Mocito Rojo upsets Dazzling Gem in Evangeline Mile

Mocito Rojo became a stakes winner Saturday night at Evangeline Downs when he comfortably held off a stretch bid from odds-on favorite Dazzling Gem for a 1 3/4-length victory in the $100,000 Evangeline Mile. It was another 5 1/4 lengths back to pacesetter Sir Genghis in third.

The Evangeline Mile is the marquee race of the meet and it shared a card with the $50,000 Lafayette won by Autumn Warrior ($4.20).

Mocito Rojo ($22) settled in third in the early stages of the Evangeline Mile, chasing Sir Genghis through fractions of 24.32 seconds for the opening quarter, 47.24 for the half-mile, and 1:11.85 for six furlongs. Mocito Rojo advanced midway on the final turn, took the lead in the stretch, and went on to cover the distance on a track rated fast in 1:37.69.

Jockey Filemon Rodriguez was aboard for trainer Shane Wilson.

Mocito Rojo is a Kentucky-bred son of Mutadda who races for Wayne T. Davis. He is now 4 for 4 over the main track at Evangeline Downs. Mocito Rojo picked up $60,000 for his win in the Evangeline Mile, which was his ninth career victory from 13 starts. The horse who twice started for a claiming price of $10,000 earlier in his career has now earned $175,900.

Mocito Rojo is 2 for 3 at the current meet, winning an optional $30,000 claiming race on the main track April 26 and the Evangeline Mile. In between those starts he was second in a turf allowance May 16.

Autumn Warrior cruises in Lafayette

Autumn Warrior backed up a 14 1/2-length debut win with a stakes victory in the Lafayette, a seven-furlong race for 3-year-olds bred in Louisiana. He was always prominent for a 6 3/4-length win over O’L Red. It was another 1 3/4 lengths back to Discreetly D in third.

Autumn Warrior invaded from Louisiana Downs, where he won a maiden special weight in his last start May 5. In the Lafayette, he dueled through fractions of 22.21 seconds for the opening quarter and 44.73 for the half-mile, and went on to cover the distance on a fast track in 1:24.19. Colby Hernandez was aboard for trainer Al Stall Jr., who earlier in the day won two races at Louisiana Downs. Stall also won the sister race to the Lafayette, the Acadiana, on Friday night at Evangeline with Seaside Amour.

Autumn Warrior is a son of Orb, while his dam, Kinsolving, was a multiple stakes winner of $189,295. Autumn Warrior races for his breeder, Autumn Hill Farms Racing Stables.