Trainer Zackary Stinebaugh Saddles EVD Derby Tri-Fecta, B Leaving Leaves Competitors In The Dust

B Leaving, under jockey Gilbert Ortiz, dominates the $124,290 EVD Derby at Evangeline Downs Friday night.

© Coady Photography

OPELOUSAS, LA—DECEMBER 16, 2022—Graded stakes winner and fastest qualifier B Leaving stumbled at the start but recovered quickly to roll to a dominating 2-1/4 length win Friday night in the $124,290 EVD Derby at Evangeline Downs.

Trainer Zackary Stinebaugh not only got his first career stakes win, but also sent out second and third finishers Hes Jess Dealin and Secret Romeo. Zachary is the son of longtime leading Quarter Horse trainer John Stinebaugh.

As the heavy post-time favorite under jockey Gilbert Ortiz, B Leaving  completed the 400 yard task in :19.5879 seconds, equaling a 96 speed index, to pick up the winner's purse valued at $62,145.

Stinebaugh saddled the son of Valiant Hero to his sixth career win for owner Alfredo Rodriguez. Bred in Oklahoma by the Homer Hill Estate, B Leaving is out of the Mr Jess Perry mare Jess B Mighty.

The winning connections of B Leaving accept the EVD Derby stakes trophy at Evangeline Downs Friday night.
© Coady Photography

He won the Adequan Ruidoso Downs Derby Challenge last summer and was second in the Grade 3 Adequan Derby Challenge Championship at Indiana Downs two races back. Also second in the Grade 2 Heritage Place Derby, B Leaving has compiled a (15) 6-8-0 record and banked $262,736.

Runner-up Hes Jess Dealin races for owner-breeder Pete Scarmardo. Francisco Calderon rode the stakes winning son of Dealagame from the Mr Jess Perry mare Jess Marcy. The Stinebaugh trainee earned $21,130 to bring his total earnings to $142,599.

Secret Romeo, under jockey Sergio Dominguez, finished a neck back to earn $12,430 for third. Stinebaugh conditions the son of Corona Cartel for owner Stinebaugh Equine Enterprises, LLC.  Denny Bowen, Steve Taylor and Jack Smith Farms bred the gelding from the champion Desiro mare PJ Chick In Black. He has banked $57,000 in 13 career starts.

No Secret Knockout, Jjs Lace, Mr de Capi, Apollitical Crystal, Lett It Happen, Might Revenant and Jla Double Down Dash completed the field.

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For more information on the American Quarter Horse season at Evangeline Downs, visit the track's website 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 and Hotel, a property of Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE:BYD), features exciting casino action, live horse racing and fun dining experiences. Evangeline Downs is located in Opelousas, Louisiana, off I-49 on Cresswell Lane at Exit 18.