Opelousas, Louisiana –Delta Vixen ($5.80) unleashed a furious late rally to nail Big Erl in the closing strides of the $100,000 John Franks Memorial Sales Stakes Colts & Geldings division at Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino of Saturday evening. Forwardly placed in the early stages under first time rider Ricky Faul, Delta Vixen took aim at the leading Big Erl in the stretch and edged that one by a neck.

Big Erl, who set or contested the early fractions of 22 1/5 & 46 4/5, maintained a clear advantage for most of the stretch before getting caught at the wire. Delta Angel, part of a Peter Cantrell owned entry with the winner, finished two lengths behind the top pair in third. Buster Hut, the 7/5 race favorite was never a factor while checking in 4th, a nose in front of Mr. J. B., Buddha Man, Shirley’s Man, Say the Scoop, and Brogan’s Bull completed the order of finish in the nine-horse field.

Winning Jockey Ricky Faul had this to say after the victory “In the paddock Keith (trainer Keith Desormeaux) told me to ride him confidently and to not give up on him, I didn’t think we were going to get there but I kept after him and when he switched leads with about 40 yards to go he really accelerated.”

The win, the second in four starts for the son of A. P. Delta, was worth $60,000 to owner Peter Cantrell. By the Strolling Along mare Voluptuous, was bred in Louisiana by Rene Gaston.

The running time was 1:07 2/5 for the 5 π furlongs on a track labeled fast.

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

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