Mocito Rojo scores repeat win in Evangeline Mile

Mocito Rojo won the $100,000 Evangeline Mile for the second year in a row Saturday night, coming out on top in a three-way photo at Evangeline Downs in Opelousas, La. He won by a nose over Title Ready, while it was another neck back to Pioneer Spirit in third.

The Evangeline Mile, the centerpiece of the meet, is for 3-year-olds and up.

Mocito Rojo ($5.20) went over $500,000 in career earnings with the win and improved his record over the Evangeline Downs main track to 5 for 5.

Mocito Rojo was content to stalk the pace as Zipzaptime took the field through fractions of 24.74 seconds for the opening quarter and 48.95 for the half-mile. Mocito Rojo advanced through six furlongs in 1:12.85, took the lead in the stretch, and held off the late-charging tandem of Title Ready and Pioneer Spirit.

Filemon Rodriguez was aboard Mocito Rojo, who covered the distance on a fast track in 1:37.30.

Mocito Rojo was winning his third straight race, behind the Owner Appreciation Cup in March at Delta Downs and the Grade 3 Steve Sexton Mile in April at Lone Star Park.

Trainer Shane Wilson has long had the Evangeline Mile targeted with Mocito Rojo, who is based at Evangeline. He said the horse’s races will be spaced generously this year and that he likely will make his next start on the road. Wilson said Mocito Rojo would be considered for the Grade 3, $200,000 West Virginia Governor’s Stakes on Aug. 3 at Mountaineer Park.

Mocito Rojo is a son of Mutadda who races for Wayne T. Davis. The horse has now won 15 races from 23 starts for earnings of $544,750. Rodriguez has been aboard for 14 of those victories.