News - Racing March  28, 2024

Heza Louisiana Dash Prevails In Opelousas Stakes, Gelding Scores Second Stakes Win Of Season


Heza Louisiana Dash, under jockey John Hamilton, winning the 40,000 Opelousas Stakes at Evangeline Downs on Saturday night.

© Coady Photography

OPELOUSAS, LA—NOVEMBER 12, 2016—TM Ranch’s Heza Louisiana Dash took the lead shortly after the start of the $40,000 Opelousas Stakes at Evangeline Downs on Saturday night and never looked back, winning in a final time of 19.606 seconds for the 400 yards.

That time equaled a speed index of 99 over the fast track for the Kenneth Roberts, Sr. trainee.

A 21-1 longshot, Louisiana Legends, broke on top in the Opelousas Stakes, but was overtaken shortly thereafter by Heza Louisiana Dash, who was ridden to victory by John Hamilton. Louisiana Legends managed to hold on for second, while another 35-1 longshot, Icanonlyemagine, survived a multi-horse photo to finish third. The even-money favorite, Open Me A Corona, did not fire at all and eventually finished eighth in the field of 10.

The win in the Opelousas Stakes gives Heza Louisiana Dash nine wins in 19 lifetime starts and it is the second consecutive stakes win at Evangeline Downs for the 4-year-old gelding this season. He had previously won the $30,000 Amelia Belle Stakes on October 1. The $24,000 first-place purse increases his career earnings to $334,115.

Jumonville Farms and Burnett Ranch bred the son of leading sire Heza Fast Dash in Louisiana from the Mr. Jess Perry mare Eyejesslovelouisiana.

Multiple stakes-placed Louisiana Legends races for owner Alejandro Sanchez, Jr. and trainer Carlos Saldivar. Patton Farms bred the Jet Black Patriot gelding from the Some Dash mare Sheza Cash Dasher. Randy Edison had the riding call to earn $8,000.

Bobby Cox's Icanonlyemagine earned $4,400 for third. Kenneth Roberts, Sr. trains the son of Swingin Jess out of multiple stakes producer Real Or Imagined, by Dash For Cash. Donald Watson was aboard the $183,716 earner.

Heza Louisiana Dash paid $6.20 to win, $4.20 to place and $3.20 to show. Louisiana Legends returned $18.20 to place and $9.00 to show, while Icanonlyemagine paid $6.40 to show.

Running Game Patriot, Heza Bell Perry, Tm Dees Prize, Mda Game, Open Me A Corona, Oak Hill Streak and Scooter Prize completed the field.

Live racing will resume at Evangeline Downs on Wednesday night with a nine-race program. Post time will be 5:35 pm Central Time.

For more information on the American Quarter Horse season at Evangeline Downs, visit the track’s website at evdracing.com. Evangeline Downs’ Twitter handle is @EVDRacing and the racetrack is also accessible on Facebook at www.facebook.com/EvanglineDownsRacing.

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About Evangeline Downs
Evangeline Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel is owned by Boyd Gaming Corporation, a leading diversified owner and operator of 22 gaming entertainment properties located in Nevada, New Jersey, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. Boyd Gaming press releases are available at www.prnewswire.com. Additional news and information can be found at www.boydgaming.com, or evangelinedowns.com

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Courtesy Ses