Donell Blake crossed the finish line aboard TF One Special Jess at Evangeline Downs on Saturday night, winning the Louisiana Champions Day Classic RG2.

© Hodges Photography

OPELOUSAS, LA–DECEMBER 21, 2024–Evangeline Downs' only four-time winner this season, Tf One Special Jess, gets his first stakes victory in the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Classic [RG2] on Saturday.

Tf One Special Jess headed the field from gate to wire with rider Donell Blake controlling the reins. The post-time favorite clocked a 102-speed index in 21.710 seconds, and the 440-yard effort paid $5.80 to win on 9-5 odds.

Trainer Viviane Hill saddled Tf One Special Jess in his fourth consecutive victory for owner McGehee Horse and Cattle LLC. The $45,000 winner's payday boosted his earnings to $120,850.

Tf One Special Jess started his career with one out at Evangeline Downs in 2022. It wasn't until June of 2023 that he broke his maiden, ending that year with two wins from nine total starts.

In 2024, the four-year-old son of One Sweet Jess has won five of six starts and his first career stakes victory. He has a total of seven wins from 15 starts.

Tate Farms bred Tf One Special Jess, who is a half-brother to Grade 1 winner Tf Im That Guy. He is out of the Special Leader stakes-winning mare Tf Ms Special Perry, a half-sister to stakes winner Tf Cajun Cartel, and from the female family of champion Deelish.

Pk Pure Rogue, ridden by Rodrigo Vallejo, finished a strong second one length ahead of Five Bar Jess Cartel and jockey Arturo Alvarez, who placed third.

Trainer Tristan Guadalupe saddled Pk Pure Rogue for owner Jose Rodriguez. The four-year-old son of Heza Fast Rogue has eight wins for 26 starts with $212,635 in the bank.

Phatt Kat Ranch bred the $9,200 LQHBA Yearling Sale graduate out of Kinky Boots by Agouti. Pk Pure Rogue is a three-time stakes winner in 2024, including the Open Me A Corona Stakes [G2], Vals Fortune Stakes [G2] and Opelousas Stakes [G3].

Gerard Hebert bred Five Bar Jess Cartel out of the Tempting Dash mare Jess Tempting To Fly. John Norwood Jr conditions the son of Five Bar Cartel for owner Fausto Mendoza. He has six wins and $151,234 in earnings from 25 starts, including the LQHBA Louisiana Million INvitational Stakes.

One Sweet Boss, Into The Grey, This Train Flies, Sandstone, One Dashing Dove, Masseto and Patty Wagon Train complete the order of finish.

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About Evangeline Downs Racetrack& Casino
Encompassing over 750 acres, Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino, a property of Boyd Gaming Corporation, features over 39,000 square feet of casino space as well a racetrack that boasts state-of-the-art facilities with a 7/8-mile turf track and a one-mile main track. The casino includes over 1,000 slot and video poker machines, two dining options, and plenty of meeting space, including track-side private club suites. Evangeline Downs also includes a newly opened FanDuel Sportsbook. For more information, visit www.evangelinedowns.com and connect on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Founded in 1975, Boyd Gaming Corporation is a leading geographically diversified operator of 28 gaming entertainment properties in 10 states and manager of a tribal casino in northern California. The Company is also a strategic partner and 5% equity owner of FanDuel Group, the nation's leading sports-betting operator.

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