Queen Washita Rules The $257,650 Evangeline Downs Futurity
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Queen Washita broke very well and was in contention right from the start, taking the lead early on and coasting to victory under the ride of Manuel Guiterrez. The Adrian Huitron trainee finished the 400 yards on a fast track in a time of 19.930 seconds, which was a speed index of 90. It was the third victory in eight lifetime starts for the filly. She earned $128,825 for the win, boosting her lifetime earnings to $142,780.
Queen Washita is a 2-year-old filly bred in Oklahoma by Andrew T. Smith. She is by Inseperable out of the Jess Louisiana Blue mare, Queens Magnolia.
The lightly raced Catching Fire Corona picked up $43,801 for his second place effort. Leading trainer Robert Touchet conditions the Fire And Corona gelding for owner/breeder Hector Salinas, Jr. Out of the Special Leader mare Oh Special Bay, Catching Fire Corona has compiled a (4) 2-1-0 record and earned $58,896 this season. He broke his maiden in first start at Gillespie Fairground last summer and won a Speed Index Final race in his previous starts before coming to Evangeline.

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Scarmardo bred Dash Don’t Cheat in Texas from the Jess Special mare Special Cheat. He picked up $25,767 to bring his earnings total to $82,224.
Chart information from Equibase had not been published following the race so the remaining order of finish will be posted when it becomes available.
The wagering public sent Queen Washita off as the 5-2 betting favorite and she paid $7.40 to win, $4.60 to place and $3.20 to show. Catching Fire Corona paid $4.80 to place and $3.00 to show. Dash Don’t Cheat returned $2.80 to show.

© Coady Photography
Saturday was the final night of the 2015 American Quarter Horse season at Evangeline Downs. Live racing will resume on April 6, 2016 with the return of Thoroughbred racing, which will run for 84 nights through August 27.