Follow My Wagon Upsets $135,500 Evangeline Downs Derby

OPELOUSAS, LA—DECEMBER 14, 2019—Follow My Wagon was seemingly dismissed by the betting public in the $135,500 Evangeline Downs Derby Saturday night, as he was sent off at odds of 26-1.

However, that didn’t matter to the colt as he won in a five-horse photo finish under veteran rider John Hamilton. Follow My Wagon covered the 400-yard distance in a time of 19.744 seconds, equaling a speed index of 93.

Follow My Wagon was bred in Louisiana by Karen Darling Falgoust. The 3-year-old colt is owned by Julio Cesar Rodriguez and trained by Fernando Lopez. He is by Jls Party Wagon and is out of the First Comment mare, Come An Get Me. Follow My Wagon has now won three races from 17 lifetime starts and the $68,510 first-place purse increases his lifetime earnings to $120,045.

Stakes winner The Grand Legend finished a head back to earn $23,294 for second. James B. Padgett, II trains the son of FDD Going Grand for owner Lives Good Racing Partners LLC> Mercy Hinklins Horse Farm LLC bred the 3-year-old gelding from the Tres Seis mare Legendary Seis. Winner of the Heritage Place Juvenile at 2, The Grand Legend has banked $67,603. Rodrigo Vallejo was riding.

Post-time favorite Sumokeonthewater was another head back in the blanket finish to earn $13,702 for third. Josue Ponce conditions the FDD Dynasty gelding out of the multiple staks winning Country Chicks Man mare Sumokin, for owner Ruse Ranch LLC. Corner K Quarter Horses LLC is the breeder and Manuel Gutierrez had the riding assignment. Sumokeonthewater has earned $91,366.

Mia Jet In, Jordan Eagle, Pritty, Ricardo Cartel, Pilot Points Moon and Patriotic Games completed the field. Tf Rowdy Cartel was scratched.

Live racing at Evangeline Downs will resume in April when the Thoroughbred racing season will begin. Simulcasting will be available every day at Evangeline Downs.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

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.