Sizzlin Stewart Fastest Qualifier To $182,500 EVD Derby, Manuel Gutierrez Rides Three Into Final

OPELOUSAS, LA—NOVEMBER 25, 2017—Sizzlin Stewart, who won the 2016 Old South Futurity at Delta Downs, was the fastest qualifier from eight trials for the $182,500 Evangeline Downs Derby run on Saturday night.

Sizzlin Stewart won the second of the eight trial races on the nine-race program by a length in a time of :19.546 seconds over the fast track, which equals a speed index of 102.

Bred in Texas by Stewart Horses Ltd, the on of multiple stakes sire SIzzlin Cartel is owned by Gerardo Morales, trained by Juan Carrillo, Jr. and was ridden to victory by Manuel Gutierrez.

Out of the Rare Form mare Stone Ginger, the victory was the third in nine lifetime starts for Sizzlin Stewart and the $3,000 first-place purses pushes his career earnings to $64,611.

In addition to the fastest qualifier, jockey Manuel Gutierrez was able to qualify two other horses into the Final of the Evangeline Downs Derby.

Gutierrez rode the winner of the fifth trial, Famousist (see below), who is the fifth-fastest qualifier with a time of :19.582 seconds. He was also aboard Fancy Mamacita, who is the ninth-fastest qualifier with a time of :19.628 seconds.

Dash For Cash Derby(G3) winner Paint My Pilot dug in late in seventh trial to defeat stakes winner Dash Quick Perry by a nose, setting the second fastest time of :19.564 seconds, also a 102-speed index. Four horses qualified from this trial.

Eduardo Morales conditions the Pyc Paint Your Wagon colt for owner Double A Ranch, Inc. Bred in Louisiana by Grant Farms, the half-brother to All American Futurity(G1) winner and multiple stakes sire Mr Piloto was also a finalist the Grade 1 Texas Classic Derby at Lone Star Park last month but did not compete in the final.

Out of the Splash Bac mare Ms Pilot Point, Paint My Pilot was second in the Grade 1 Rainbow Futurity last year and has banked nearly $340,000.

Graded stakes winner Dash Quick Perry held to get the fourth fastest clocking of :19.569 seconds, another 102-speed index. Larry Kopycinski conditions the Texas homebred for owner/breeder Pete Scarmardo.

Ridden by jockey Francisco Calderon, the Down N Dash gelding, out of Quickid Perry by Mr Jess Perry, has earned nearly $160,000. Winner of the Grade 3 Retama Park Derby last summer, Dash Quick Perry was also a finalist in the Texas Classic Derby(G1).

Jockey Gilbert Ortiz rode Texas homebred Eyesa Texan to victory in the opening trial to clock the third fastest time of :19.568 seconds, also a 102-speed index. Trainer John Stinebaugh conditions the Valiant Hero gelding for owner/breeder Garlyn Shelton. The gray gelding was third in the First Down Dash Stakes at Ruidoso Downs last September.

The aforementioned Oklahoma Derby(G3) runner-up Famousist won the fifth trial for owners Denis and Julie Schoenhofer and trainer Jose Gamez. One of three finalist for jockey Manuel Gutierrez, the California-bred son of Separatist is out of the First Down Dash mare Ought To Be Famous. Bred by Steve D. Burns DVM, he has earned $81,492.

Trainer Saul Ramirez, Jr. managed to qualify three of the 10 fastest qualifiers into the Final as well. Ramirez is the conditioner of the co-seventh fastest qualifiers, Jess A Tr and Beaus Famous, who get in with the identical time of :19.623 seconds. He also handles the 10th-fastest qualifier, Apollitical Girl, who qualified with a time of 19.650 seconds. Each of the eight Evangeline Downs Derby trials offered a purse of $5,000 and the Final will offer a purse of $182,500 with the winner receiving $91,250. It will be one of four finals to be run on Saturday, December 16 at Evangeline Downs.

For a complete list of the 10 finalists for the Evangeline Downs Derby, along with their times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys CLICK HERE.

Racing will resume at Evangeline Downs on Wednesday night with an eight-race program. Post time on Wednesday will be 5:35 pm Central Time.

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For more information on the American Quarter Horse season at Evangeline Downs, visit the track’s website at evdracing.com. Evangeline Downs’ Twitter handle is @EVDRacing and the racetrack is also accessible on Facebook at www.facebook.com/EvangelineDownsRacing.

About Evangeline Downs
Evangeline Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel is owned by Boyd Gaming Corporation, a leading diversified owner and operator of 22 gaming entertainment properties located in Nevada, New Jersey, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. Boyd Gaming press releases are available at www.prnewswire.com. Additional news and information can be found at www.boydgaming.com, or evangelinedowns.com.