Opelousas – Track record holder Desert Ransom and fastest filly trial winner I Dare U Em, lead their respective divisions of the D. S. “Shine” Young Memorial Futurity for Louisiana Bred two-year-olds sprinting five furlongs on the main track to be held on Saturday evening, July 28, at Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino. Previously held on Louisiana Legends Night the last weekend of June, the “Shine” was pushed back this year by Evangeline Downs Racing Secretary Coleman Lloyd to give area horsemen more time to get their youngsters ready. Lloyd stated “In recent years, with the increase in purses and more opportunities available in the summer and fall in Louisiana and nearby racing jurisdictions, there has been a shift by horsemen to wait longer before starting up with their two-year-olds and we feel this is a positive move for all parties concerned.”

Desert Ransom, a winner of three straight, including a dominating near double-digit victory in his trial for the “Shine” three weeks ago, figures to be a prohibitive favorite in the colts & geldings division, which will have a total purse of $124,600, while I Dare U Em is the 3-1 choice in the morning-line in the $131,100 filly division after earning the fastest time of the fillies while recording a front-running victory in her trial.

A homebred Gold Tribute colt for Jerry Namy, Desert Ransom has been the talk of the backstretch and the subject of rumors regarding multiple sale offers in the mid-six-figure range after winning his last three starts, all in seemingly easy fashion and including a track record performance of 51.17 seconds for the four-and-one-half furlongs in his maiden victory on May 16 following a third-place finish in his debut at Lone Star Park, also in May. The Karl Broberg trainee will once again have Diego Saenz in the saddle and he has drawn post position ten in the eleven-horse field.



I Dare U Em, trained by Brett Brinkman, who also bred the Lunarpal filly, reportedly worked sensationally over the past weekend working four furlongs in 48 seconds flat. Owned by Jeffrey Quebedeaux, she will be ridden by Gerard Melancon and has drawn post position nine in the twelve-horse field.



Carded as the 8th race on the program, the D. S. “Shine” Young Memorial Filly Division has an approximate post time of 8:35 p.m. Central Time.

Here is the field for the $131,100 D. S. “Shine” Young Memorial Filly Division

Impulsive Bet C. J. McMahon 10/1

1a. Gotta Gut Feelin’ Rex Stokes III 10/1

Dawn’s Cherokee Donnie Meche 6/1

Suitefriendsofmine Diego Saenz 5/1

Stellar Saint Kerwin Clark 12/1

She’s the Shot David Bourque 15/1

Graustarkian Ramsey Zimmerman 15/1

Abajo Sky Jansen Melancon 20/1

Tujuacogofast Colby Hernandez 7/2

Boogie N Again Tracy Hebert 10/1

I Dare U Em Gerard Melancon 3/1

Tracas Eddie Martin Jr. 20/1

Carded as the 10th race on the program, the D. S. “Shine” Young Memorial Colts & Geldings Division has an approximate post time of 9:25 p.m. Central Time.

Here is the field for the $124,600 D. S. “Shine” Young Memorial Colts & Geldings Division

Whispering Charm Donnie Meche 10/1

1a. Senorita’s Sorce Rex Stokes III 10/1

Gutsy Casey Fuselier 8/1

2b. Mr. Bandini’s Band Kevin Smith 8/1

Klozer Tracy Hebert 12/1

Fishin Frank Kerwin Clark 6/1

Mr. Politico Colby Hernandez 30/1

Proust Trey Agilar 6/1

Go Lil Tiger David Bourque 12/1

Desert Ransom Diego Saenz 4/5

Boston Boss Gerard Melancon 20/1