Apolitical Ike (#5) gets up over fastest qualifier Shiny Nova (#4) in the $103,390 EVD Derby at Evangeline Downs Saturday night.

© Kimmy Burrow / Hodges Photography

OPELOUSAS, LA –DECEMBER 21, 2024–Apollitical Ike ran down the fastest qualifier, Shiny Nova, to score a head victory in the $103,390 EVD Derby on Saturday at Evangeline Downs.

With a steady drive under jockey Javier Hernandez, Apollitical Ike got up at the wire to complete the 400 yards in 19.804 seconds, a 92-speed index with a 6 mph tailwind. The son of champion sire Apollitical Blood got his sixth career win, first stakes victory, in 15 starts.  The $52,212 winner's purse nearly doubled his earnings to $106,257.

Trainer Braulio Hernandez saddled the EVD Derby winner for owner Rigoberto Aguilar. Make and Leslie Turner bred the bay gelding in Texas from the Pyc Paint Your Wagon mare Eye This Candy.

The fastest qualifier, Shiny Nova, showed early speed while drifting in under jockey Ali Rivera to earn $18,093 for second. Zach Stinebaugh trains the graded stakes winning son for owner-breeder J.P. Sample. Out of the First To Shine mare Alltheshine, Shiny Nova has earned $109,197 in 16 career starts.

Under jockey Eleazar Hernandez, White Collar finished three-quarters back to earn $10,856 for owner Hector J. Menchaca. Leonel Hernandez trains the One Famous Eagle gelding out of You Caught My Eye by Favorite Cartel. AQHA Champion breeder Steve D. Burns, DVM, bred the 3-year-old in California. He has earned $49,645.

Ladys Gotta Jet, Liberater, Jess A Salty Candy, Vodka From Texas and Trixiee completed the field.

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About Evangeline Downs Racetrack& Casino
Encompassing over 750 acres, Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino, a property of Boyd Gaming Corporation, features over 39,000 square feet of casino space as well a racetrack that boasts state-of-the-art facilities with a 7/8-mile turf track and a one-mile main track. The casino includes over 1,000 slot and video poker machines, two dining options, and plenty of meeting space, including track-side private club suites. Evangeline Downs also includes a newly opened FanDuel Sportsbook. For more information, visit www.evangelinedowns.com and connect on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Founded in 1975, Boyd Gaming Corporation is a leading geographically diversified operator of 28 gaming entertainment properties in 10 states and manager of a tribal casino in northern California. The Company is also a strategic partner and 5% equity owner of FanDuel Group, the nation's leading sports-betting operator.

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