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Louisiana QHBA Breeders’ Derby Trials Draw 28 State-Bred Sophomores


Multiple stakes winner First Prize Denim is one of 28 state-bred 3-year-olds entered in Friday’s 400-yard Louisiana QHBA Breeders’ Derby (R) trials at Evangeline Downs.

© Coady Photography

BY MICHAEL CUSORTELLI

OPELOUSAS, LA—OCTOBER 24, 2016—First Prize Denim, a multiple graded stakes winning son of world champion Oak Tree Special, is one of 28 state-bred 3-year-olds entered in Friday’s 400-yard Louisiana QHBA Breeders’ Derby (R) trials at Evangeline Downs.

Trained by Martin Trejo for owner Double H Racing Investment LLC, First Prize Denim brings in a three-race win streak that includes a 1 1/4-length victory in the 400-yard, $244,000 Delta Downs Derby (RG3) on July 9. The gelding will be ridden by Manuel Gutierrez from the rail post in the second of four trials.

Bobby D. Cox’s Jessa Louisiana Zoom drew post 4 and will be ridden by Donald Watson in the first trial. Trained by Kenneth Roberts Sr., the Jess Louisiana Blue filly followed a second-place finish to First Prize Denim in the Delta Downs Derby with a half-length win as the 3-5 favorite in the 350-yard, $50,000 Treme Derby (R) at Fair Grounds Racecourse on August 20.

The 10 fastest qualifiers from Friday’s trials will meet in the November 19, $275,000-est. LQHBA Breeders’ Derby final.

All Evangeline Downs races can be seen at Q-RacingVideo.com.


Courtesy Ses