LQHBA Louisiana Million Highlights Closing Night Card On Saturday

Fastest qualifier Hoztile Takeover has been set as the 5/2 morning line favorite for the$1,000,000 LQHBA Louisiana Million (RG1) Saturday night at Evangeline Downs.  

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OPELOUSAS, LA—DECEMBER 13, 2023—The $1,000,000 LQHBA Louisiana Million (RG1) is the featured event on the Saturday night card at Evangeline Downs.   The race over the distance of 400 yards is the final event on an 11-race card that is packed with seven stakes races.

Hoztile Takeover has been tabbed as the 5/2 morning line favorite.  The Guillermo Martinez trainee set the fastest qualifying time in the first of 11 heats and watched it hold up.  This is his fourth futurity final of the year and regular rider Ubaldo Luna will be aboard.

One Sweet Sugar, earner of over $500,000 already this year, and Eyesa Freighttrain B, winner of the LA Laddie Futurity at Delta Downs, will draw some wagering attention as well.  Both have won four times this year, which top the Million field.  Jasiel Aquino rides One Sweet Sugar, with Sabino Reyes in the irons aboard Eyesa Freighttrain B.  

Heza Rip, The Knockout Power and Special Wild Train B will look to build off their trial efforts for a big showing in Louisiana’s richest race.

The $100,000-added LQHBA Derby (RG3) at 400 yards will go as race eight on the card.  Konnan Cartel has been set as the 8/5 favorite, while 2022 Million winner San Lorezno Jet is second-choice at 9/5.  The two runners were impressive in their trial victories and look to dominate the wagering.  Cool Ya Jets and Wild Train Fortune are among the runners with upset chances.

The first stakes race of the night is the newly added $35,000 Laverne Perry Stakes at the distance of 250 yards.  The race is named for the former Executive Director of the LQHBA.  Jeg Fascination is the 5/2 morning line favorite and brings a two-race winning streak into the affair.  Jes Winnin Cartel, Ab Chalalo and Eyemax will be looking to capture a stake victory.  The Perry Stakes is race four.

The fifth race on the card is the $50,000 LQHBA Million Invitational.  The race for horses that did not qualify for the Million is at the distance of 400 yards.  A winner of a trial heat, Wild Blue Debutante is the 2-1 favorite.  Separate Em Fast, Hollywood Eagle and five-time winner Roundin Third are some the challengers.

The first of three Louisiana Champions Day stake races goes as the sixth race on the night.  The $100,000-guaranteed Derby (RG3) will be contested over a 400-yard distance.  The ultra-consistent Moonin Rusty, with jockey Juan Francisco Garcia, Jr., looks to be the one to beat. Patty Wagon Train and MP Dont Look are among the rivals looking to take the Derby.

Race seven is the $100,000-guaranteed Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile (RG2) at the distance of 350-yards.  An evenly matched group should make for a competitive event, with Apollitical Force, Cartel Roses Z and Eyesa Just Pretty among the field.

The $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Classic (RG2) makes up the final stake race on the card.  Slated as race nine, the Classic is a battle over the distance of 440 yards.  San Lorenzo Dash, favored in each of his past eight starts, again looks the part as the 2-1 morning line choice.  Lafitte, Lett It Happen and Mr Crawfish are among the runners looking for an upset on the night.

Evangeline Downs will welcome renowned racing publicist Martha Claussen on Saturday Night.  She will be offering her insight and handicapping selections throughout the evening and conducting post-race interviews.

The final Family Night of the season will take place Saturday.  Face painting, balloon animals, a roaming magician and food truck vendors will be a fun addition to the evening.  The “Jockeying for the Cash” challenge is also back for closing night.  Pick the winner of the cartoon race and your name goes in the drawing for a chance in the cash machine. You must be a Boyd Rewards member to enter.

The LQHBA will be sponsoring a $25,000 scholarship giveaway, with six $2,500 and two $5,000 gifts to be awarded in a random drawing.   Registration begins at 4:30pm at the table located in the grandstand on the main floor and closes after the third race.  Louisiana high school seniors graduating in 2024, or students currently enrolled at a Louisiana college or university are eligible.  The drawings will take place after the fifth, seventh and ninth races (approx. times of 6:55, 7:55 and 8:55pm) and entrants must be present to win.

First post for the Saturday night card is a special early start of 5:15pm (CST).

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For more information on the American Quarter Horse season at Evangeline Downs, visit the track's website 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 and Hotel, a property of Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE:BYD), features exciting casino action, live horse racing and fun dining experiences. Evangeline Downs is in Opelousas, Louisiana, off I-49 on Cresswell Lane at Exit 18.