Former Claimer Rf Fast Dash N Jess Wins $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day QH Derby (RG3)

Rf Fast Dash N Jess, ridden by Arturo Alvarez, won the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Derby (RG3) by 1/2-length at Evangeline Downs on Saturday evening.

DECEMBER 17, 2022 – OPELOUSAS, LA – The fourth of seven stakes celebrating Louisiana-breds at Evangeline was the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day QH Derby (RG3), in which Rf Fast Dash N Jess defeated Bye Corona.

Rf Fast Dash N Jess ($13.00) broke on top and ran 400 yards in 19.654 to earn a 94 speed index. The race gave jockey Arturo Alvarez his second win on the card.

The One Sweet Jess gelding is proof that claiming can be a profitable venture; current owners CB Racing Stables claimed him for just $10,000 at Delta in August. Since the claim, he has rattled off three consecutive wins, including Saturday’s Derby victory.

The winning connections of Rf Fast Dash N Jess accept the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Derby Stakes (RG3) trophy at Evangeline Downs on Saturday night.
© Coady Photography

The Derby was the first stakes attempt for Rd Fast Dash N Jess and he brought home the winner’s share of $45,000. He is four for 14 lifetime with $89,151 in earnings.

Rf Fast Dash N Jess is trained by Edgar Espino. He was bred by Tim and Jennie Rogers of Rogers Farm, out of the multiple graded stakes placed mare Fast Dash N Deb, by Heza Fast Dash.

Bye Corona finished a half-length behind the winner and over a length ahead of Lrh Heart of Glass in third. He is now stakes placed in his first career stakes appearance.

Juan Pulido had the call on the 3-year-old gelding for trainer Fernando Valdez and owner Alexander Carreon Mendez.

Bye Corona was bred by Bobby Barnett, by Open Me a Corona and out of graded stakes placed Corona Dashin Bye, by Dashin Bye.

In 11 lifetime starts, Bye Corona has won three races and has earned $57,560.

Lrh Heart of Glass is multiple stakes placed, including a runner-up performance in the Audubon Stakes this fall at Delta. The Five Bar Cartel filly has won six of her 16 starts and earned $110,932 for owner Carlos Campos. Ricardo Hernandez, Jr. was aboard for trainer Josue Huitron.

Lrh Heart of Glass was bred by Jetty and Donald Lemaire, out of Lrh Heartofanoak, by Oak Tree Special.

Completing the field were Rm Super Angel, Heza Louisianna Man, Patriotic Trump, San Lorenzo Dash, Railroad Jimmy and Never Sweet. Jj Coronas Star was scratched.