News - Racing March  29, 2024

Jess Bein The Hero Victorious in the Sam’s Town Stakes on Louisiana Million Night


Jess Bein Hero, under jockey Manuel Gutierrez, drives to victory in the $21,000 Sam’s Town Stakes at Evangeline on Saturday.

© Coady Photography

OPELOUSAS, LA—DECEMBER 16, 2017—The favorite did not disappoint in the $21,000 Sam’s Town Stakes at Evangeline on Saturday, as Jess Bein the Hero and Manuel Gutierrez led throughout the race to win by a head. Final time for the 350-yard event was 17.350, and the winning duo earned a speed index of 104.

Jess Bein the Hero is a 4-year-old black colt by Valiant Hero, bred in Texas by Curtis Crenwelge. He is out of the Mr Jess Perry mare Jess Braggin. Miguel Rodriguez trains for owner Juan Martinez-Labastida. With his win the Sam’s Town, the colt adds another win to his impressive career stats: seven wins in 10 starts, with lifetime earnings exceeding $100,000.

Winning jockey Manuel Gutierrez and winning trainer Miguel Rodriguez accept the Sam's Town Stakes trophy Saturday at Evangeline Downs. © Coady Photography

Jess Bein the Hero is an Evangeline Downs specialist, winning four of his five attempts in Opeloulas.

To the outside of Jess Bein the Hero, Icanonlyemagine and Eye N Capo dueled for second. Icanonlyemagine, with Noe Castaneda aboard, edged out Eye N Capo by a neck.

Icanonlyemagine is trained by Kenny Roberts, owned by Bobby Cox, and was bred in Louisiana by Daniel Trahan. The 5-year-old is by Swingin Jess and is out of the Dash for Cash mare Real Or Imagined.

Icanonlyemagine has campaigned lightly in 2017 but won half of his starts this year. The multiple graded stakes-placed gelding has been competing in the tough older horse division among fellow Louisiana-breds and has banked over $220,000 in his career.

Finishing just behind Icanonlyemagine was Eye N Capo and Damian Martinez. Josue Ponce trains the 3-year-old gelding for owner Ruben Garcia Montemayor.

Bred in Oklahoma by Dee and Betty Raper, Eye N Capo is by Capo de Capi and is out of Satisfeyen, by Mr Eye Opener.

With nearly $375,000 in earnings, Eye N Capo was the highest-money earner in the field for the Sam’s Town. In 2016, Eye N Capo began his career undefeated in four starts, including a win in the Dash for Cash Futurity (G2) at Lone Star Park. He extended his win streak to five in 2017 before finishing second in the Remington Park Oklahoma-Bred Derby (RG3) earlier this year.

Completing the field were Dutcher, Maxx, Kid Can Dash, Graceful Eagle and Memphis D Nasty. Barefoot Beach and Hez Kwik were both scratched.


Courtesy Ses