Tdz Moms Patriot Captures The $41,500 Evd Open Graduation

Tdz Moms Patriot (#1), under jockey Ubaldo Luna, winning the $41,500 Open Graduation Stakes (not black type) at Evangeline Downs Saturday night.

© Coady Photography

OPELOUSAS, LA—OCTOBER 28, 2023—The Saturday night card at Evangeline Downs featured a pair of stake races as Tony Doughtie’s Tdz Moms Patriot was victorious in the newly added $41,500 EVD Open Graduation and One Fast Cajun dominated in the $35,000 Races and Aces (see related story). 

The races were contested in some ideal fall weather and on a track rated as fast.

Dress Me in Blue and Tdz Moms Patriot were both away in good order in the Open Graduation and hooked up in an early battle. Apollitical Delight and Polita Chick also joined in the early fray. 

The winning connections of Tdz Moms Patiort accept the Open Graduation Stakes trophy on Saturday night at Evangeline Downs. © Coady Photography

Jockey Ubaldo Luna, a winner of four races on the night, and Tdz Moms Patriot surged forward at the midway point and battled on for a half-length victory over Dress Me in Blue, second by a nose in a photo with Apollitical Delight. 

The winner, trained by Danny Hoda, stopped the timer in 17.863 seconds for the 350 yards and earned a speed index of 84.  The EVD Open Graduation was restricted to 3 and 4-year-old runners that were maidens as of July 1.

Bred by the owner, Tdz Moms Patriot is a 3-year-old black filly sired by Jet Black Patriot and is out of the Mr Jess Perry mare Jess Watch Me Mom.  The win is her third from eight starts and the winning share of $20,750 increases her career earnings to $45,790.

Tdz Moms Patriot returned $11.40 to win, $6 to place and $3.80 to show.  Dress Me in Blue paid $6.60 to place, $3.40 to show and Apollitical Delight paid $2.60 to show.

Runner-up Dess Me In Blue got the nod for second, under jockey Guadalupe Lucio, Jr., to pick up $7,055 for owner-breeder Paul Daigle. Phillip Calais, Jr. trains the Jess Louisiana Blue gelding out of Tete File by Game Patriot. He has earned $$42,44 in 12 career starts.

Just missing from the outside post, Apollitical Delight earned $4,150 for third. Champion trainer Kenneth Roberts, Sr. conditions the son of multiple stakes sire Apollitical Blood for the Kenneth Roberts Racing Stables, Inc. Simmons racing bred the bay gelding from the Tres Seis mare Peacefull Delight.

Fastest qualifier Flashy Dynasty was fourth followed by Polita Chick, Apollitical Sire, Won My Heart, Corona Especiall, Piloto Warrior and Palmero Fantasy completed the field.

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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.

Louisiana Million night on December 16th highlights the 46-day 2023 Quarter Horse season at Evangeline Downs.