Local favorites lead trio of Saturday turf stakes

OPELOUSAS, La. – There is a mini turf festival on tap Saturday night at Evangeline Downs, where a trio of stakes highlight the 10-race program – the 1 1/16-mile Sunset for 3-year-olds and up, the one-mile Opelousas for fillies and mares, and the five-furlong Turf Express. Each will offer a purse of $75,000.

While the Sunset and Turf Express likely will see prohibitive favorites in local heroes Stormdriver and Heitai, the Opelousas promises to be a more interesting betting affair. The well-traveled In My Time, last seen at Arlington Park; Haunted Heroine, a recent winner of the Ellis Park Turf; the Lone Star Park invader Welcome Aboard; and the locally based Hot Tempo are all expected to vie for the role of the public’s choice in the Opelousas.

Sunset (race 4)

Key contenders

Stormdriver (Last 3 Beyers: 96-95-96)

A winner of 3 of 4 with a close second since Patrick Devereux took over the training chores in March. Loses regular rider Diego Saenz, who is out with a broken leg, but leading rider Colby Hernandez takes over, and he is winning at a ridiculous 33 percent with three-quarters of the meet in the books.

Keg Party (Last 3 Beyers: 81-83-83)

Mid-Atlantic import represents the wild card as he is about the only one in here Stormdriver hasn’t beaten this year. He also could hold the key to the race with regard to pace as he appears to be the only one capable of keeping up with Hail to the Nile.

Opelousas (race 7)

Key contenders

Welcome Aboard (Last 3 Beyers: 76-82-82)

* Confirmed stalking sort would benefit greatly if fellow contenders In My Time and Haunted Heroine hook up in a speed duel, and on paper, that scenario certainly looks possible. Deshawn Parker thinks enough of this one’s chances that he travels in to ride.

Hot Tempo (Last 3 Beyers: 84-73-72)

* She is another who would benefit from a quick pace, as she did in winning the Matron Stakes over the local lawn last year. She comes off her best non-turf Beyer Speed Figure and appears to be regaining form.

In My Time (Last 3 Beyers: 82-73-86)

* Drew well for her speed as the rail almost has to force her hand. It is obvious from her form that the slower she goes early, the better her finish. If she gets pressured, another wire job might not be in the cards.

* One-dimensional running style aside, it’s difficult not to appreciate her 3-3-0 record from six turf starts and the 1-2-0 mark from three starts at this distance.

Haunted Heroine (Last 3 Beyers: 82-87-79)

* Comes in off back-to-back victories but did so leading every step of the way. Something is going to have to give up front between her and In My Time.

Turf Express (race 9)

Key contenders

Heitai (Last 3 Beyers: 96-83-100)

* Got back into the win column last time at the expense of fellow statebreds on the main track but was not dominating. Returns today to turf, where he is a perfect 2 for 2 locally and 4 for 5 lifetime.

* Poor draw from the outside, but nobody to his inside appears to have anything close to his quickness. Odds-on to be off and gone.

Snappy Girl (Last 3 Beyers: 82-65-75)

* Mare in with the boys, but she ran a solid third to the top choice in the Evangeline Downs Turf Sprint here last year. She also got back in the win column last time against Louisiana-breds after a lengthy dry spell.

Reflector (Last 3 Beyers: 78-89-85)

* He is a stakes winner on grass at this meeting and was considerably overmatched in that trip to Canada, looking at his 30-1 price.