Konnan Cartel Impressive Winner In LQHBA Breeders' Derby Trials

Grade 2 winner Konnan Cartel, under jockey Victory Urieta, Jr., setting the fastest qualifying time for the LQHBA Breeders' Derby(RG3) at Evangeline Downs Saturday night.

© Coady Photography

OPELOUSAS, LA—NOVEMBER 25, 2023—Evangeline Downs held three trials for the LQHBA Breeders Derby on Saturday night.  The finals for the $100,000-added stakes will be contested on Saturday, December 16.

The fastest qualifier for the LQHBA Breeders Derby was the Juan Diaz, Jr. trained Konnan Cartel, winner of the third trial of the night. 

Away sharply with jockey Victor Manuel Urieta, Jr. in the irons, the pair were in complete control from the outset and cruised to win by three-quarters of a length over One Dashing Dove. 

The winner stopped the timer in :19.791 seconds and earned a speed index of 91 over a track rated as fast.

Owned by Dania Castellanos, Konnan Cartel wins for the eighth time from 15 career starts.  The $6,000 earned for the win pushes the Grade 2 Dash For Cash Derby winner's career bankroll to $324,920.

Bred in Louisiana by Luis Armando Castellanos, Konnan Cartel is a 3-year-old brown gelding by Five Bar Cartel, out of the Jet Black Patriot mare Jet Black Chiraq.

Last year's LQHBA Louisiana Million Futurity(RG1) winner San Lorenzo Jet got his first win in two starts this year in the opening trial to record the second fastest time of :19.897 seconds. The son of Jet Black Patriot recovered from an early bump, under jockey David Alvarez, to take control for a 1-1/2 length victory.

Trainer Jesus M. Marquez conditions the $894,210 winner for owner Rogelio Marquez, Jr. Rogers Farms (Tim and Jennie Rogers) bred the two-time restricted Grade 1 winner from the Fly Jess Fly mare Miss Delta Duck.

For a complete list of the 10 fastest qualifiers for the LQHBA Breeders' Derby, including times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys CLICK HERE.

Live racing resumes on Wednesday with a 5:35pm first post. The Evangeline Downs Quarter Horse season runs through December 16.

For more information on Evangeline Downs, visit the track’s website at https://evangelinedowns.boydgaming.com/racing.   

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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.