Indigo Girl wins Louisiana HBPA Stakes

Longshot Indigo Girl broke on top and did not look back as she upset six rivals in Saturday's Louisiana HBPA Stakes at Evangeline Downs. Shes Dixies Eskimo chased the winner in vain throughout and had to settle for second, four and a half lengths behind and four and a quarter lengths in front of Living Lavida Lisa in third. Zarba the Great finished fourth followed by favored Hello Lucky, who faded after racing forwardly early. Shakopee was a late scratch.

Trained by Sam Breaux, who also sent out the runner up, Indigo Girl ($27.20) was ridden by Jason Eads and covered the five and half furlongs in 1:03.70 in leading every step of the way. The Louisiana-bred 3-year-old daughter of Leestown picked up sixth win from 12 starts as she made her first start since early May. She picked up $45,000 for her winning connections and has now earned over $217,000.

"I spoke to Mr. Breaux in the paddock and his only instructions to me were to let the filly decide race tactics," Eads said following the race. "When she broke I just let her do what she wanted and she was just breezing along, at the top of the stretch I took a peek back and didn't see anyone coming after me, I guess you could say I was just a very happy passenger."