Racing


Flyin Chilitos Rockets Home Fastest In Grade 2 Evangeline Downs Futurity Trials
Flyin Chilitos, under jockey David Alvarez, posted the fastest qualifying time for the $320,000-est. Grade 2 EVD Futurity at Evangeline Downs.

© Hodges Photography / Amanda Hodges Weir
Flyin Chilitos Rockets Home Fastest In Grade 2 Evangeline Downs Futurity Trials

OPELOUSAS, LA–NOVEMBER 22, 2024–The Friday night card at Evangeline Downs featured 11 trials for the EVD Futurity.  The finals, with an estimated purse of over $320,000, will be contested on the meet’s closing night card on December 21.

Flyin Chilitos, with David Alvarez in the irons, was the fastest qualifier for the Evangeline Downs Futurity. The Leonel Hernandez trainee broke sharply from his rail post draw and was never threatened in the first trial of the evening. 

"We knew from the beginning that he had talent, but he was very immature," said Hernandez. "In his Texas races, we began to see that he would like the added distance, and he performed well at 400 yards at Lone Star. We hoped for a good effort in this trial (for the Evangeline Downs Futurity), even though it was a new track, but we were surprised that he ran such a good race!" 

The winning margin was 1-1/4 lengths better than CC Valiant, who finished strongly to get second ahead of Mi Favorito Whiskey. The running time for the 400 yards over a track listed fast was 19.769 seconds, earning a speed index of 93.

Owned by Omar Paredes, Flyin Chilitos is a winner for the fourth time in 10 career starts.  The $3,000 winner’s share increases his bankroll to $80,289. The double-registered AQHA/APHA gelding won the Texas Hero Futurity(G1) at Lone Star Park in his last start on November 11.

Claudia Miranda bred Flyin Chiltos in Texas. First-crop sire Chilitos sired the 2-year-old, out of the Louisiana Senator mare Sensational Senator.

CLICK HERE for the 10 qualifiers to the Evangeline Downs Futurity.

Racing resumes at Evangeline Downs on Saturday with a 5:35 pm first post.  Four trials for the Evangeline Downs Derby highlight the card and the $40,000 Opelousas Stakes (RG3). The 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

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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