Evangeline Downs: Lattin Devil sets track record in Inaugural Stakes

OPELOUSAS, La. – Lattin Devil stalked the early pace before challenging and drawing away in impressive fashion Wednesday evening at Evangeline Downs to capture the opening night’s featured $50,000 Inaugural Stakes in track-record time. Hardrock Eleven rallied to finish second, followed by fellow late-runner Successful Story.

Breaking a beat behind the front-runners from the rail, jockey Donnie Meche moved Lattin Devil into contention and then joined the early leaders through a quick opening quarter of 22.92 seconds while three wide into the turn. Disposing of the other speed by late in the bend, Lattin Devil ($5.40) ran the opening half in 44.34 before expanding his final margin to 7 1/2 lengths at the wire without ever feeling the whip.

His final clocking for the six furlongs was a rapid 1:08.63 over a fast strip. The timing eclipsed the previous mark of 1:08.93 set by Heavy On Themister on May 3 of last year.

Trained by Jorge Lara for Terrell Jarrett Jr., Latin Devil, a son of Latent Heat, won for the third time in six starts. Wednesday’s payday of $30,000 increased the 3-year-old’s career bankroll to almost $105,000.