Heza Rip, under jockey Noe Castaneda, won the $233,287 LQHBA Breeders Derby(RG3) by half-a-length on Saturday at Evangeline Downs.

© Kimmy Burrow / Hodges Photography

OPELOUSAS, LA–DECEMBER 21, 2024–Heza Rip was a slight surprise half-length winner at 6-1 in the $233,287 LQHBA Breeders Derby(RG3) by half-a-length on Saturday at Evangeline Downs.

Heza Rip drove between horses with a big finish under jockey Noe Castaneda to complete the 400 yards in 19.846 seconds, a 91 speed index with a 6 mph tailwind. Second in the Delta Downs Louisiana Bred Derby(RG3) last summer, Heza Rip got his fourth win in 17 starts and used the $108,226 winner's purse to almost double his earnings to $220,511.

Brenda Foster trains the son of second-crop sire Rip Tide for owner Jose Guzman. Thomas Glenn Fontenot bred the gelding from the Heza Fast Dash mare Rl Makenzie.

"It was cold and windy, but he ran a fabulous race!", said Foster. "He has done everything right for us. The only thing that I was nervous about was my regular rider, Rene Hernandez, burned his hand and couldn't ride. I know Noe (Castaneda, but wanted to make sure the horse would feel comfortable with him. Noe came to the barn and went to the gates and I was well pleased with the ride!"

"Rene is expected to make a full recovery and Heza Rip will likely go to Louisiana Downs next," she added!

Multiple graded stakes winner One Sweet Sugar drifted in under jockey Leonardo Rodriguez to pick up $40,886 for second. The daughter of multiple stakes sire races for owner-breeder Rogelio Marquez, Jr. Out of the Heza Fast Dash mare Sugarshaker B, winner of the Lee Berwick Futurity(RG1) and Lassie Futurity(RG2) last season, One Sweet Sugar has earned $667,756 in 16 career starts.

Special Wild Train B sped away under jockey Arnulfo Gutierrez but weakened in the stretch to finish a half back to earn $24,050 for third. Winner of the Delta Downs Louisiana Bred Derby(RG3) last summer, the son of world champion sire Freight train B is trained by Kenneth Roberts, Sr. and owned by Bobby D. Cox.  Riley Blanchet bred last year's LQHBA Louisiana Million Futurity(G1) winner from the Tres Seis mare A Special Beauty.  Special Wild Train B has earned $512,000 in 14 career starts.

Tlc Willie Cartel, The Knockout Power, Jess Train B, Rogue Fast Dash, Mp Adored, and Da Repo Man completed the field.

Additional reporting by Martha Claussen.

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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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