News - Racing March  29, 2024

San Lorenzo Scores Second Million-Dollar Futurity Win In Saturday's LQHBA Louisiana Million


San Lorenzo, under jockey David Alvarez, winning the $1,000,000 LQHBA Louisiana Million Futurity(RG1) at Evangeline Downs Saturday.

© Coady Photography

OPELOUSAS, LA—DECEMBER 19, 2020—San Lorenzo, under red-hot rider David Alvarez, won his second million-dollar futurity of the year by defeating Fast Dashin Diamond by a neck in a blanket-finish to the $1,000,000 LQHBA Louisiana Million Futurity(RG1) at Evangeline Downs Saturday night.

Alvarez, who had already won back-to-back stakes on the EVD Saturday card prior to the million, guided San Lorenzo over the 400 yards in :19.408 seconds, equaling a 102 speed index on the sloppy (sealed) racecourse into a 3 mph crosswind.

Trainer Hector Alcala saddled the son of champion sire Coronas Leaving You to his fourth win in six starts this season for owner Rogelio Marquez, Jr. San Lorenzo won the $1,025,782 Lee Berwick Futurity(RG1) in August and was a finalist in the RG1 Laddie Futurity in July. Tonight's $445,000 winner's purse doubled the bay colts earnings total to $993,940.

LQHBA Executive Director Bruce Salard presents the winning connections San Lorenzo the LQHBA Million Futurity stakes trophy Saturday night at Evangeline Downs.
© Coady Photography
"I can hardly believe it, It's so hard to qualify for a million-dollar race, and then to come back and win two Futurities is amazing," Marquez said after the victory.

"We are blessed and thank God. The credit goes to my team and the horse. His heart is bigger than he is! San Lorenzo is named for our hometown in Mexico."

San Lorenzo was the second LQHBA Louisiana Million Futurity winner bred by Jim and Natalie Montgomery from their multiple stakes producing Mr Eye Opener mare In The Open. Champion and first-crop sire Open Me A Corona, a full brother to San Lorenzo, won the 2012 "Louisiana Million".

Marquez, who owns five foals out of In The Open, bought the colt in a private treaty sale from the Montgomery's after they repurchased him for $68,000 at the 2019 LQHBA Yearling Sale.

"We really wanted him at the sale, but Jim and Natalie Montgomery chose to repurchase, so we bought him as a private purchase," Marquez said. "This is the last Louisiana-bred foal from In The Open, so we are glad to put him in the record books. I always thought I could never top Dashnunder Afullmoon; to get another once in a lifetime horse is an incredible blessing."

Fast Dashin Diamond, a $25,000 LQHBA Yearling Sale graduate, earned $220,000 for owner Mo Racing for her second-place effort. Third in the LQHBA Sale Futurity(RG1) in October, the daughter of leading Louisiana sire Heza Fast Dash races for Mo Racing and is trained by Kenneth Roberts, Sr.

Everardo Rodriguez rode the Margie Loup bred filly from the FDD Dynasty mare Diamonds R Forever B. Never off-the-board in six starts this season Fast Dashin Diamond has earned $282,105.

LQHBA Sale Futurity(RG1) winner A Double Corona was a nose off the leaders in third to earn $110,000 for owners Tommy Hays and Bobby Barnett. Trainer Jose Sanchez, III named Eddie Sanchez to ride the son of first-crop sire Open Me A Corona.

Bred by Barnett, from the Dashin Bye mare Corona Dashin Bye, A Double Corona was a $50,000 repurchase at the LQHBA Yearling Sale. The sorrel gelding has banked nearly $340,000 in six starts this season.

San Lorenzo was sent off at odds of 5-1 and returned $12.60 to win, $8.20 to place and $4 to show. Fast Dashin Diamond paid $13.20 to place and $7.40 to show, while the 6-5 betting favorite, A Double Corona, paid $2.10 to show.

Completing the field with purse earnings were Tdz Rolex Rattler ($50,000), Jrs Shiney Tee ($40,000), El Camino Cl ($30,000), Tee Zo ($28,000), Black Blood ($26,500) and Lafitte ($25,500).

Live racing will return to Evangeline Downs with the beginning of the track’s Thoroughbred season, which is scheduled for Wednesday, April 7, 2021.

Additional reporting by Martha Claussen.

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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