Wilmington, Del., September 18, 2024 — After posting four career wins in South America, James Wigan and Denford Stud’s Evidencias notched her first victory in North America in the $125,375 Obeah Stakes at Delaware Park today.
With leading jockey Jaime Rodriguez aboard, the 5-year-old daughter of Drosselmeyer, won by 1 ½-lengths and returned $13.20. The Brazil-bred conditioned by Christophe Clement covered the mile and a sixteenth in 1:46.82 over a fast-main track. Venti Valentine, with Paco Lopez, finished second. It was another 2-lengths farther back to the 8-to-5 favorite in the field of eight, Saddle Up Jessie with Sheldon Russell, in third. Hot Fudge Warrior, with Angel Rodriguez, cut early fractions of :48.95 for the half mile and 1:15.60 for the three-quarter miles before finishing sixth.
Prior to the Obeah Stakes, Evidencias had three seconds and three thirds from seven starts stateside including a third-place finish in the $150,000 Ladies Stakes at Aqueduct on January 6. With her victory today, she raised her career record to five wins from 16 starts with earnings of $180,220.
“She broke pretty good today and she put herself in the race from the very beginning,” said winning rider Jaime Rodriguez. “She had a clean trip and down the backstretch we saved some ground. Once we got to the top of the lane, she just broke and I knew we were clear.”
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