Peytons Last Dash, under jockey Rosendo Valdez, defeates The Cazador the $30,000 Lakeview Dash Thursday at Evangeline Downs.

© Coady Photography

OPELOUSAS, LA—OCTOBER 22, 2020—Peytons Last Dash narrowly defeated The Cazador in a fast edition of the $30,000 Lakeview Dash at Evangeline on Thursday night.

Guided by David Alvarez, Peytons Last Dash ($20.80) pulled ahead to win by a neck in 12.985 in the 250-yard stake. He earned a 115 speed index in the victory; runner-up The Cazador finished in 13.042 and earned a 113 speed index. Peytons Last Dash is trained by Rosendo Valdez, Jr. and owned by Rosendo Valdez.

Peytons Last Dash extended his current win streak to three with Thursday’s victory. The 4-year-old Heza Fast Dash gelding is six for 12 lifetime with $71,370 earned. This was his second career stakes win; his first stakes win was two starts back at Louisiana Downs in the Harrah’s Dash Stakes.

Peytons Last Dash was bred in Louisiana by Jo Baya Foreman, out of Im Game Lets Play, by Game Patriot.

The Cazador was a neck behind the winner but distanced himself by over a length from third-place finisher Mag 1.

The Cazador has placed second in each of his three last starts, including the Gentilly Dash and the Flying Breed Stakes. Earlier this year, he was third in the Mr Jess Perry Louisiana Downs Stakes (RG3) and was fifth in the Opelousas Stakes (RG2) in 2019. In 27 career efforts, he has amassed $225,195 and nine wins.

A 5-year-old gelded son of Sir Runaway Dash, The Cazador was ridden by Donald Watson for trainer Michael Zinglemann and owner Rayne Knight. He was bred by Zinglemann and C. Crewnwelge in Louisiana, out of Told Ya, by Toast to Dash.

Multiple stakes winner and graded stakes placed Mag 1, with Rolando Cabrera aboard, was up for third place. Mag 1 is trained by Frank Cavazos for owner Mag 3 Racing. The 4-year-old gelding was bred in Louisiana by H&M Racing, sired by Mr Jess Kue and out of the Oak Tree Special mare Oak Tree Chic.

Mag 1 was the post-time favorite as the recent winner of the Flying Breed stakes at Delta; he has also won the Evangeline Dash Sakes and finished third in the Opelousas Stakes (RG2) at Evangeline in 2019. He has five wins and $103,720 from 11 starts.

Completing the field were Painted by Perry, Gunsmoke B, Tahur and Hot Prize. Packin a Punch was scratched.