(Opelousas, Louisiana) – Twenty-one of the top Louisiana Bred two-year-olds in the state will head to post in three Trials this Saturday to determine the field for the 40th Running of the $100,000 D. S. Shine Young Memorial Futurity Final on July 30. Races 4, 6 & 8 were finalized yesterday morning with seven starters set to contest each Trial. The top four finishers in each event will qualify for the Final. Each of the Trials will be contested at 5 furlongs, the same distance as the Shine Young Final. The D. S. Shine Young Final will headline the Louisiana Legends Night Program on July 30th. The Legends Night Program features Louisiana Bred thoroughbreds competing in eight stakes events with purses totaling $425,000. The races themselves honor Racing Legends (owners, trainers, etc.) that made an important impact on horse racing in the State of Louisiana. Evangeline Downs hopes to turn this event into a week long celebration in future years that will benefit non-profit organizations in the local area.

Race 8, the third Trial of the evening, may be the most contentious of the three events. It will feature two winners as well as several others coming out of competitive races. The 5-2 morning line favorite is Scat on the Track. The Carrol Castille owned/trained son of Scatmandu dominated a field of nine in his debut at Evangeline Downs on May 12, posting a 3 ¼ length win. Scat on the Track has posted two works since his debut including a solid half-mile work on June 22 of 0:49.40. Wilfredo Lozano Jr. returns in the saddle on Saturday. Expect to contend in this group include Leestown Light, Friday’s Night and Capt. Rhon. David Beard’s Leestown Light (3-1) won his debut for trainer Larry Robideaux, Jr. on May 26 at Louisiana Downs in an off the pace effort. The son of Leestown will be ridden for the first time on Saturday by jockey Jason Eads. Jim McGuire’s Friday Knight’s (4-1) finished second in her debut at Louisiana Downs on June 9. The daughter of Festive has a work at the Trial distance to her credit, clocking the five furlongs in 1:01.20 on June 30. C. J. Woodley gets the call on the Steve Asmussen trainee. The sleeper in the field may be Ralph J. Wadleigh’s Capt. Rhon (8-1). The son of You and I broke just off the pace in his June 24 debut at Louisiana Downs and could not catch the top two finishers in that race. Brian Hernandez gets a return call for top Evangeline Downs trainer Keith Bourgeois.

Headlining the first Trial(race 4) will be Valene Farms’ Carson Bay (2-1 morning line). The son of Prince of the Mount has one race to his credit, a sensational four-length score in his debut at Louisiana Downs on June 10. The Troy Young trainee has worked smartly since that effort, recording two half-mile works over the Evangeline Downs surface. On June 25 he worked 0:51.60. Most recently, he recorded a 0:49.60 workout on July 2nd, seventh best work at the distance of fifty recorded. C. J. Woodley, who rode Carson Bay in his debut, will ride again on Saturday. Those expected to challenge the favorite include Big Herm and Keep the Rail. Patrick Ladner’s Big Herm (3-1) will break to the inside of the favorite and should be able to rate off the early speed. The son of Editor’s Note finished second in his debut on June 29 at Evangeline Downs, losing by 1 ½ lengths to the talented Z Drive. Marlon St. Julien will ride the Herman F. Ladner, Jr. trainee. Donald Ott’s Keep the Rail (7-2) also debuted on June 29. The son of Rail led throughout but faltered late, losing to Justin’s Magic, who will start in race 6. The Mickey Delahoussaye trainee will be handled by Larry Melancon on Saturday.

James Dimel’s Kubwa (2-1) was installed as the favorite for race 6 on the Saturday card. The son of Souvenir Copy has raced three times already in his young career. The Carl Deville trainee broke his maiden in his second lifetime start at Louisiana Downs on May 27. Most recently he finished second in the $40,000 Pioneer Stakes on June 26, also at Louisiana Downs. Jason Eads, who rode Kubwa in his lone win, will be back onboard Saturday. Expected to provide the stiffest challenge to the favorite is Justin’s Magic and Poppa Duke. Riceland Racing Stables’ Justin’s Magic (3-1) upset the field in his debut on June 29 at Evangeline Downs. The Enis Mouton charge posted an authoritative 4 ½ length win in his debut and rider Edwin Maldonado returns in the irons on Saturday. Just Having Fun LLC’s Poppa Duke (7-2) rallied late in his debut, finishing fourth at Evangeline Downs on June 29. The son of Golden Gear was placed third after third place finisher Wild Zone Willie was disqualified for interference. The B. J. Gilbert trainee was well backed in his debut and will once again have the riding services of Evangeline Downs’s leading jockey C. J. Woodley.

The complete fields for Saturday’s $25,000 D. S. Shine Young Memorial Futurity Trials in post position order are as follows:

Contact: Sean Beirne Evangeline Downs

337-594-3000, sbeirne@evangelinedowns.com