Speedsters go at it in Evangeline Downs sprint

OPELOUSAS, La. - Early burners M C M Icy Gray and Whata Friend head up Friday night’s $29,500 allowance feature, a 5 1/2-furlong dash that attracted a field of seven.

M C M Icy Gray won at first asking in December at Delta Downs, quickly opening up daylight and cruising home 4 1/2 lengths the best. A Square Eddie filly, she came back two weeks later and once again bolted out to a clear advantage through an opening quarter in a blistering 21.60 seconds before tiring in the late stages.

Trainer Dale White has some quick works in M C M Icy Gray in preparation for her 2014 debut Friday, including a 47.40-second half-mile from the gate last week. Joe Patin will handle the riding chores.

Whata Friend, second in the fillies’ division of the D.S. “Shine” Young Futurity last year, made her first start of the year in a second-level allowance here three weeks ago. She opened a daylight advantage in the early going only to weaken in the final furlong. Trainer Corale Richards has once again named Kirk LeBlanc to ride.