One Sweet Sugar wins her trial heat and sets time to beat in the $233,287 LQHBA Breeders’ Derby [RG3] at Evangeline Downs on Saturday.

© Hodges Photography

OPELOUSAS, LA–NOVEMBER 30, 2024–Two trials were held on Saturday for the $233,287 LQHBA Breeders’ Derby [RG3] at Evangeline Downs. The favorites of both trials, One Sweet Sugar and The Knockout Power won their heats, setting the two fastest times to the finals.

Leonardo Rodriguez was aboard the winners of both trials. He will have to choose his mount in the finals, which takes place on closing night, December 21, at Evangeline Downs as part of the Million Night Extravaganza.

Trainer Jeremy Derozin saddled One Sweet Sugar for owner-breeder Rogelio Marquez, Jr, who bred her in Louisiana out of Sugarshaker B by Heza Fast Dash.

The daughter of One Sweet Jess pressed on to keep the lead in trial two from gate-to-wire, winning by a neck over Special Wild Train B. She posted the fastest qualifying time in 20.065 seconds, clocking an 86 speed index. The 400-yard victory paid $4.20 to win on even odds.

"Since she was a 2-year-old, she showed us that she deserved to be in the big races," Rogelio Marquez, Jr. said. "She had a great two-year-old season and tailed off a bit this year, but turned it around at the Fairgrounds. She's a homebred, which makes it extra special!"

One Sweet Sugar has lit the board 12 of 15 starts with six wins, including the Esplanade Stakes at the Fairground in September and the Lee Berwick Futurity [G1] and Lassie Futurity [G2] last year at Delta Downs.

This year, she also placed second in the Treme Derby, Delta Downs LA Bred Oaks, and third in the Old South Derby. The $6,000 winner’s share of the trial purse boosts her lifetime earnings to $626,870.

Heavy favorite The Knockout Power led trial #1 from wire-to-wire for the second fastest time in 20.106 seconds and an 85 speed index. The son of Power Jam (TB) defeated Heza Rip by a 1/2-length, which paid $3.40 to win.

Tonight’s victory is The Knockout Power’s fourth of the season and sixth lifetime from 17 starts. The gray gelding has earned $138,525 for owner Douglas O. Traylor, who purchased him for $40,000 in the 2022 LQHBA Yearling Sale.

This year, The Only Knockout placed fourth in the Dash For Cash Derby [G2] and Delta Downs LA Bred Derby [G3]. In 2023, he was fourth in the LQHBA Louisiana Million Futurity [G1] and a finalist in the LQHBA Sale Juvenile Stakes.

Ken O’Brien bred The Knockout Power in Louisiana from the Apollitical Jess mare The Only Knockout.

CLICK HERE for complete details on the $233,287 LQHBA Breeders’ Derby [RG3] trials, including horse, sex, sire, dam, dam sire, owner, breeder, trainer and jockey.

Martha Claussen provided additional reporting on this story.

Live racing resumes on Wednesday with a 5:35 pm first post.  The Evangeline Downs Quarter Horse season runs through December 21.

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