Pk Cure Rogue, under jockey Luis Vivanco, won the $40,000 Opelousas Stakes(RG3) on Saturday at Evangeline Downs.

© Hodges Photography / Amanda Hodges Weir

OPELOUSAS, LA –NOVEMBER 23, 2024–Pk Pure Rogue popped the gates and held on to capture the $40,000 Opelousas Stakes (RG3) Saturday night at Evangeline Downs.  The card also featured four trials for the Evangeline Downs Derby (see related story).  The trials and the stake were held over a track-rated fast on a pleasant fall evening.

Pk Pure Rogue broke sharply and stayed strong in the final yards to win the Opelousas (RG3).  The stake for Louisiana-bred runners, 3-year-olds and upward, was contested at a distance of 400 yards.

Away sharply with rider Luis Vivanco, Pk Pure Rogue was able to find clean running room quickly.  Multiple challengers had chances to catch Pk Pure Rogue as One Sweet Boss, One Dashing Dove, and Patty Wagon Train were in the mix. 

Pk Pure Rogue was able to hold sway and win by a neck over One Sweet Boss.  It was a neck to Patty Wagon Train in third, just another neck better than One Dashing Dove.  The winner stopped the timer in 20.019 seconds and earned a speed index of 87.

Trained by Barbara Alcantara, Pk Pure Rogue wins for the eighth time from 25 career starts.  He earns $24,000 in the victory and increases his career bankroll to $195,635.

Phatt Kat Ranch bred Pk Pure Rogue and is a 4-year-old bay gelding.  By Heza Fast Rogue he is out of the Agouti mare Kinky Boots.

Trainer Phillip Calais, Jr. named jockey Arnulfo Gutierrez to ride runner-up One Sweet Boss for owner-breeder Flying K Ranch LLC. The multiple stakes winner is out of the $190,680 earner from the Rakin In The Cash mare Starlight Bess.

Under jockey Ricardo Hernandez, Jr., Patty Wagon Train finished a neck back to earn $4,400 for third. Orlando Orozco trains the BP Wagon Train filly for owner John T. Sargent. Steven Miller bred Patty Wagon Train from the Game Patriot mare Pattymegone.  She has earned $167,310.

Pk Pure Rogue returned $10.60 for the win, $4.80 to place, and $3.80 to show.  One Sweet Boss returned $3.40 and $2.80, and Patty Wagon Train paid $3.40.

One Dashing Dove, Into The Grey, Tha Duke, Wild Train Fortune, and One Sweet Rouge completed the field.

The Thanksgiving week schedule features racing on Friday and Saturday. The Friday card features trials for the $1,000,000 Louisiana Million with 12 races on the card and a 4:35 pm first post.  The Saturday card includes trials for the LQHBA Breeders Derby and a 5:35 pm first post.  The Evangeline Downs Quarter Horse season runs through December 21.

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.