Shiny Nove, under jockey Ali Rivera, set the fastest qualifying time for the $50,000-added EVD Derby at Evangeline Downs Saturday night.

© Hodges Photography / Amanda Hodges Weir

OPELOUSAS, LA –NOVEMBER 23, 2024–Graded stakes winner Shiny Nova rolled to a 1-1/4 length in the second of four trials Saturday night at Evangeline Downs to set the fastest qualifying time for the EVD Derby.

The 10 fastest qualifiers will return to the Louisiana racetrack on Saturday, December 21st, to vie for the winner's share of a $105,000-est. purse going a distance of 400 yards.

Shiny Nova drifted in then out under jockey Ali Rivera as he cleared the field to post the fastest qualifying time of 19.796 seconds, a 96-speed index. Trainer Zackary Stinebaugh, who qualified three to the EVD Derby tonight,  saddled the son of Racy Casanova to his eighth career win in 14 starts.

"He's a really neat horse," said Stinebaugh. "The owner, J. P. Sample, knows my dad (John Stinebaugh), and after seeing this horse run so well in Idaho, he asked if we would train him. Shiney Nova was paid into the Dash For Cash Derby at Lone Star Park and is really fast,  but kind of particular about how he likes to be handled. He gets along well with rider Ali Rivera and ran a big race tonight."

"I'm proud of each of our three qualifiers," added Stinebaugh. "Ladys Gotta Jet has won two stakes for Pete Scarmardo and Jess A Salty Candy is a big gelding who takes a while to get going, but finishes strong. We'll be back to Evangeline next weekend with a couple in the trials and look forward to running these three in the EVD Derby final!"

Owner-breeder J.P. Sample bred the 3-year-old gelding in Idaho from the First To Shine mare Alltheshine. Shiny Nova won the Grade 3 Bitterroot Futurity at 2, the Bitterroot Derby, and was a finalist in the Dash For Cash Derby(G2).  He has earned $80,248.

Making his first start since an eighth-place finish in the Grade 2 EVD Futurity a year ago, Hollywoode won the opening trial by one length to get the second-fastest clocking of 19.805 seconds, an 85-speed index.

Trainer Adalberto Miranda saddled the son of multiple stakes sire Hawkeye for owner Leobersi Perez. AQHA Racing champion breeder Bobby D. Cox bred the $43,819 earner in Texas from the Ivory James mare Thriving Ivory. Yaidel Rodriguez had the riding call.

CLICK HERE for a list of the EVD Derby qualifiers, with times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys.

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.