Evangeline: Star Guitar takes Louisiana Legends Classic for fourth time

OPELOUSAS, La. - Star Guitar extended his winning streak to 10 Saturday night at Evangeline Downs as he captured his fourth consecutive $100,000 Louisiana Legends Classic in track-record time.

The 7-year-old Star Guitar rallied three wide out of the final turn and wore down a stubborn Heavy On Themister in the late going to prevail by three-quarters of a length in 1:43.71 for 1 1/16 miles.. The final time bested the old mark set by Drill Hall in 2006 by over half a second. Get in Da House, the 6-5 second choice, moved in tandem with Star Guitar out of the final turn but could not keep up in the late going and had to settle for third.

"This horse is like riding a sports car, he has so many gears," said winning rider Gerard Melancon. "I kept asking him in the stretch and he kept giving me more and was really striding out in the end. He beat a couple of good horses tonight and he is just a fun horse to ride."

Trained by Al Stall Jr. for Evelyn Benoit’s Brittlyn Stable, Star Guitar ($3.40) ran his career mark to a remarkable 24 for 30 and remained unbeaten in seven starts at Evangeline. The all-time leading Louisiana-bred earner increased his career bankroll to slightly less than $1,750,000.

Stall also accounted for the $100,000 Legends Turf with Kissimmee ($4.60), who won for the first time at 1 1/16 miles and also for the first time over the Evangeline turf course. Kissimmee Kyle was ridden by Mark Guidry, who also won the $100,000 Legends Distaff with Ladyzarbridge ($5.80) for trainer Eddie Johnston.

Richard Eramia had a ridding double on the evening as well. He won the $100,000 Legends Sprint on board Amanecer de Oro ($5) and the $75,000 Legends Starter with Well’s Gold ($12.20) who set a course record for 7 1/2 furlongs on the turf.

Little Miss Protocol ($12.60) beat a deep field in the $100,000 Legends Filly Mile while U Belong to Me ($23.40) pulled off the upset in the $100,000 Legends Lady Sprint. Top Cat Boogie ($5.70) picked up his fifth career win from 10 starts in the $100,000 Legends Mile to complete the all Louisiana-bred stakes action.