Hezaa Fast Boy, under jockey David Alvarez, winning the $40,000 Opelousas Stakes(RG3) on Saturday at Evangeline Downs.

© Coady Photography

OPELOUSAS, LA—OCTOBER 29, 2022— Rogelio Marquez, Jr.’s Hezaa Fast Boy overcame a slight bobble at the start and charged forward in the final yards to capture the $40,000 Opelousas Stakes (RG3) on Saturday night.  The race for Louisiana bred 3-year-olds and up was contested over a fast track at 400 yards.

Jockey David Alvarez, victorious in the Opelousas for the second consecutive year, was quick into stride despite the bobble with Hezaa Fast Boy.  Five Bar Miracles and JJ Heza Fast Dash Jr were away quickly as well.  Five Bar Miracles was the leader by a slim margin past the half-way point, as JJ Heza Fast Dash Jr and Hezaa Fast Boy charged forward.

Hezaa Fast Boy found another gear in the final yards to pull out the victory by a neck over Five Bar Miracles, with Jj Heza Fast Dash Jr another half-length back in third.  Defending champ Lifeinthefastlanes was in contention but could not match strides with the top three.

The winning connections of Hezaa Fast Boy accept the Opelousas Stakes trophy at Evangeline Downs Saturday night.  © Coady Photography

Hezaa Fast Boy, trained by Jesus Marquez, completed the distance in :19.499 seconds. The winner earned an impressive 98 speed index with the effort. 

Bred in Louisiana by Simmons Racing, Hezaa Fast Boy is a 5-year-old bay gelding sired by leading sire Heza Fast Dash, out of the Feature Mr Jess mare Brenda Beautiful.

Earning $24,000 for the victory, Hezaa Fast Boy increased his lifetime earnings to $157,900.  The win is his sixth from 15 career starts.

Runner-up Five Bar Miracles picked up $8,000 for second. Owned-and-trained by Mark Kendrick, the 5-year-old Five Bar Cartel mare was ridden by jockey J.R. Ramirez.  James Ronald Magnon bred the stakes winning mare from the Valid Expectations (TB) mare Expect Miracles (TB). She has banked $104,833 from 19 career starts.

Jj Heza Fast Dash Jr, also by Heza Fast Dash, earned $4,400 for third. Jose Carrizales trains the 4-year-old gelding for owner-breeder J & J Stables LLC. Ricardo Hernandez, Jr., had the riding call the graded stakes winning earner of $119,638.

Hezaa Fast Boy returned $7.20 for a $2 win ticket, $3.80 to place and $4.60 to show.  Five Bar Miracles paid $5.60 to place and $4.80 to show.  Jj Heza Fast Dash Jr returned $3.80 to show.

Lifeinthefastlanes, King Intriguing Blue, One Sweet Boss and Swamp Eagle completed the field.

Live racing resumes on Wednesday with a 5:35pm first post.  The Evangeline Downs Quarter Horse season runs through December 20.  

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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.