Star Guitar repeats in Evangeline Mile

OPELOUSAS, La. - Star Guitar successfully defended his title in the $100,000 Evangeline Mile on Saturday night, outfinishing 2008 Mile winner Ide Like a Double by a length in a spirited stretch battle. Chief Jay finished a neck back in third, followed by King Dan.

With new rider Jesse Campbell in the saddle, Star Guitar ($3.40) settled off the pace, before Campbell went to work on the reigning Louisiana-bred horse of the year turning for home. The 123-pound highweight stopped the timer in 1:37.25 over a fast track.

“In the early stages, we were right where I wanted to be,” Campbell said. “He is the type of horse that gives you a lot of confidence, and although it took a while for him to rise to the occasion and I had to thump him pretty good, once he kicked in gear in the final furlong I knew we were going to get the job done.”

In winning for the 14th time in 19 starts, Star Guitar picked up $60,000 for Evelyn Benoit’s Brittlyn Stable. The 5-year-old homebred son of Quiet American is trained by Al Stall Jr. and is now less than $30,000 from joining the ranks of $1 million earners.