Opelousas, Louisiana – High Strike Zone ($9.40) tracked race favorite Fass Feat during the early stages before taking command on the final turn and edging clear in the stretch to win the $50,000 John Henry Stakes for three-year-olds and up at Evangeline Downs on Saturday evening. Jockey Steve Bourque was able to settle the seven-year-old gelding behind the previously undefeated Fass Feat and that proved the difference as the Kentucky bred son of Smart Strike had plenty left in the tank to hold off Recognition and More Than Regal.

Owned by Donald Erickson and trained by Amos Laborde, High Strike Zone earned $30,000 for the victory, his 13th in 44 career starts and pushed his lifetime earnings past the $640,000 mark.

Recognition was able to save ground the entire way and parlayed that trip to a runner-up finish, 2 Π lengths behind the winner and a length in front of More Than Regal. Pressed finished 4th, followed by Fass Feat who tired late after setting early fractions of 23 4/5, 47, 1:11 4/5. Marion’s Man and Lee’s Say So rounded out the order of finish. Liquid Silver, Old Colony, and Jacob V and G A were scratched.

The running time for the mile on a track labeled fast was 1:37 4/5.

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

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