San Lorenzo Chrome (#9) gets up over Apolitical Chick (#3) and Beleavin (#7) in the $1,000,000 LQHBA Million Futurity(RG1) at Evangeline Downs Saturday night.

© Kimmy Burrow / Hodges Photography

OPELOUSAS, LA–DECEMBER 21, 2024–The lightly raced San Lorenzo Chrome kept his record a perfect 4-for-4 on Saturday, closing with powerful strides to get up by a neck over Apolitical Chick in the $1,000,000 LQHBA Louisiana Million Futurity(RG1) at Evangeline Downs. Beleavin was another neck off the leaders in the blanket finish to get third.

Jockey Arturo Alvarez rode the son of world champion sire Freighttrain B over the 400 yards in 19.870 seconds, a 91-speed index with a 6 mph tailwind.  Trainer Jeremy Derozin saddled the winner.

San Lorenzo Chrome broke his maiden at first asking last May, setting the fastest time for the $291,942 Laddie Futurity(RG2) at Delta Downs. He did not race again until winning a prep allowance at Evangeline Downs on November 1, then posted the second fastest time in the November 29 Million trial.

"This horse has always been very professional, trained well, and came back fine from his (Million) trial," said Derozin. "He's been loving this cool weather and was happy and excited for the final!"

The winning connections of San Lorenzo Chrome accept the LQHBA Louisiana Million Futurity stakes trophy.
© Kimmy Burrow / Hodges Photography

Owner Rogelio Marquez, Jr. got his third win in the LQHBA Louisiana Million with San Lorenzo Chrome. He won his first million in 2020 with San Lorenzo; then San Lorenzo Jet dead-heated with Tha Duke in 2022.

"We were very fortunate to purchase him at the LQHBA Yearling Sale for $30,000," said Marquez. "He was always a runner that we felt could win the Million with. After he qualified for the Laddie, he had some issues, so we held off on running him at Fair Grounds and pointed him to a prep race at Evangeline Downs.  He won that, and when he ran so well in his LQHBA Million trial, we knew we had made the right call. We are very happy to win the final!"

Bred  Charles Boudreaux from the stakes-placed Jet Black Patriot mare Jet Black Presence, San Lorenzo Chrome, used the $445,000 million winner's purse to bring his earnings to $475,139. He is from the family of All American Derby(G1) winner Justanoldlove.  He sold under the name Baby J Freight in the 2023 LQHBA Sale.

Longtime Louisiana breeder Jobaya Foreman's Apolitical Chick led most of the race under jockey Arnulfo Gutierrez. Champion trainer Kenneth Roberts, Sr. conditions the homebred daughter of Apollitical Blood from the Separatist mare Consuela Delight.

Apolitical Chick was a $41,000 LQHBA Yearling Sale repurchase.  Foreman has bred two LQHHA Million Futurity winners—Ol Time Preacher Man and Vals Fortune (with her father). She also bred tonight's third-place million finisher Beleavin.

Apolitical Chick has won three of five starts this year, and the $220,000 runner-up payday boosted her earnings to $257,900.

Beleavin fought gamely under jockey David Alvarez to finish third and earn $110,000 for owner GIA Equine Center, LLC.  Also from the Roberts barn, and bred by JoBaya Foreman, the son of multiple stakes sire Corona Leaving You is out of Eight Below 123, by Mr Eye Opener.

A finalist in the Lee Berwick Futurity(RG1) last summer, Beleavin has compiled a (6) 2-0-2 record and earned $137,000.

San Lorenzo Chrome returned $8.60 to win as the slight wagering favorite, $4.20 to place and $3.40 to show.  Apollitical Chick paid $4.60 and $3.40, with Beleavin paying $6.

Gold Gun Z, Jrs Outlook Is Sweet, You Fly I Buy, G Amtrak B, Beast N Me, Perry Midnight Train, and Right Down Broadway 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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