Offspring steps up to open company for Opelousas Stakes

Offspring will be looking for her third consecutive stakes win Friday night when she moves into open company for the $60,000 Opelousas at Evangeline Downs.

“I think she’ll do well,” trainer Eddie Johnston said.

Offspring is part of a field of seven fillies and mares for the one-mile turf race. The group includes fellow Louisiana-bred stakes winners Snowball, Quikfast N Ahurry, and Net a Bear.

Offspring began her stakes streak in March, when she won the $60,000 Red Camelia at about a mile on turf at Fair Grounds. She then captured the $70,000 Louisiana Legends Distaff at Evangeline Downs. The mile race was scheduled for turf, but was moved to the sloppy main track. Offspring stalked the pace before going on to win by 1 3/4 lengths in her most recent start June 5.

She will break from post 7 on Friday. Roberto Morales, who was aboard for the Distaff, has the mount again on Offspring.

“Morales rode her perfect last time,” Johnston said. “He’s back on her. Hopefully, she can get the same trip as last time.

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“We’d like it to be on the grass, but if not, we’re not going to be upset about it. She seemed to take to the dirt. She proved she can run on the dirt, too.”

There is a 46 percent chance of rain in the forecast, according to The Weather Channel.

Offspring is a daughter of Into Mischief who races for her breeder, Oak Tree Stables.

Quikfast N Ahurry was second to Offspring in the Distaff last out at Evangeline. Earlier this year, Quikfast N Ahurry won the $100,000 Louisiana Premier Night Distaff at Delta Downs.

Net a Bear was third last out in the Distaff at Evangeline Downs. She was a two-time stakes winner over the Fair Grounds turf during the 2019-20 season and two races ago was second in the Red Camelia.

Snowball is moving back to two turns and when last seen at the configuration she won the $60,000 Evangeline Downs Distaff at a mile May 14.