Seven Seventythree takes Salute at Evangeline

Seven Seventythree collared pacesetter Cajun Conference in midstretch, then wore that rival down to capture Friday night's $50,000 Salute Stakes at Evangeline Downs by a neck.

Ridden by Gerard Melancon and trained by Steve Asmussen, Seven Seventythree ($3.20) won for the fourth time in 10 starts and has now banked over $185,000 for the Heiligbrodt Racing Stable. The 3-year-old Louisiana-bred daughter of Littleexpectations covered the seven furlongs 1:24.26 over a fast track.

Lightlightlight, coupled in the wagering with the winner, reported home third followed by Muffin.

"She settled in nicely for me in the early stages and in fact moved to the leaders rounding the far turn," Melancon said after the race. "When I asked her at the top of the stretch, she accelerated and I actually thought she was going to blow by the pacesetter, but the other horse dug in and made things interesting."