One Fast Cajun, piloted by Upbaldo Luna, wins the $35,000 Races And Aces on Saturday at Evangeline Downs.

© Hodges Photography

OPELOUSAS, LA–OCTOBER 26, 2024–One Fast Cajun edged clear in the final yards to capture the $35,000 Races and Aces for the third consecutive time at Evangeline Downs on Saturday. The stake for Louisiana-bred runners three-year-olds and up was contested in some ideal fall weather over a track-rated fast.

Easy Jumpn Jet rocketed away from the gate to grab the early advantage in the Races and Aces, with Louie B Quick just off his flank.  One Fast Cajun and jockey, Ubaldo Luna, was not the sharpest away but rushed up into a challenging position midway through the turn of the 870-yard test.  As the field moved to the top of the stretch, Easy Jumpn Jet was joined by Louie B Quick and One Fast Cajun and the stage was set for a thrilling stretch battle.

The trio raced past the 220-yard marker side by side, and each had a shot to win in the fight to the wire. In the final yards, One Fast Cajun was just able to forge to the front over Louie B Quick, with the winning margin a neck.  It was just another neck back to Easy Jumpn Jet in third.  The running time of 46.254 seconds earned a speed index of 90 for the winner.

The winning connections of One Fast Cajun accept the $35,000 Races and Aces trophy at Evangeline Downs on Saturday. © Hodges Photography

Trained by Shane Ladner and owned by the team of Darrin Ladner and Norman Ladner, One Fast Cajun earned $21,000, capturing the Races and Aces for the third consecutive year.  The victory improves his record to 14 wins from 27 career starts and his earnings to $279,800.

One Fast Cajun was bred in Louisiana by Terry Gabriel.  Heza Fast Dash sired the six-year-old bay gelding and is out of the Lion Tamer mare Cajun Rocket.

Owner-trainer Paul Ridgon named jockey Donell Blake to ride Louie B Quick to his second-place finish. The stakes-winning son of Brimmerton has a record of 8-4-4 from 28 starts and $157,537 in earnings. Bred by Jim and Natalie Montgomery of Louisiana, he is out of Louisiana Ace by Cuvee.

Jockey Juan Francisco Garcia, Jr. rode Easy Jumpn Jet to his third-place finish. The Flying K Ranch homebred gelding has four wins from 31 starts and $85,475 in the bank. Phillip Calais, Jr., conditions the son of Jumpn Chic. He is out of Mama Love by Sharp Reason.

One Fast Cajun returned $6.40 to win, $4.20 to place and $2.40 to show.  Louie B Quick paid $6 and $2.60, with favored Easy Jumpn Jet paying $2.10. Power Of The Smile and Freakin Patriot Dash complete the order of finish.

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Live racing resumes on Wednesday with a 5:35 pm first post. The Evangeline Downs Quarter Horse season runs through December 21. For more information on Evangeline Downs, visit the track’s website at https://evangelinedowns.boydgaming.com/racing. Evangeline Downs information can also be found on Twitter @EVDracing and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/EvangelineDownsRacing.

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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.