Fast Dashin Colt, under jockey Ricardo Hernandez, Jr., set the fastest qualifying time for the $1-million LQHBA Louisiana Million Futurity(RG1) at Evangeline Downs on Friday.

© Hodges Photography / Amanda Hodges Weir

OPELOUSAS, LA –NOVEMBER 29, 2024–Fast Dashin Colt (9-1), an $18,000 LQHBA Yearling Sale graduate, set the fastest qualifying time for the restricted Grade 1 $1-million LQHBA Louisiana Million Futurity Friday evening at Evangeline Downs.

The 10 fastest qualifiers, from 12 trial races for state-bred 2-year-olds contested at 400 yards, will return to Evangeline Downs on Saturday, December 21, to vie for the winner's purse valued at $445,000.

Fast Dashin Colt drifted out under jockey Ricardo Hernandez, Jr., winning the seventh trial by three-quarters of a length. His clocking of 19.943 seconds, an 89-speed index with a 10 mph tailwind, was the fastest of the night.

Trainer Mario Trujillo saddled the son of multiple stakes sire Ajs Fast Dash to his second career win in six starts this season for owner L/C Enterprises LLC. Fast Dashin Colt broke his maiden at first asking in a trial for Mardi Gras Futurity(RG2) last March.

The winning connections of San Lorenzo Chrome battles fellow qualifier Right Down Broadway in the fourth trial on Friday at Evangeline Downs. © Hodges Photography

"Fast Dashin Colt is very powerful and we knew from the beginning, he would handle the added distance," said winning trainer Trujillo through interpreter Elsa Mendoza.

After finishing fourth in allowance in his second out, he started for a $50,000 tag at Delta Downs in July. Bred by Brandon Trahan from the Mr Jess Perry mare Senorita Perry, Fast Dashin Colt is a brother to Fast Dashin Perry, runner-up in the Louisiana Million Invitational Juvenile.  The second dam, Love A Rascal, produced Lee Berwick Futurity(RG1) winner Senor Seabolt.

Laddie Futurity(RG2) winner Gold Gun Z qualified in the tenth trial on Friday at Evangeline Downs.
© Hodges Photography

"This is the third yearling bred by the Trahan family that we purchased at the LQHBA Yearling Sale," Trujillo continued. "His dam side is very strong. This horse doesn't always run his best early in a race but always kicks in after 250 yards.  That's when he shows his heart. My owners are very excited to qualify for the final! "

The lightly raced San Lorenzo Chrome kept his record a perfect 3-for-3 with a head victory in the fourth trial under jockey Arturo Alvarez. Trainer Jeremy Derozin saddled the Freghttrain B colt for owner Rogelio Marquez, Jr. The son of World Champion sire Freighttrain B clocked 19.989 seconds to get the second fastest clocking, an 89-speed index with a 12 mph tailwind.

Charles Boudreaux bred the $30,000 LQHBA Yearling Sale graduate from the stakes-placed Jet Black Patriot mare Jet Black Presence. San Lorenzo Chrome broke his maiden in the Laddie Futurity trials, then won an Allowance at Evangeline Downs in a November 1 million prep race. He has earned $30,189.

Laddie Futurity(RG2) winner Gold Gun Z returned in the win column following a one-length victory in trial 10 for owner Party Tyme Racing. Trainer Jose Espinosa named jockey Arnulfo Gutierrez to ride the stakes-winning son of first-crop sire Gold Heart Eagle V.

Gold Gun Z stopped the timer in 20.049 seconds, an 89-speed index with an 8 mph tailwind to garner the seventh fastest clocking. Slash Z Quarter Horses bred the $122,000 LQHBA Yearling Sale graduate from the Tres Seis mare Cf Smoke Gun. Gold Gun Z has won three of five starts this year and earned $161,466.
Freighttrain B was the only sire with multiple qualifiers, also getting fourth fastest Right Down Broadway and fifth fastest Mda La Mos Frieght B. 

Trainers Kenneth Roberts, Sr., and Luis Martinez saddled two finalists each.

CLICK HERE for a list of the 2024 LQHBA Louisiana Million Futurity(RG1) qualifiers with times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers, and jockeys. The sorrel gelding was third in an allowance at Evangeline in his last start on November 1.

The $50,000 Louisiana Million Juvenile for 2-year-olds who were nominated and failed to qualify for the 2024 LQHBA Million, preference by order of the fastest trial times, will also run back on Saturday, December 21. For a list of those horses, CLICK HERE.

Live racing returns Saturday at Evangeline Downs, featuring an eight-race card with the first post at 5:35 p.m. (CST). Two trials for the LQHBA Breeders' Derby will be contested as Races 2 and 3.

Additional reporting by Martha Claussen.

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.