Stormdriver takes off-the-turf John Henry

OPELOUSAS, LA. - Successfully stalking from off the pace, Stormdriver swept to the front turning for home and drew strongly clear to capture the $60,000 John Henry Stakes on Saturday night at Evangeline Downs.

Odds-on favorite and pacesetter String King dug in gamely to preserve the place while proving no match for the winner down the stretch and was beaten 5 3/4 lengths. Skipberry Wine was another neck back in third, followed by Galveston Harbor.

Diego Saenz settled Stormdriver (16.80) in the second flight off the inside while String King was carving out fractions of 23.70 seconds for the quarter-mile and 47.41 for the half. After six furlongs in 1:12.15, Saenz began to move Stormdriver in the four-path and his mount took over entering the stretch, steadily increasing his margin in the drive before stopping the timer in 1:43.48 over a track upgraded to fast earlier in the evening. The John Henry was originally slated for turf but was moved to the main track after heavy morning rains.

Trained by Pat Devereaux, Jr. for Fruition Racing LLC, Stormdriver won for the sixth time in his career and for the second time in as many starts since Devereaux took over the training duties earlier this year. A 5-year-old son of Discreet Cat horse, Stormdriver has earned more than $194,000 in 24 starts.