News - Racing March  29, 2024

Ho Lotta Game Goes Gate to Wire in Louisiana Million Invitational Stakes


Jockey Noe Casaneda boots Ho Lotta Game home in the $40,000 Louisiana Million Invitational Stakes.

© Coady Photography

OPELOUSAS, LA—DECEMBER 16, 2017—The second race on Louisiana Millions Night at Evangeline rewarded Louisiana-bred 2-year-olds who competed in trials for the Louisiana Million but did not qualify for the final. Ho Lotta Game ($7.60) broke well and maintained his position to win $40,000 Louisiana Million Invitational Stakes by a head.

Noe Castaneda brought Ho Lotta Game home in 19.938 to earn a 92 speed index in the 400-yard event. The post-time co-favorite had won his trial on November 17 to be the 14th fastest qualifier.

The winning connections of Ho Lotta Game take home the Louisiana Million Invitational Stakes trophy Saturday at Evangeline Downs. © Coady Photography

Ho Lotta Game was bred by Robert Touchet and Darrel Williams. The gelded son of Game Patriot is out of Ho Lotta Speed, by Streakin La Jolla. Bruce Bell trains for owner Juan Portillo.

Ho Lotta Game has now won four of his seven career starts and has earned $45,720. Though he has competed in four futurity trials, Saturday night’s event was his first appearance in a stakes race.

Tracking Ho Lotta Game throughout the entire race was Sta Rich Runaway, who finished well to end a head behind the winner and a half-length ahead of third place finisher First Down Achilles.

Sta Rich Runaway was ridden by Antonio Alberto for trainer Donald Rubin. The 2-year-old gelding is a homebred for Sta Rich Racing Llc, by Sir Runaway Dash and out of the Toast to Dash mare Toast to Hailey.

Sta Rich Runaway made just his fourth lifetime start in Saturday’s Invitational. Though still a maiden, he has finished no worse than third in his career to date.

Third-place finisher First Down Achilles also won his trial and was the 12th fastest qualifier to the Louisiana Million. Saul Ramirez, Jr. trains for owners Alberto and Pedro Cruz; Randy Edison had the call.

First Down Achilles was bred by Lester Faul, Jr. The gelding is by Corona Caliente and is out of Shes a Super Girl, by Dashin Bye. First Down Achilles entered the race with a two-win streak and has only finished off the board in one of his seven career starts.

Completing the field were Gunna Be Alright, Ds Zoomin With Game, A Blue Beauty, Streaking Ragazzo, Tv Toast to Game and Mr Coco Pilota. Second Down Leaving was scratched.


Courtesy Ses