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LQHBA Breeders' Derby, Leverne Perry Stakes Set for Saturday at Evangeline Downs


Multiple stakes winner Konnan Cartel will head Saturday's 400-yard, $100,000-added Louisiana QHBA Breeders' Derby (RG3) at Evangeline Downs.

© Coady Photography

BY MICHAEL CUSORTELLI

OPELOUSAS, LA–NOVEMBER 14, 2023–Ten state-bred 3-year-olds, led by open graded stakes winner and fastest qualifier Konnan Cartel, are entered back in Saturday's 400-yard, $100,000-added Louisiana QHBA Breeders' Derby (RG3) at Evangeline Downs.

A homebred son of Five Bar Cartel trained by Juan Diaz Jr. for owner Dania Castellanos, Konnan Cartel is coming off of a three-quarter length victory in the last of three trials on November 25. The brown gelding has won three stakes this season, including the open 440-yard, $176,000 Dash For Cash Derby (G2) at Lone Star Park on October 7.

Konnan Cartel drew post 6 and will be ridden by Victor Urieta Jr.

San Lorenzo Jet was a $49,000 purchase by owner Rogelio Marquez Jr. at the 2021 LQHBA Yearling Sale. A son of Jet Black Patriot trained by Jesus M. Marquez, the gelding has made just two official starts this season, but he banked $894,210 from eight races during his juvenile campaign, and he won three graded futurities, including the state's richest Quarter Horse race, the 400-yard, $1-million Louisiana Million Futurity (RG1) at Evangeline Downs.

San Lorenzo Jet drew post 7 and will be ridden by David Alvarez.

Also on Saturday, JEG Fascination is the 5-2 morning-line favorite for the 250-yard, $35,000 Leverne Perry Stakes (R) for Louisiana-breds.

Trained by Jose R. Espinosa for owner Jesus Eden Garza, JEG Fascination boasts a two-race win streak that includes a half-length victory in an open 250-yard, $12,000 allowance dash at Evangeline Downs on November 22. The sorrel daughter of Freighttrain B drew the rail post and will be ridden by Guadalupe Lucio Jr.

All Evangeline Downs races can be seen at Q-Racing Video.com.
 
Courtesy Ses