Evidencias breaks through in Obeah
Evidencias snapped her losing streak in style, bursting through a seam in mid-stretch to prevail in the $125,000 Obeah Stakes at Delaware Park Wednesday.
The win was her first in eight starts since coming to the United States from her native Brazil. There she had been a two-time graded stakes winner, but since coming to the US her best outings had been a pair of third-place finishes in stakes company, most recently in the Caesar’s Wish August 4 at Laurel Park.
“I think [the connections] were hoping she would hit the board,” said Ed Haney, assistant to trainer Christophe Clement. “They knew she’d run really well.”
Stretching-out sprinter Hot Fudge Warrior, second in the 6 ½-furlong Shine Again at Timonium last out, was quickest leaving the gate, while Venti Valentine (Paco Lopez up), who also figured to be active in the early running, was away slightly slowly and squeezed back before recovering.
Hot Fudge Warrior, with Angel Rodriguez up, carved out a half-mile in 48.95 seconds and three quarters in 1:15.60 with the favorite, the Brittany Russell-trained Saddle Up Jessie with Sheldon Russell up, her nearest pursuer and just a half-length back after three quarters.
Venti Valentine was another two lengths back in third at that point, while Evidencias, seventh early, was in fourth, four lengths behind the leader.
Hot Fudge Warrior faded from the scene in the lane, but while Saddle Up Jessie put a head in front in mid-stretch, it was Evidencias, with Jaime Rodriguez in the irons, who was going best of all. Evidencias sliced between rivals, with Venti Valentine to her outside, overhauled the leader and went on to win by 1 ½ lengths, with Venti Valentine second and Saddle Up Jessie two lengths farther back in third.
“She broke good, and she got a clean trip the whole way,” Rodriguez said. “Once I got the opportunity to get out in the clear at the top of the lane, she kicked in and she exploded.”
Running time for the 1 1/16 miles over a fast main track was 1:46.82.
Evidencias paid $13.20 to win and topped an exacta that returned $32.10 on a one-dollar wager. It was her fifth career win from 16 starts and pushed her bankroll to just more than $180,000. A five-year-old Drosselmeyer mare, Evidencias is owned by James Wigan and Denford Stud.
The win was one of five on the day for Jaime Rodriguez.
Helenortiz, Miss New York, Reclusive, and Sweet Alyssa were scratched, leaving a field of eight.
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