LaRose gets started with Authentic Gallop in Evangeline Mile
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Authentic Gallop will represent a significant change to the trainer lineup in Louisiana on Saturday night, when he seeks to win his third straight race in the $100,000 Evangeline Downs Mile.
He will be one of the first starters in the state for Kinnon LaRose, who is taking over the stable of Louisiana native Tom Amoss. The barn will be based in Kentucky this spring, but LaRose will be active at Evangeline over opening weekend.
Evangeline’s 73-date meet that began Friday will run through Labor Day.
Amoss announced last month that he planned to transition from training to an advisory role by April 1.
“There were a number things that came into play here,” Amoss said. “One is, I was seeing some of my friends pass away and others not be as active as they could be. So, I think that played a part in it. Other than that, it just felt right.”
Amoss said he also was excited to have the opportunity to give back to the sport, by advising a talented, up-and-coming horseman in LaRose.
“I’m going to miss the horses,” Amoss said. “I’ve always loved working with animals. I fell in love with horse racing as a sport, but it was the communication between trainer and horse that really did it for me. I’ll miss that the most, the relationship with the horses.”
Authentic Gallop, whose last two wins came for Amoss at Delta Downs, is one of the first starters LaRose, his former assistant, will have as a head trainer. The horse is a chief contender in the signature race at Evangeline.
The Evangeline Mile is for 4-year-olds and up, and the race drew a field of eight. Authentic Gallop began his streak with a conditioned allowance win at a mile. He then returned to win a restricted stakes over seven furlongs – which is a two-turn configuration – with a career-high Beyer Speed Figure of 84. It’s the best last-race Beyer in the Evangeline Mile.
Zambezi is moving back to dirt after running third in a second-level allowance sprint on the synthetic track at Turfway Park. One start prior, he won a one-turn mile race on the main track at Churchill Downs, with a Beyer of 91.
Donegal Clan was third in the Delta Mile won by Touchuponastar.
The Evangeline Mile is one of three stakes on the card. The $60,000 Lafayette for 3-year-olds at six furlongs is led by Tiz Mary’s Comet. He ran second to Amoss trainee Oscar’s Hope in the Ozark last out at Oaklawn Park. LaRose was to have saddled Oscar’s Hope in the $400,000 Lafayette on Friday at Keeneland.
The $50,000 Buggin Out is for Alabama-breds and is led by the multiple stakes-placed Unaffilated.
The Evangeline Mile and Lafayette will be part of the sequence for a new wager, the Bayou Bet 6. The jackpot pick six is a 20-cent bet that will have a 15 percent takeout rate. It will run on the last six races each card, and for Saturday that will be races 5-10.
In other meet highlights, Louisiana Legends Night, featuring six restricted stakes worth $100,000 each, will be held June 6.
Jockey Timothy Thornton and trainer Allen Landry are both back to defend their titles at Evangeline.
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