Tempting Grace powered through the final strides to remain undefeated in 2025 under jockey Jorge Garcia in the $121,060 EVD Derby on Saturday at Evangeline Downs.

© Hodges Photography

By Leann Noguera, StallioneSearch

OPELOUSAS, LA—DECEMBER 20, 2025—Tempting Grace remains undefeated in 2025 with a three-for-three campaign after capturing the $121,060 EVD Derby on Saturday night at Evangeline Downs. The 400-yard final for three-year-olds was contested in race six on the card, and the gray filly delivered a determined finish to secure her first career stakes victory and the $60,530 winner’s share.

Tempting Grace, a gray filly by Tempting Dash, stopped the clock in 19.890 seconds while earning a 93 speed index into a 10 mph headwind. Under jockey Jorge Garcia, she prevailed by a neck in a driving finish that paid $6.20 to win as the 2-1 favorite.

The victory pushed Tempting Grace’s record to five wins, two seconds, and $117,449 in earnings from nine career starts. Last season, she placed fourth in the Firecracker Futurity-G2 and fifth in the TQHA Sires’ Cup Futurity-G2.

Trained by Luis Martinez Jr., the Tempting Grace is owned and bred in Texas by Francisco Javier Garza out of Jumpn Beau Chick, by Jumpn Chic.

Rockin The Train, who set the fastest qualifying time in the trials, battled gamely throughout the stretch and finished second. Trainer Bradley Bolen saddled the son of Bp Wagon Train for owner-breeder Debra M. Gotovac of Texas.

Ridden by Alejandro Medina, Rockin The Train covered the distance in 19.949 seconds with a 91 speed index, missing by a neck while drifting out late. His career totals now stand at five wins, three seconds, and $109,929 in earnings from 19 starts.

Earlier this season, the three-year-old gelding out of Rock Solid Jet, by Rock Solid Jess, placed second in the Prairie Meadows Derby Challenge and was a finalist in both the Dash For Cash Derby-G2 and the AQHA Derby Challenge Championship-G3.

Eagles Up checked in third, a half-length behind the runner-up. The sorrel colt by One Famous Eagle was piloted by Luis Vivanco for trainer Jose Sanchez and owners Mario H. Vazquez and Jumonville Farms. Bred in Louisiana by Jumonville Farms, he is out of U R Blue, by Walk Thru Fire.

Eagles Up clocked 20.048 seconds while posting an 89 speed index. The $75,000 Heritage Place Fall Mixed Sale graduate has compiled five wins, three seconds, and three thirds with $169,849 in earnings from 14 starts. His résumé includes a win in this year’s TQHA Sires’ Cup Derby and a third-place finish in the Sam Houston Derby-G3.

Celebratingtheeagle finished fourth, followed by Elizabeth Alexandria in fifth, Famous Flyin Cowgirl sixth, Shez Flyn seventh, Mark 536 eighth, Jj Jessa Dynasty ninth, and Future Look rounding out the field in tenth.

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