Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeder Association

News - Racing April 16, 2024

Financial Top Surprises in Evangeline Downs 550 Handicap

Financial Top (#3) holds off Th Maverick (#7) and Eagle Deluxe (#8) in a blanket finish to the $20,000 Evangeline Downs 550 Handicap Saturday night at Evangeline Downs.

OPELOUSAS, LA—DECEMBER 14, 2019—At 20-1, Financial Top went wire-to-wire in determined drive under jockey Luis Vivanco to defeat Th Maverick by a head in the $20,000 Evangeline Downs 550 Handicap Saturday night. Eagle Deluxe finished a neck back in third.

Saddled by trainer Adrian Huitron, Financial Top completed the 550 yards in :27.302 seconds, equaling a 98-speed index, to pickup the winner's purse valued at $12,000. It was the eighth career win in 19 starts for the son of leading sire Heza Fast Dash.

Financial Top races for owners Karla Diaz and Gerardo Prado. Bred in Arizona by H & H Racing, Inc., from the Mr Jess Perry mare Financial Leverage, Financial Top has banked $50,910.

The winning connections of Financial Top accept the Evangeline Downs 550 Handicap stakes trophy.
© Coady Photography

Runner-up Th Maverick races for owner Adriana Moreira and is trained by Xavier Alonzo. Bobby D. Cox bred the 5-year-old American Runaway gelding in Texas from the Mr Jess Perry mare Shes Jess Special. Ridden by jockey Ricardo Hernandez, Jr., Th Maverick earned $4,000 to bring his total to $37,005.

Making his first start for owner David Dunn, Eagle Deluxe picked up $2,200 for third. M. Heath Taylor trains the son of leading sire One Dashing Eagle from the Corona Cartel mare Corona Deluxe. Grant Farms LLC is the breeder.

Favorite Kool Cartel, Stone Cold Leader, Flash Moonfire, Tdz Going Nuts, Racing Kane, Jw Losin Control and Ellepradas Jumbo Jet completed the field.

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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/EvangelineDownsRacing.

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.

LQHBA is the official authorized representative of the American Quarter Horse racing and breeding industry in Louisiana, the unified voice of quarter Horse breedings in the State of Louisiana for purposes of communicatting the advantages and rewards of breeding Quarter Horses in the State and for the purposes of a conducting and coordinating activities with breeding and racing agencies.