Opelousas, Louisiana – Devereux ($3.60) pulled clear in the final furlong to win the $62,230 Inaugural Stakes at Evangeline Downs Racetrack and Casino on Friday evening. Benefiting from a perfect stalking trip behind pacesetters Bluehard and Fiery Choice, the three-year-old Florida bred son of Forestry rallied to the front in mid-stretch under jockey Donnie Meche en route to a 2 1/2 length victory.

Bluehard, who set a pressured pace of 22 3/5 & 45 4/5, gamely held on to finish second, a length in front of Fiery Choice. Turnleftatthelight checked in fourth, followed by Smith B Quick in fifth. Stablemates Inca River and Addicted Bay rounded out the order of finish. The winning time was 1:10 1/5 for the six furlongs on a track labeled fast.

Devereux, a homebred son out of the Mr. Prospector mare Born Perfect, earned more than $38,000 for the win and increased his lifetime earnings to $105,760. This was his third win and first stakes score in seven career starts. He’s owned by the Padua Stables and is trained by Steve Asmussen.

Racing continues on a Wednesday thru Saturday schedule with a post time of 6:20 p.m. each evening.

For more information contact Evangeline Downs at 337 594-3000.