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EVD Derby Trials Draw 64 Sophomores


Paint My Pilot will be among 64 hopefuls starting in Saturday’s 400-yard EVD Derby trials at Evangeline Downs.

© Dustin Orona Photography

BY MICHAEL CUSORTELLI

OPELOUSAS, LA—NOVEMBER 22, 2017—A total of 64 3-year-olds has been entered in Saturday’s 400-yard EVD Derby trials at Evangeline Downs.

Paint My Pilot, a Louisiana-bred son of Pyc Paint Your Wagon owned by Angel Aguayo’s Double A Ranch Inc., is coming off of a Lone Star Park campaign during which the colt won two of his three starts, including the 440-yard, $213,000 Dash For Cash Derby (G3) on September 30. Paint My Pilot drew post 6 and will be ridden by Yordanis Amaro for trainer Eduardo Morales in the seventh of eight trials.

Ruben Garcia Montemayor’s Eye N Capo drew post 3 and will be ridden by Damian Martinez for trainer Alonso Neri in the third heat. A two-time stakes winner during his 2-year-old campaign, the Capo de Capi gelding has earned $371,660 from seven outs, and he will be making his first start since May 14.

Other prominent sophomores entered in Saturday’s trials include Mega Hero, a Jet Black Patriot gelding who is undefeated in five outs this season. Trained by Saul Ramirez Jr. for owner Double H Racing Investments LLC, Mega Hero won all four of his starts during the Delta Downs meet, including the June 30, $173,000 Firecracker Derby, and the May 12, $63,000 Old South Derby.

Manuel Gutierrez will ride Mega Hero from post 3 in the sixth trial.

The 10 fastest qualifiers will meet in the $50,000-added EVD Derby final on December 16.

All Evangeline Downs races can be seen at Q-RacingVideo.com.


Courtesy Ses