San Lorenzo Corona Wins The Opelousas Stakes at Evangeline Downs

OPELOUSAS, LA—NOVEMBER 8, 2018—San Lorenzo Corona made it two graded stakes wins in a row on Saturday night at Evangeline Downs with an emphatic victory in the $40,000 Opelousas Stakes (RG2), covering the 400 yards over the fast track in 19.463 seconds, equaling a speed index of 104. The colt had previously won the Mid-City Stakes (RG3) at Fair Grounds on September 8.

San Lorenzo Corona had a decent beginning from the outside post in the field of nine and was in contention right away. Sweet Bru, who was trying to extend her own winning streak to four in a row, led in mid-stretch, but at that point San Lorenzo Corona kicked it into high gear and scampered away to win by a length. Sweet Bru held on for second, as Zoomin For Grace, who started last in the field, rallied with a nice close to be third.

San Lorenzo Corona was sent off as the 9-5 betting favorite and paid $5.80 to win, $2.80 to place and $2.60 to show. Sweet Bru returned $4 to place and $3 to show, while Zoomin For Grace paid $3.20 to show.

San Lorenzo Corona was bred in Louisiana by Jim and Natalie Montgomery. He is owned by Rogelio Marquez, Jr., trained by Jose Sanchez III and was ridden to victory by Eddie Sanchez. A brother to AQHA Racing Champion Open Me A Corona, the 4-year-old colt is by Coronas Leaving You and is out of the Mr Eye Opener mare, In the Open. He has won five of 12 lifetime starts and the $24,000 first-place purse increases his lifetime earnings to $122,889.

Runner-up Sweet Bru is a Embrujo FG mare owned by Jose Ortiz and trained by Gary Mason. Floiberto Maldonado rode the 5-year-old. Bred by Cleburn L. Baker, Jr., Sweet Bru earned $8,000 for the effort. A multiple stakes winner, she has earned $136,505.

Trainer Alberto Solis saddled third-place finisher Zoomin For Grace for owner Belinda Arriaga. Julien R. Stevens III bred the Zoomin For Bux gelding form the First Down Dash mare Fire And Grace. Ridden by Luis Vivanco, Zoomin For Grace earned $4,400 to push his earnings total to $64,680.

Heza Louisiana Dash, Ms Leaving You, Tf Ms Perrys Runaway, Jrs Corona Shadow, Super Sonic Patriot and Pop Rocket Jess completed the field.

Live racing at Evangeline Downs will resume on Wednesday night with a nine-race program. Post time on Wednesday will be 5:35 pm Central Time.

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For more information on the American Quarter Horse season at Evangeline Downs, visit the track’s website at evdracing.com. Evangeline Downs’ Twitter handle is @EVDRacing and the racetrack is also accessible on Facebook at www.facebook.com/EvangelineDownsRacing.

About Evangeline Downs
Evangeline Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel is owned by Boyd Gaming Corporation, a leading diversified owner and operator of 22 gaming entertainment properties located in Nevada, New Jersey, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. Boyd Gaming press releases are available at www.prnewswire.com. Additional news and information can be found at www.boydgaming.com, or evangelinedowns.com.