Easy Jumpn Jet, under jockey Juan Garcia Jr., draws clear late to capture his first career stakes victory in the $30,000 Races and Aces Stakes on Saturday night at Evangeline Downs.

© Hodges Photography

By Leann Noguera, StallioneSearch

OPELOUSAS, LA–OCTOBER 18, 2025–Easy Jumpn Jet scored his first career stakes victory with a 23-1 upset by two lengths over reigning champion One Fast Cajun in the $30,000 Races and Aces Stakes on Saturday evening at Evangeline Downs.

The 7-year-old gray gelding covered the 870 yards in 46.732 seconds, earning an 85 speed index under jockey Juan Garcia Jr. for trainer Phillip Calais Jr. and owner/breeder Flying K Ranch LLC. The effort paid $43.00 on a $2.00 wager.

Breaking from post 4, Easy Jumpn Jet vied on the inside early, then took command at the three-sixteenths pole and drew away with authority. The son of Jumpn Chic redeemed himself after finishing fourth in the Faubourg St John Stakes in August at Delta Downs and third in last year’s running of the Races And Aces Stakes.

Out of the Sharp Reason mare Mama Love, the Louisiana-bred gelding has now started 38 times. He has 4 wins, 7 seconds, and 5 thirds, with earnings of $105,550 after cashing in the $18,000 winner’s share of the purse.

Runner-up One Fast Cajun, a 7-year-old bay gelding by Heza Fast Dash, saw his Races and Aces win streak end after three consecutive years of victories in the event. Under jockey Ubaldo Luna, the veteran rallied late to secure second for trainer Rene Vidana and owners Darrin and Norman Ladner.

Bred in Louisiana by Terry L. Gabriel, One Fast Cajun is out of the Lion Tamer-TB mare Cajun Rocket-TB. A seven-time stakes winner, he has made 30 starts with 15 wins, 2 seconds, and 3 thirds, earning $306,800. He also defeated Easy Jumpn Jet earlier this year in the Faubourg St John Stakes.

Finishing third was Explosive Legend, a 4-year-old sorrel gelding by Mr Piloto, ridden by Donell Blake for trainer and owner David Bustamante. Bred in Louisiana by Mercy Hinklin’s Horse Farm LLC, he is out of Legendary Seis by Tres Seis.

The 2022 LQHBA Yearling Sale graduate, purchased for $40,000, has made 16 starts with 6 wins, 1 second, and 4 thirds, earning $127,958.

Completing the order of finish were Determined, Freakin Patriot Dash, Liberater, and Lm I Am Justified.

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