Evangeline Downs Race 9 - 6 1/2f Stakes
CLOSING WITH HONOR (3) sets the standard after a narrow 2nd at Evangeline Downs over 1207m, beaten 0.1L, and a prior 2nd over 1006m; draws better and looks ready. MAKE ME A DEAL (6) appeals as the main danger off a Fair Grounds 1207m 3rd, beaten 2.5L, and gets a weight drop. ZYANARO (1) has a Delta Downs 1006m 2nd earlier this year and the inside draw. AZTECA STORM (2) was 4th at Fair Grounds over 1207m, beaten 3.5L, and can be around the mark.
Jockey: Casey Fusilier
Weight: 55.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Back in trip after a 1609m SY run at Evangeline Downs on 8 May when 7th of 9, beaten 12.8L after racing handy. Best recent effort was two back at Delta Downs over 1006m on 5 Feb, 2nd by 0.8L to Dauntless Star at $7. Draws barrier 1 and rises to 55.5kg with Casey Fusilier up for Phillip Mark Dison. Can feature with a soft run from the inside draw.
Last Starts 21 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7/9 | 08/05/2026 | - | MDN Claiming 64 | $0.00 | Evangeline Downs | 1609m | SY | Misael Alvarez | 50.200000047683716kg | - | 2-2-2-5 | 3 |
| 12.8L | $0.00 |
| 9/12 | 17/04/2026 | - | MDN Claiming 64 | $0.00 | Evangeline Downs | 1207m | FT | Thomas L Pompell | 55kg | - | 11-12-11 | 8 |
| 16L | $0.00 |
| 2/7 | 05/02/2026 | - | MDN Claiming 63 | $0.00 | Delta Downs | 1006m | FT | Johan Rengifo | 55kg | - | 5-5-4 | 1 |
| 0.8L | $7.00 |
| 8/9 | 21/01/2026 | - | MDN Special Weight 71 | $0.00 | Delta Downs | 1509m | SY | Thomas L Pompell | 55kg | - | 5-7-7 | 9 |
| 27.3L | $26.00 |
Jockey: Kevin Roman
Weight: 55.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Comes off a 27-day break after finishing 7th at Evangeline Downs over 1207m on 2 May, beaten 13.8L after racing handy from barrier 2 with 55kg. Best recent run was 4th of 8 at Fair Grounds over 1207m on 22 Mar, beaten 3.5L at $26 when tracking the speed. Blinkers go on and draws barrier 2 again for Kevin Roman for Emile Schwandt, up 0.5kg. Needs to lift but can improve with the gear change and soft run in transit.
Last Starts 27 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7/9 | 02/05/2026 | - | MDN Claiming 62 | $0.00 | Evangeline Downs | 1207m | FT | Kevin Roman | 55kg | - | 2-2-5 | 2 |
| 13.8L | $0.00 |
| 4/8 | 22/03/2026 | - | MDN Claiming 59 | $0.00 | Fair Grounds | 1207m | FT | Isaac Castillo | 53kg | - | 3-3-3 | 1 |
| 3.5L | $26.00 |
| 10/10 | 20/02/2026 | - | MDN Claiming 59 | $0.00 | Fair Grounds | 1106m | FT | Isaac Castillo | 53kg | - | 5-6-9 | 10 |
| 20.3L | $29.00 |
| 8/8 | 23/01/2026 | - | MDN Claiming 62 | $0.00 | Fair Grounds | 1207m | FT | H Javier Hernandez | 53kg | - | 4-5-6 | 6 |
| 27L | $41.00 |
| 8/8 | 28/12/2025 | - | MDN Claiming 62 | $0.00 | Fair Grounds | 1207m | FT | Ben Curtis | 54.5kg | - | 5-8-8 | 8 |
| 55.8L | $4.00 |
Jockey: Jansen Melancon
Weight: 55.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Comes off a narrow 2nd at Evangeline Downs over 1207m on 14 May, beaten 0.1L after leading turning in, with 55kg on FT. Also ran 2nd there over 1006m on 23 Apr, beaten 3.8L, with 55.5kg on FT. Three-year-old gelding by Closing Argument; Allen Ray Landry trains with Jansen Melancon up and blinkers listed. From barrier 3 and racing consistently at this track, can feature with the right run.
Last Starts 15 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/12 | 14/05/2026 | - | MDN Claiming 53 | $0.00 | Evangeline Downs | 1207m | FT | Jansen Melancon | 55kg | - | 4-3-1 | 10 |
| 0.1L | $0.00 |
| 2/10 | 23/04/2026 | - | MDN Claiming 54 | $0.00 | Evangeline Downs | 1006m | FT | Jansen Melancon | 55.5kg | - | 5-4-3 | 3 |
| 3.8L | $0.00 |
| 7/12 | 09/04/2026 | - | MDN Claiming 59 | $0.00 | Evangeline Downs | 1006m | FT | Chris R Rosier | 56kg | - | 9-6-4 | 7 |
| 5.7L | $0.00 |
| 4/9 | 08/03/2026 | - | MDN Claiming 59 | $0.00 | Fair Grounds | 1207m | GD | Chris R Rosier | 55.5kg | - | 5-6-6 | 4 |
| 2.6L | $21.00 |
| 4/10 | 21/02/2026 | - | MDN Claiming 66 | $0.00 | Delta Downs | 1308m | FT | Chris R Rosier | 55kg | - | 4-3-5 | 6 |
| 3.8L | $3.75 |
Jockey: Elio Barrera
Weight: 55.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Three-year-old colt by Ocean Knight for Ronnie Averett, drawn barrier 4 with Elio Barrera up at 55.5kg. USA-bred out of Paige's Colors. Setup looks straightforward from a handy gate. Can feature with the right run.
Jockey: Efigenio Ruiz
Weight: 55.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Third-up 3yo colt for Isai V. Gonzalez, blinkers on. Last start 11th of 12 at Evangeline Downs over 1207m on 14 May, beaten 12.2L on FT, after settling last with 55kg. Prior run 8th of 10 at Delta Downs over 1308m on 21 Feb, beaten 18.5L at $21. Barrier improves from 9 to 5; needs sharp lift but can improve.
Last Starts 15 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11/12 | 14/05/2026 | - | MDN Claiming 53 | $0.00 | Evangeline Downs | 1207m | FT | Efigenio Garcia Ruiz | 55kg | - | 12-12-12 | 9 |
| 12.2L | $0.00 |
| 8/10 | 21/02/2026 | - | MDN Claiming 66 | $0.00 | Delta Downs | 1308m | FT | Efigenio Garcia Ruiz | 55kg | - | 10-10-9 | 1 |
| 18.5L | $21.00 |
Jockey: Kelvin Arana
Weight: 53kgs
Stats
Comments
Second-up from a 36-day break after an 8th of 9 at Evangeline Downs over 1207m on 23 Apr, beaten 15L on FT, with 55kg. Prior run was better: 3rd of 9 at Fair Grounds over 1207m on 8 Mar, beaten 2.5L on GD at $6 after making ground from back. Drops 2kg to 53kg and draws barrier 6; blinkers go on. Can feature with improvement back to recent Fair Grounds form.
Last Starts 36 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8/9 | 23/04/2026 | - | MDN Claiming 57 | $0.00 | Evangeline Downs | 1207m | FT | Junior Inirio | 55kg | - | 4-6-7 | 8 |
| 15L | $0.00 |
| 3/9 | 08/03/2026 | - | MDN Claiming 59 | $0.00 | Fair Grounds | 1207m | GD | Mitchell Murrill | 54.5kg | - | 8-5-3 | 2 |
| 2.5L | $6.00 |
| 4/6 | 07/02/2026 | - | MDN Claiming 53 | $0.00 | Fair Grounds | 1207m | FT | Sofia Vives | 54.5kg | - | 6-6-6 | 3 |
| 3.6L | $13.00 |
| 6/9 | 18/01/2026 | - | MDN Claiming 58 | $0.00 | Fair Grounds | 1106m | FT | Sofia Vives | 54.5kg | - | 4-4-5 | 6 |
| 10.9L | $26.00 |
| 8/10 | 27/12/2025 | - | MDN Claiming 46 | $0.00 | Fair Grounds | 1207m | FT | Sofia Vives | 54.5kg | - | 10-10-9 | 2 |
| 20.3L | $8.50 |
Jockey: Devin Magnon
Weight: 55.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Back in trip 302m after two mile runs. Last start 8th of 9 at Evangeline Downs over 1609m on 25 Apr, beaten 25.8L in Maiden Claiming, with 55kg. Prior effort 9th of 10 in a Maiden Special Weight there over 1609m on 11 Apr, beaten 44L after racing handy early. Blinkers go on and draws barrier 7; can improve.
Last Starts 34 days since last start
| Place | Date | Days | Class | Prize | Track | Dist. | Cnd. | Jockey | Weight | Race Time | In Run | Gate | Result | Margin | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8/9 | 25/04/2026 | - | MDN Claiming 71 | $0.00 | Evangeline Downs | 1609m | FT | Julio Ramirez Jr | 55kg | - | 7-6-8-8 | 6 |
| 25.8L | $0.00 |
| 9/10 | 11/04/2026 | - | MDN Special Weight 81 | $0.00 | Evangeline Downs | 1609m | FT | Kevin Roman | 55.5kg | - | 2-3-9-9 | 2 |
| 44L | $0.00 |
| 10/10 | 08/03/2026 | - | MDN Special Weight 83 | $0.00 | Fair Grounds | 1006m | SY | Kevin Roman | 53kg | - | 9-8-8 | 5 |
| 9.4L | $34.00 |
Jockey: Theodrick Ledet
Weight: 55.5kgs
Stats
Comments
Three-year-old gelding by Catholic Boy out of Sikara. Draws barrier 8 with 55.5kg for jockey Theodrick Ledet and trainer Roland L. Bruno. Setup looks straightforward. Can feature with the right run.