Rdd Empire Builder Goes Gate-to-Wire in $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day QH Classic (RG2)

Rdd Empire Builder, piloted by Arturo Alvarez, won the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Classic (RG2) by 3/4-length at Evangeline Downs on Saturday evening.

© Coady Photography

DECEMBER 17, 2022 – OPELOUSAS, LA – Stakes at Evangeline continued on Saturday night with the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day QH Classic (RG2), in which Rdd Empire Builder earned his first stakes victory and jockey Arturo Alvarez won his third race on the card.

Rdd Empire Builder ($13.00) led from the break and extended his lead to three-quarters of a length by the end of the 440-yard stake for 4-year-old and up Louisiana-breds. He earned a 108 speed index with his time of 21.446; the top five finishers each earned a triple digit speed index.

The 5-year-old gelding added $45,000 to his career earnings, which now total $124,820 from 19 starts and six wins.

Riley Aguilar trains Rdd Empire Builder for owner R C Stables LLC. He was bred by Richard Dale Domingue, by Jess Louisiana Blue and out of Jacquie O, by Corona Cartel.

The winning connections of Rdd Empire Builder accept the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Classic Stakes (RG2) trophy at Evangeline Downs on Saturday night.
© Coady Photography

Lifeinthefastlanes led the field for second place with Benito Baca in the irons for trainer Kenny Roberts, Sr. The defending champion and multiple graded stakes winner has earned $547,281 in 21 starts with 11 wins, including the Opelousas Stakes (RG3) and the Delta Downs Louisiana Bred Derby (RG3).

Lifeinthefastlanes is owned by Paragon Farms LLC and was bred by Wade Jr and Kay Loup. He is a 5-year-old gelded son of Jess Louisiana Blue, out of the Panther Mountain mare Pantherinthefastlane, also a multiple stakes winner.

Jrs Coronas Toast, the highest price in the field, was up for third under jockey Gilbert Ortiz. Paul Rigdon trains the gelding and also co-owns with Gyth Rigdon, Gerardo Gonzales and Juan Luis Fernandez.

Jrs Coronas Toast is a 5-year-old son of Coronas Leaving You, bred by Julien Stevens, III, out of the Toast to Dash mare Egos Toast to Dash.

In 33 starts, he has two wins and 12 second places finishes with $119,354 earned. He is multiple stakes placed, including a third-place finish in the Louisiana Classic Stakes (RG2) at Delta in July.

Completing the field were Tuckers Prize, Dashing Jess Cuervo, Hezaa Fast Boy, Jessalilbit and Jj Heza Fast Dash Jr. One Fast Perry and Five Bar Miracles were scratched.