Racing


HH Gailforce Prevails in $35,000 French Quarter Stakes at Evangeline
HH Gail Force (#7) defeating Speedy Piloto Gee (#1) in the $35,000 French Quarter Stakes Thursday night at Evangeline Downs.

© Coady Photography
HH Gailforce Prevails in $35,000 French Quarter Stakes at Evangeline

OPELOUSAS, LA—OCTOBER 22, 2020—In the $35,000 French Quarter Stakes at Evangeline on Thursday evening, HH Gailforce and Luis Ruiz battled to defeat Speedy Piloto Gee and Escandalo. The 330-yard event was restricted to Louisiana-bred fillies and mares.

HH Gailforce ($9.60) posted a final time of 16.418 to earn a 104 speed index. Speedy Piloto Gee, a neck behind in second place, earned a 102 speed index.

HH Gailforce is trained by Joel Cantu and is owned by the Egoizzta Partnership. She was bred by Harvey Hayes, by Freighttrain B and out of the First Prize Perry mare Open My Prize.

The winner of the 2019 Mardi Gras Futurity (RG2), HH Gailforce has four wins in 12 starts and has earned $229,747.

She recently qualified to and placed third in the Delta Downs Louisiana Bred Derby (RG3) and she finished fourth in the Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile Stakes at the Fair Grounds and the Lassie Futurity (RG2) at Delta.

Speedy Piloto Gee and Juan Garcia Jr. could not catch the winner, but the filly earned her best placing in a stakes race in her career to date. Barbara Alcantara trains the 3-year-old daughter of Mr Piloto for owner Armando Rodriguez.

Speedy Piloto Gee was bred by Grant Farms LLC in Louisiana and is out of the Duel Fuel mare Dominating Speed.

Completing the trifecta was Escandalo and jockey Eddi Martinez. Escandalo is trained by Jose Carrizales for owner Jaime Martinez.

A 3-year-old daughter of Apollitical Blood, Escandalo is still in search of her first career stakes win but is 4 for 15 lifetime and qualified to the Mardi Gras Futurity (RG2). She was bred in Louisiana by Delfino Lozano IV, out of the Mr Jess Perry mare Eying Miss Perry, who was out of graded stakes winner Louisiana Eye Opener.

Completing the field were Corona Down Perry, Perry Mouse Tale, Sea Yacht Dash, Apollitical Toni, Ettas Lil Jet, Ms Diamond Prize and Louisiana Dreamin.