News - Racing March  29, 2024

Sheza Freighttrain T Post Top Mark In $475,851 LQHBA Sale Futurity(RG1) Trials at Evangeline Downs


Sheza Freighttrain T, under jockey Rolando Pina, winning the closing trial by 1-¼ lengths to set the top qualifying time for the $475,851 LQHBA Sale Futurity(RG1) Thursday night at Evangeline Downs.

© Coady Photography

OPELOUSAS, LA—OCTOBER 1, 2020—Making her first start since winning the restricted Grade 2 Lassie Futurity on July 3, Sheza Freighttrian T rolled to a 1-¼ length win in the last of 13 trials Thursday night to set the fastest qualifying time for the $475,851 LQHBA Sale Futurity(RG1) at Evangeline Downs.

The 10 fastest qualifiers will return to Evangeline Downs on Thursday, October 22nd to vie for the $214,132 winners' purse.

Ridden by jockey Rolando Pina, Sheza Freighttrain T completed the 350 yards in :17.277 seconds, equaling a 103 speed index with an 8 mph tailwind, to establish top qualifying spot. Eric Long conditions the daughter of 2020 leading 2-year-old sire of money earners Freighttrain B.

This was one of three winners on the Opening Night program for Pina.

Owner Patrick Richardson paid $50,000 for the for the brown filly from the Carters Cartel mare Cloning Around. Sheza Freighttrain T has won four of five starts this season and her only loss was a second-place effort in the Mardi Gras Futurity(RG2) in March.

Fast Dashin Diamond, under jockey David Alverez, winning the opening trial by 1-¼ lengths, setting the third-fastest qualifying time. © Coady Photography
Bred by Rusty Trahan, Sheza Freighttrain T has earned $235,084.

Runner-up in the final trial to Sheza Freighttrain T, Fast Dash Group held on to the second fastest time of :17.491 seconds, a 96 speed index. M. Heath Taylor saddled the son of Heza Fast Dash for owner Michael Dale Taylor.

Bred by B & G Group Investments, from the Gold Regent (TB) mare Rita Regent, Fast Dash Group has two seconds and third in three starts this year. Gilbert Ortiz had the riding call aboard the $30,000 LQHBA Yearling Sale graduate.

Fast Dashin Diamond was a 1-¼ length winner in the opening trial and held the fastest time throughout the night until the final race. Champion trainer Kenneth Roberts, Sr. saddled the sorrel filly for owner Mo Racing.

The daughter of leading sire Heza Fast Dash broke her maiden in the trials under jockey David Alvarez, while completing the 350 yards in :17.513 seconds, a 95 speed index with a 6 mph tailwind.

Margie Loup bred the $25,000 LQHBA Sale graduate from the FDD Dynasty mare Diamonds R Forever B.

There was a timer malfunction in the first race of the evening, which resulted in that race being hand-timed. Each of the 13 LQHBA Sale Futurity trials offered a purse of $12,000

For a complete list of qualifiers, times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys to the 2020 LQHBA Sale Futurity(RG1) CLICK HERE.

The second 10 fastest qualifiers from the LQHBA Sale trials are preferred invites to the $40,000 LQHBA Sale Juvenile when will also run back on October 22nd.

For a list of those horses CLICK HERE.

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Racing will resume at Evangeline Downs on Friday night with a 10-race program that will include the $25,000 De Saix Stakes, featuring the winner of the Firecracker Futurity (G2), Hes Innocent as the 2-1 morning-line favorite. Post time on Friday will be 5:35 pm Central Time.

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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.


Courtesy Ses