Valiant Heart Z earns his first stakes victory in the LQHBA Louisiana Million Invitational at Evangeline Downs. © Hodges Photography

© Hodges Photography

By StallioneSearch

OPELOUSAS, LA–DECEMBER 20, 2025– Valiant Heart Z delivered a determined performance on Saturday, December 20, to capture the $50,000 LQHBA Louisiana Million Invitational Stakes at Evangeline Downs, holding on gamely through the final strides to earn the $30,000 winner’s share of the purse.

Breaking from post four under Victor Urieta Jr. and racing into a 10 mph headwind, Valiant Heart Z surged to the front early before drifting slightly inward. He held firm at the wire to prevail by a head while covering the 400-yard distance in 20.107 seconds, earning an 87 speed index. San Lorenzo Cocoy finished second, with NXS another neck back in third over a fast track.

Valiant Heart Z is a bay gelding by All American Derby (G1) winner Gold Heart Eagle V out of the Valiant Hero mare YM Valentine, who was stakes-placed in the Ruidoso Downs Distaff Challenge. Foaled April 4, 2023, in Louisiana, he is trained by Santiago Villaseca for owner Luis Armando Castellanos and was bred by Slash Z Quarter Horses. The victory marked the first stakes win of his career and improved his record to 8-3-3-1, having finished in the money in all but one start. A $25,000 LQHBA Yearling Sale graduate, Valiant Heart Z now owns earnings of $60,845.

Finishing second was San Lorenzo Cocoy, a filly by Champion Sire Ivory James out of the Sir Runaway Dash mare RF Runaway Duck, a stakes finalist in the Lassie Futurity (G2). Trained by Juan Garcia for owner Rogelio Marquez Jr. and ridden by Arturo Alvarez, now holds a career record of 5-0-2-2 with earnings of $19,623.

NXS completed the trifecta after a troubled trip. The gelding is by graded stakes sire You Drive I Fly out of the Royal Quick Dash mare Royal Quick Jo Z. Trained by Ramiro Aboytes-Suarez for owner Sebastian Sanchez and ridden by Yaidel Rodriguez, he now sports a career record of 7-2-0-2 with earnings of $22,855.

Completing the order of finish were Love Lies Bleedin, SL Watchme Zoom, Ten Plus, A Desperate Eagle, Usxpress, Geaux Aspen Rose, and Super Tee Baby.

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