Leaving Coyame Best In Mid City Stakes

Leaving Coyame delivered his best stride late to capture the $50,000 Mid City Stakes on Saturday at Delta Downs.

Ridden by Eddi Martinez, Leaving Coyame dueled for the lead in the 440-yard event before edging clear late to score by a half-length. The 4-year-old gelding stopped the clock in :21.846, earning a 101 speed index.

Luis Martinez Jr. trains Leaving Coyame for owner and breeder Carlos Levario. The Louisiana-bred gelding is sired by Coronas Leaving You and out of the Mr Eye Opener mare Dressed To Kill. He now has a record of 24-6-1-5, and the $30,000 winner's share boosted his career earnings to $156,775.

Leaving Coyame entered the race off back-to-back third-place finishes in the Esplanade Stakes and Louisiana Classic Stakes (G2). Last year, he won the Louisiana Champions Day Derby (G3).

Tm Back To Perry finished second under Everardo Rodriguez for owner Cesar Segura and trainer Rogelio Huitron. The 4-year-old gelding made a steady gain to finish a half-length behind the winner in :21.924. Bred by Two The Max Investments LLC, he is sired by You Drive I Fly and out of the Royal Quick Dash mare Backs To The Wall. Tm Back To Perry now has a record of 15-5-4-1 with earnings of $88,180.

Engine Victory finished third under Ubaldo Luna for owner Rene Adan Rodriguez and trainer Luis Martinez Jr. After dueling early, the 6-year-old gelding finished three-quarters of a length behind Tm Back To Perry in :22.062. Bred by Gary Aber, Engine Victory is sired by Freighttrain B and out of the Stoli mare Stoli Victory. He now has a record of 39-7-5-6 with earnings of $154,370. He entered the race off a runner-up effort in the Esplanade Stakes and previously finished fifth in the Louisiana Classic Stakes (G2).

Rogues Fast Prize and Tdz Thelouisianawave completed the order of finish. Dropping Dimes, Power By Black and San Lorenzo Luna were scratched.

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