Hurricane Bluff ($8.80) led all the way en route to recording his first career stakes win in the $50,000 Inaugural Stakes for three-year-olds at Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino on Wednesday, the opening night of the 2012 spring/summer thoroughbred racing season. Taking advantage of a quick start under veteran jockey Kirk LeBlanc, the Louisiana bred Richter Scale gelding opened up a solid lead in the early stages and after setting sharp fractions of 21.55 & 44.65 was able to hold on by one length over the late charging Speargun. The running time for the six furlongs on a track labeled fast was 1:10.22.

Courtesy Cat, the 1.80 to 1 post-time favorite checked in third, 3 ½ lengths behind the runner-up and ½ clear of 4th place finisher Masculino. Broadway King was next across the finish line in 5th, followed by Durango Tango, Immaculate, and Full Pardon.

Owned by his breeder Chad White, Hurricane Bluff earned $30,000 for the win, his third in four career starts and first in a black-type event. Trained by Frank Trosclair, he has now bankrolled more than $83,000.

Racing continues on a four-evening a week schedule, Wednesday thru Saturday with a post time for of 5:40 pm, Central Time.