Star Guitar captures Evangeline Mile

OPELOUSAS, La. - Star Guitar ran his record this summer to a perfect 3 for 3 with a popular win in Saturday night's $150,000 Evangeline Mile. The starting highweight defeated King Dan by 2 1/4 lengths. Defending Mile champ Ide Like a Double reported home another two lengths back in third, followed by State Power.

Trained by Al Stall Jr., Star Guitar ($3.20) stalked the early pace well out in the strip before being asked for some run by Curt Bourque turning for home. The 4-year-old Quiet American colt quickly collared the leaders and then pulled away in a time of 1:37.38 over a fast track.

"Mr. Al told me in the paddock before the race that Star Guitar was doing better than ever and that his only instruction to me was that I should ride him like a good horse," said Bourque following the race. "I've been getting on this horse since he started training as a 2-year-old and I have all the confidence in the world in him, and he has yet to let me down.

"I was able to position him in the clear, and even though the leaders picked up the tempo down the backstretch, I wasn't worried at all. When I asked him to run, he gave me his all and was actually a pretty easy winner."

The victory was Star Guitar's ninth from just 12 career starts. Saturday night's payday of $90,000 increased his career earnings to just over $558,000.