Fire Cowboy, under jockey Jose Hebert, easily winning the Grade 3 $237,940 EVD Futurity Friday night at Evangeline Downs.

© Coady Photography

OPELOUSAS, LA—DECEMBER 15, 2023—Emanuel Villareal’s Fire Cowboy burst away late to capture the $237,940 Evangeline Downs Futurity (GR2) at Evangeline Downs Saturday night. The Futurity was the main event on a card that also included the Evangeline Downs Derby (see related story).

The races were contested over a track rated fast on a pleasant evening.

Jockey Jose Herbert and Fire Cowboy were away sharply in the 400-yard futurity and had clear sailing in the center of the racetrack. Dezigner Jeanz broke sharply but drifted in slightly at the start and Fire Hot V was in the mix from his rail post position.

The winning connections of Gone Grand accept the EVD Derby stakes trophy and blanket Friday night at Evangeline Downs. © Coady Photography

In the final 100 yards, Fire Cowboy began to edge clear and pulled away to a convincing length victory over Dezigner Jeanz. It was another ¾-lengths back to Fire Hot V and a neck to JB Kool Jess.

"From his first out, he has gotten better each time; this horse really knows what he's doing," Hebert said after the win.

The Juan Diaz, Jr. trainee covered the 400-yard distance in a time of 20.041 seconds and earned a speed index of 85.

"From his first out at Sam Houston, we knew how good he was," said Diaz. "Like Jose said, he has gotten better in every race. Watching his videos, you can see he stands better in the gate and finishes faster. We have a great team and I give credit to my riders, Jose Hebert, Victor Urieta and Nestor Duran. They ride our horses and tell us what they feel."

The win is the fifth from eight career starts and is the second consecutive stake victory. The winning share of $118,970 boosts his career bankroll to $225,733. Fire Cowboy, who also won the Grade 2 John Deere Juvenile Challenge Championship at Lone Star Park on October 21, was purchased by Villarreal in the 2022 Los Alamitos Equine Sale for $22,000.

Bred in Texas by Edward J. and Von Zae McNelis, Fire Cowboy is a 2-year-old sorrel gelding sired by leading first-crop sire Flying Cowboy 123. He is out of the Walk Thru Fire mare Perky.

Trainer Zackary Stinebaugh saddled runner-up Dezigner Jeanz for owner Pete Scarmardo. Ali Rivera rode the Bobby D. Cox bred son of Mr Jess Perry from the Corona Cartel mare All In The Jeans. The $40,450 second-place payday boosted the Oklahoma-bred's earnings mark to $107,104.

Third-place finisher Fire Hot V, also from the Stinebaugh Stable, races for owner Dylan Burns. Valeriano Racing Stables LLC bred the Kvn Corona gelding in Oklahoma from the Sixes Royal mare Sixy Chamisa. Under jockey Edwin Escobedo, the gray gelding picked up $23,794 to bring his earnings total to $59,311.

Off as the wagering favorite, Fire Cowboy paid $6.60 to win, $3.40 to place and $2.60 to show. Designer Jeanz returned $4.40 and $3.20, with Fire Hot V paying $6.60.

Jb Kool Jess, Dankeshayne, Hock Tres Special, B Second Cowboy, Hollywoode, Chendo and Heavenly Snow Eagle completed the field.

The final night of the 2023 racing season is Saturday with the LQHBA Louisiana Million card.  Seven stake races are scheduled on the 10-race card.  Family Night activities, the LQHBA scholarship giveaway and the “Jockeying for the Cash” contest will make for a big Saturday night program.  First post is set for a special time of 5:15 pm (CST).  

Additional reporting by Martha Claussen.

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For more information on the American Quarter Horse season at Evangeline Downs, visit the track's website evdracing.com. Evangeline Downs' Twitter handle is @EVDRacing and the racetrack is also accessible on Facebook at www.facebook.com/EvangelineDownsRacing.

About Evangeline Downs

Evangeline Downs Racetrack Casino and Hotel, a property of Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE:BYD), features exciting casino action, live horse racing and fun dining experiences. Evangeline Downs is in Opelousas, Louisiana, off I-49 on Cresswell Lane at Exit 18.