OPELOUSAS, LA—DECEMBER 15, 2023—Going Grand raced to his first career stakes win on Friday night when he defeated Rgs Gold Wagon by half-a-length in the $106,620 EVD Derby at Evangeline Downs.

With a steady drive under jockey Luis Vivanco, Gone Grand completed the 400 yard course in :19.675 seconds, equaling a 94 speed index into a 10 mph crosswind. The winner's' purse was valued at $53,310.

Owned-and-trained by Jose Dolores Camacho the son of multiple stakes sire FDD Going Grand was bred in Texas from the Tres Seis mare Trashy Tres. Jerry Windham bred the six time winner of $138,278. Two races back Gone Grand was second in the TQHA Sires' Cup Derby at Retama Park. 

"He was good last year, but since we gelded him this year, he’s really  run well," Camacho said following the win. 

Runner-up Rgs Gold Wagon is a multiple stakes winning son of Prized Wagon owned Mauricio Garza and trained Janessa Muniz. The $10,662 second-place payday boosted the Oklahoma-bred's earnings total to $311,231. Roy Garza bred last year's EVD Futurity(G3) winner from the Gol mare Ja Gols Debutante. Edgar Mata had the riding call.

Dk Double A, a California-bred son of leading sire Favorite Cartel, finished three-quarters back to earn $10,662 for third. Juan Diaz, Jr. trains the 3-year-old colt or owner Belen Rodriguez. La Presita LLC and LMJ Ranch Inc. bred Dk Double A from the Corona Cartel mare Corona Crystal. He has earned $51,054.

Off as the second choice in the wagering, Gone Grand returned $5.40 to win, $3.40 to place and $2.80 to show.  Rgs Gold Wagon paid $6.20 to place, $4.80 to show, with 65-1 longshot DK Double A paying $21.40 to show.

First Time Wine, Runaway Wildfire, Ganadero, Pappacito, Defours, Jess A Pyc Dash and Deagree completed the field.

The final night of the 2023 racing season is Saturday with the LQHBA Louisiana Million card.  Seven stake races are scheduled on the 10-race card.  Family Night activities, the LQHBA scholarship giveaway and the “Jockeying for the Cash” contest will make for a big Saturday night program.  First post is set for a special time of 5:15pm.  

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 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 in Opelousas, Louisiana, off I-49 on Cresswell Lane at Exit 18.