Race 5 at Evangeline Downs is 5 furlongs and features eight horses in the field. It’s a Maiden Special Weight $24,000 for 3,4 and 5 year olds. I looked over a fair amount of data today and it looks like a strong consensus is on My Boy Lucus (6-1) and Peruvian Legend (8-1). The field features two first time starters—Great Claude (3-1) and Cell Block Three (10-1). The favorite, my pick, is Shakin Off at 5-2.

Shakin Off is a three year old gelding. His last race was on June 14 at Evangeline Downs. It was the same type of race as this one and the field was 9. He battled early and made a run of it. He ended up with a second place finish. His blinkers will be on today and I think he’s primed to win this race. I think 5 furlongs is right up his alley.

If you are into first time starters, perhaps Great Claude is your horse. He’s in the 7 position. His trainer is Breaux Samuel who’s finishing in the money at a 14% clip at Evangeline Downs. His jockey, K D Clark, is finishes in the money 19% of the time at Evangeline Downs. Great Claude will be running a little heavier. He’s at 123. Also he is on Lasix.

I expect Shakin Off to get more action. We might see him go off at 2-1. I am actually looking for Hunt for Heaven (8-1) to take an early lead. Hunt for Heaven should fade away though. Shakin Off should just a bit too much.