “He’s a very late foal and he started really catching his stride there mid-Fair Grounds meet. His last race down there for $30,000, he ran right by the leader, looked like he was going to win easy, and then he let up and the horse came back and put a neck in front of him. He pinned his ears, went back running, and we ended up winning the photo finish.
“We kind of learned that day that you can’t make the lead with him too soon. If he makes the lead, he’ll pull up and wait on the other horses, and so that’s the way we’ve been riding him the last couple times at Evangeline – kind of leave him a lot to do at the end to make him really have to work to get there, and it’s worked out.”
Jockey Harry Hernandez, who was aboard E Lion last out at Evangeline, has the mount from post 6.
“Hopefully, he can get a clean trip and get outside where he likes to do what he likes to do,” Wilson said.
Point Proven last raced May 30 and won a one-mile turf allowance at Lone Star Park. The Beyer of 87 that he earned is the best last-race turf number in the John Henry.
Perry County was a six-length winner of the Evangeline Mile in his last start April 4. While that race, for which he earned a 90 Beyer, was on dirt, he is a winner on turf. Last year, he was second the Super Derby at Louisiana Downs.
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