Separate Em Fast Wins $50,000 LQHBA Louisiana Million Invitational

Separate Em Fast, under jockey Rene Hernandez, drives down the inside to rail to win the $50,000 LQHBA Louisiana Million Invitational Saturday at Evangeline Downs.

© Coady Photography

OPELOUSAS, LA—DECEMBER 16, 2023—Separate Em Fast (9-1) showed early speed then held on to win the $50,000 LQHBA Louisiana Million Invitational, for 2-year-old's who failed to qualify for the "Louisiana Million Futurity", Saturday night at Evangeline Downs.

Under jockey Rene Hernandez Separate Em Fast covered the 400 yards in :19.971 seconds, equaling an 86 speed index over a sloppy (sealed) racetrack. It was the third win in nine career starts and the $30,000 winner's purse nearly doubled his bankroll to $63,490.

Brenda Foster conditions the daughter Fast N Famous Eagle for owner Hiberto Guzman. Jerry Deville, Jr. bred the bay filly from the Separatist mare Separate Em Josie.

Runner-up Hollywood Eagle was pinched early under jockey Guadalupe Lucio, Jr. then rallied to earn $10,000 for second. Teddy Guy, Jr. trains the son of champion Moonin The Eagle for owner Glenn Jackson. Richard and Janelle Simon bred Hollywood Eagle from the Royal Quick Dash mare Royal Quick Jo  Z. Third in the Louisiana Juvenile earlier this year the 2-year-old has earned $40,540 in nine starts.

The winning connections of Separate Em Fast accept the LQHBA Louisiana Million Invitational stakes trophy Saturday night at Evangeline Downs. © Coady Photography

Robbiesdashingleagle bobbled leaving the gate but finished half-a-length back to earn $5,500 for third. Ray Majo saddled the One Dashing Eagle filly for owner Luis Armando Castellanos. Kary Neil La Fluer bred the Robbiesdashingleagle from the Spit Curl Jess mare Fast Prize Robbie. Ublado Luna rode the $41,700 earner.

Sia Cartel Dollar, wild Blue Debutant, Roundin Third and Apolitical Train completed the field.

Additional reporting by Martha Claussen.

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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.