News - Racing March  28, 2024

Open Me A Corona Impresses In Opelousas Stakes At Evangeline Downs


Open Me A Corona, under jockey Saul Ramirez, Jr., winning the $50,000 Opelousas Stakes at Evangeline Downs Saturday night.

© Coady Photography

OPELOUSAS, LA—NOVEMBER 14, 2015—Charles Forbes, Jr. and Tommy Hays’ Open Me A Corona continued to be undefeated thus far in 2015 with a conclusive victory in the $50,000 Opelousas Stakes at Evangeline Downs.

The Bobby Martinez trainee was sent right to the front out of the gate by jockey Saul Ramirez, Jr. and coasted to a two-length victory over Heza Fast Rogue with Shesa Dashingromance coming home third. The win was the fifth straight stakes victory of the year for Open Me A Corona and his third win in four lifetime starts at Evangeline Downs.

The winning connections of Open Me A Corona accept the Opelousas Stakes trophy Saturday night at Evangeline Downs. © Coady Photography
Open Me A Corona covered the 400-yard distance over a fast track in 19.752 seconds, which equals a speed index of 95. The win was the 11th in 13 lifetime starts for the sorrel runner. He earned $30,000 for the victory, increasing his lifetime earnings to $696,298.

Open Me A Corona is a 5-year-old horse by Coronas Leaving You out of the Mr. Eye Opener mare, In The Open. He was bred in Louisiana by Natalie Montgomery, D.V.M.

Kevin Broussard saddled runner-up Heza Fast Rogue for owners Brock Broussard and Jacque Bourque. Ridden by Donald Watson the stakes winning son of leading sire Heza Fast Dash pushed his earnings total to $316,950 after pocketing $10,000 in the Opelousas Stakes.

Shesa Dashingromance races for owner Joseph Brignac and trainer Lanny Keith. John Hamilton rode the Heza Fast Dash mare out of Das N To Romance, by Mr Jess Perry. Donald Moran, Jr. bred the multiple stakes-placed earner of $92,835.

Completing the field were Jls Mr Bigtime, Jjs Black Lace, Bradys March Madness and Runaway Dove.

The wagering public made Open Me A Corona the 4-5 betting favorite at post time and he paid $3.60 to win, $2.80 to place and $2.10 to show. Heza Fast Rogue returned $3.40 to place and $2.40 to show. Shesa Dashingromance paid $3.00 to show. Triple M Farms, LLC bred Heza Fast Rogue from the Mr Jess Perry mare Miss Jess Rogue.

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Jockey Gilbert Ortiz won the Saturday finale aboard Fast Prize Patriot to up his career win total to 2,999. With one more win, Ortiz will join just six other American Quarter Horse riders at the 3,000 victory milestone.

Evangeline Downs will resume live racing on Wednesday night with a nine-race program. History might be in the air on Wednesday at Evangeline Downs. Post time on Wednesday night is 5:35 pm Central Time.

For more information on the American Quarter Horse season at Evangeline Downs, visit the track’s website at www.evdracing.com.


Courtesy Ses