Evangeline Downs: Lota Prince 3 for 3

LAFAYETTE, La. - Lota Prince, who arrived at Evangeline Downs as a maiden just last month, joined the ranks of stakes winners Saturday night when he defeated nine fellow Louisiana-bred 3-year-olds in the $35,000 B. B. "Sixty" Rayburn Stakes. Spritely Walker, the heavy 3-5 favorite, finished second, followed by longshot Teepee Creeper.

In winning for the third time in as many local tries, Lota Prince ($11) raced within striking distance in the early going before making his move under Jason Trevort. After surging clear in the second turn of the one-mile inaugural running of the Rayburn, Lota Prince gamely held off a late bid by Spritely Walker to prevail by a neck. Lota Prince, owned by Jimmie Hatcher and trained by Sam Breaux, covered the distance in 1:39.20 over a fast strip.