Evangeline Downs: Silent Legacy by a neck in Opelousas Stakes

OPELOUSAS, La. – Silent Legacy outdueled the favored Little Polka Dot in a spirited battle to capture the $50,000 Opelousas Stakes by a neck Saturday night at Evangeline Downs.

It was a length farther back to Queenie Vic in third and another length back to fourth-place finisher Paoli in the stakes for fillies and mares over about a mile on turf. Miss Addison, Osi Posse and Patty’s Pride were all late scratches.

Trained by Corale "Bunky" Richards and expertly handled by Kirk LeBlanc, Silent Legacy ($15) dogged 6-5 favorite Little Polka Dot from the outset through fractions of 24.59 seconds and 48.89 before the duo picked up the tempo through six furlongs in 1:12.82. The winner put a head in front turning for home and refused to give up the advantage to the wire, stopping the timer in 1:38.39 over firm going.

"We had a perfect trip," LeBlanc said. "I asked her to run at the quarter pole, and she was able to quicken up and grab the lead. The favorite was certainly a tough opponent, but my filly kept on giving me her all, and in the end, it was enough for the win."

Winning for the first time in stakes company and for the sixth time in 16 starts, Silent Legacy picked up $30,000 for owners and breeders I. Lee Lange and Eugene J. Patin. The 4-year-old daughter of Silent Name has earned $145,930.