OPELOUSAS, LA—DECEMBER 16, 2021—Restricted Grade 1 winners Blood Money and San Lorenzeaux will face off for the third-time in their career on Saturday night when they clash in the $1,000,000 LQHBA Louisiana Million Futurity(RG1) to determine who is the top 2-year-old in the state.

Each one has pocketed a RG1 win with the other running second in their previous two meetings.

Fastest qualifier Blood Money drew post 10 for Saturday's 400-yard, $1-million Louisiana QHBA Million Futurity (RG1), one of four stakes (see related story) on Evangeline Downs' eight-race Saturday program.

Blood Money is a son of Apollitical Blood trained by Rosendo Valdez Jr. for owner Rojas Racing Stables LLC. A $17,000 purchase at last year's LQHBA Yearling Sale, the colt began his career with a four-race win streak at Delta Downs that included victories in the June 12, $347,000 Louisiana Breeders' Laddie Futurity (RG2) and July 31, $827,000 Lee Berwick Futurity (RG1).

His only loss in seven starts this year was to San Lorenzeaux in the $382,00 LQHBA Sale Futurity(RG1) at Evangeline October 21st.

Blood Money was a clear two-length winner in the 11th of 13 trials on November 26. Everardo Rodriguez will ride the colt on Saturday.

Second fastest qualifier San Lorenzeaux has won four of his six starts this season was a 1-¾ length trail winner in his last start November 26th.

The son of champion Carters Cartel, trained by Hector Alcala, dominated Blood Money in their last meeting when he won the $382,000 LQHBA Sale Futurity(RG1) by 1-½ lengths at Evangeline Downs October 30th.

A $29,000 LQHBA Yearling Sale graduate, San Lorenzeaux races for owner Rogelio Marquez, Jr, who won last year's edition of the Louisiana Million with multiple RG1 winner San Lorenzo. Regular rider Raul Ramirez, Jr. will be aboard from the inside rail.

The complete lineup, in post-position order including jockey assignments and morning-line odds:

1. San Lorenzeaux (Raul Ramirez Jr.), 9-5
2. Ur Louisiana (Bobby Ransom), 20-1
3. Ultimo Alex (David Alvarez), 5-1
4. Dianetoseparatefromu (Eleazar Hernandez), 12-1
5. Hello Sweet One (Noe Castaneda), 8-1
6. Mr Fast Mallard (Ubaldo Luna), 20-1
7. Farm Diamond Boss (Ricardo Hernandez Jr.), 15-1
8. Louisiana Tequila (Juan F. Garcia Jr.), 15-1
9. Mr Perfect TLC (Rolando Cabrera), 12-1
10. Blood Money (Everardo Rodriguez), 2-1

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$50,000 Louisiana Million Invitational Stakes

Apolliticalfastlane, a daughter of leading thrid-crop sire Apollitical Blood trained by Kenneth Roberts Sr. for owners Jason Richards and Michael J. Leblanc, drew post 3 for Saturday's 400-yard, $50,000 Louisiana Million Invitational Stakes (R) for state-bred 2-year-olds.

The brown filly has banked $69,898 from six outs this season, and she was a finalist in the Lee Berwick Futurity. David Alvarez has been named to ride Apolliticalfastlane.

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First post for the Saturday night card is at 5:35pm (CST). The Evangeline Downs Quarter Horse season continues through December 30.

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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 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.