Sir Louisiana Dash Gate-to-Wire Winner of $216,594 LQHBA Breeders’ Derby (RG3) at Evangeline

Sir Louisiana Dash, under jockey David Alvarez, winning the $216,594 LQHBA Breeders' Derby(RG3) Saturday night at Evangeline Downs.

© Coady Photography

OPELOUSAS, LA—DECEMBER 18, 2021—In the $216,594 LQHBA Breeders’ Derby (RG3) at Evangeline on Saturday night, Sir Louisiana Dash broke on top and never looked back to win by three-quarters of a length over a sloppy track.

Sir Louisiana Dash ($14.00) and David Alvarez broke on top and led by a length early in the race. The final time for the 400-yard race was 19.335; the winner earned a 102 speed index.

Hector Alcala trains Sir Louisiana Dash for owner Rogelio Marquez, Jr. He was bred by Tate Farms, by Sir Runaway Dash and out of Ms Proverbial, by Separatist.

LQHBA Executive Director Bruce Salard presents the LQHBA Breeders' Derby stakes trophy to the winning connections of Sir Louisiana Dash on Saturday at Evangeline Downs. © Coady Photography

"I love this horse and have to say that he is one of the top three I have owned, Marquez, Jr. said. "What makes him so special is that he always seem to know when to run his best race. He wasn't the fastest qualifier in the Delta Derby or this final, but he always shows up when it counts!"

Sir Louisiana Dash was the seventh fastest qualifier after finishing fourth in his trial for the LQHBA Breeders’ Derby, one of three trials held on November 27.

In 11 starts, Sir Louisiana Dash has finished in the money nine times and has four wins with $406,715 in earnings, including $96,384 from Saturday night's win. He is a multiple graded stakes winner with victories in the Laddie Futurity (RG1) and Delta Downs Louisiana Bred Derby (RG3). He also finished third in the Louisiana Champions Day QH Juvenile Stakes at the Fair Grounds and in the Mid City Stakes at Evangeline.

Fastest qualifier El Camino Cl finished second with Noe Casteneda aboard; Jose Luis Sanchez, III trains for owner and breeder Delfino Lozano, IV. The Heza Fast Dash colt is out of Eying Miss Perry, by Mr Jess Perry.

El Camino Cl has six wins in 13 starts and has earned $318,329. As a 2-year-old, El Camino Cl won the Mardi Gras Futurity (RG2) at Louisiana Downs. Later that year, he qualified to the Lee Berwick Futurity (RG1) and the LQHBA Louisiana Million Futurity (RG1). This year, he competed in the Delta Downs Louisiana Bred Derby (RG3) and the Mid City Stakes (RG3).

Black Blood was third as the fourth fastest qualifier. Gilbert Ortiz had the call in the final for trainer Michael Zingelmann and owner Rayne Knight.

Black Blood was bred by Erin Chrisman, by Apollitical Blood and out of the multiple graded stakes winning mare Black Rosalita, by Sweet First Down.

In 13 career starts, Black Blood as seven wins and $141,248. The gelding recently finished third in the Delta Downs Louisiana Bred Derby (RG3) and was fourth in the Mid City Stakes (RG3). Last year he qualified to the Laddie Futurity (RG2) and the LQHBA Louisiana Million Futurity (RG1).

Sir Louisiana Dash rewarded backers with a $14 win payout, $7.20 to place and $4.40 to show. El Camino Cl paid a nice $8.60 to place and $6 to show. Black Blood was worth $4.80 to show.

Completing the field were Fireintheblood, Apollitical High, Supa Five Bar, Hes Opentosecrets, Runaway Fast Dash, Jessalilbit and He B Swift.

Additional reporting by Martha Claussen.

Live racing resumes on Monday with a special 4:05pm (CST) first post. The final two weeks of the season will feature a Monday through Thursday racing calendar. The Evangeline Downs Quarter Horse season runs through December 30.