Opelousas, Louisiana –He’s Royal Dee ($6.60) making his first start since March, tracked the early leaders including Follow The Storm, part of the Brandon Marks trained entry with Watchem Smokey that was the even money betting favorite before taking command in mid-stretch to win the $50,000 Oak Hall Stakes for three-year-olds and up at Evangeline Downs on Saturday evening. Jockey Brian Hernandez had the 5-year-old gelding much closer than usual to the leaders and that proved the difference as his patented late burst was too much for his five rivals to handle. He won by more than 5 lengths in the time of 1:23 4/5 for the seven furlongs on a track labeled fast.

Owned by Patricia & Steve Roe, the altered son of Afternoon Deelites recorded his fourth career victory from 22 starts.

Watchem Smokey, the only multiple stakes winner in the scratch depleted field of six, took command from his entry-mate at the top of the stretch but couldn’t match strides with the winner while clearly second best. Marion’s Man edged out Jacob V and G A for the show spot, with Follow the Storm weakening to 5th after setting the fractions of 23 and 46 1/5. Cajole, in his first local outing faded to sixth and last after prompting the early pace.

Magic Sunset and Ulah Tyson were late scratches.

He’s Royal Dee, based at Louisiana Downs with trainer Patrick Mouton, earned $30,000 for the win, his first stakes victory. Bred in Kentucky by Loch Lea Farm, Inc., He’s Royal Dee has now bankrolled more than $125,000 lifetime.

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.