Opelousas, Louisiana :: Tortuga Straits ($3.00) justified both the bettors' confidence and his connections' optimism with an emphatic victory [ picture ] in the $100,000 John Franks Memorial Two-Year-Old in Training Sales Stake for colts & geldings at Evangeline Downs Racetrack and Casino on Saturday evening.

Jockey Luis Quinonez rated Tortuga Straits just off a quick early pace set by Atta Boy Jake and Big Al's Choice, then surged past them in mid-stretch en route to a 4 length score. Run on a track labeled muddy from afternoon showers, Tortuga Straits covered the 5 furlongs in a very good 1:04 4/5.

Atta Boy Jake who set the pace thru fractions of 21 3/5 & 45 3/5, couldn't match strides with the winner in the stretch, but was well clear of 3rd place finisher Big Al's Choice. Sugar Bowl Day checked in 4th, followed by Money Hunter, Duel Connection, Hillbilly Rockstar, Coonie Moonie and W G S Finest.

Tortuga Straits, bred in Louisiana by Joe Adcock & Neal McFadden, is by sire Gold Tribute out of the Dixieland Band mare Tortuga Band, making him a half-brother to multiple stakes winner Tortuga Flats. Owned by Karla Balensiefen and trained by Ralph Irwin, he is now a perfect two-for-two after winning his debut last month at Louisiana Downs. Purchased for $21,000 at The John Franks Memorial Two-Year-Old in Training Sale this past March, Tortuga Straits has now earned $78,000.

Racing continues on a Wednesday thru Saturday schedule with a post time of 6:40 p.m. each evening.

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