Heza Made Man, under jockey Rolando Pina , winning the 40,000 LQHBA Invitational Stakes at Evangeline Downs.

© Coady Photography

OPELOUSAS, LA—DECEMBER 15, 2018 —A night of stakes at Evangeline Downs, including the LQHBA Million Futurity, started with a $40,000 Invitational Stakes for horses that did not qualify for the final. The 400-yard event came down to the wire, with Heza Made Man and Rolando Pina putting a neck in front of Fast Dashin Perry and Rolando Cabrera.

The Invitational was the first career win in a stakes race for the 2-year-old gelding, who had one previous win, a maiden race also at Evangeline, in six lifetime starts. With Saturday’s win, he has now earned $36,750.

Heza Made Man ($9.20) is by Heza Fast Dash, out of the Streakin La Jolla mare Six Streakin Salute. He was bred in Louisiana by Rodney or Phillip Debenedetto, is owned by Martina Carmen Arajuo Diaz, and is trained by Joe Davis.

LQHBA President Ryan Robicheaux and LQHBA Executive Director Tony Patterson present the winning connections of Heza Made Man the LQHBA Million Invitational stakes trophy. © Coady Photographyz

Final time for the race was 19.666, and Heza Made Man earned a 98 speed index. Heza Made Man gained a narrow but early lead and maintained it over the charging post-time favorite, Fast Dashin Perry.

Fast Dashin Perry was in search of his first career stakes win, but he was also looking for a third consecutive win. The 2-year-old gelding has won three of his eight lifetime starts and has only finished off the board in one start.

Fast Dashin Perry is trained by Barbara Alcantra for owner Armando Vasquez Rodriguez. He was bred in Louisiana by Brandon Trahan, by Ajs Fast Dash and out of Senorita Perry, by Mr Jess Perry.

The two frontrunners passed Game Overtime and Luis Vivanco, who finished a head behind Fast Dashin Perry in third place. Game Overtime is a gelded son of Fast Prize Jordan, out of the Game Patriot mare Good Game Meg. He was bred in Louisiana by Daniel Trajan. Ray Robbins trains for owner Silver Spectacular Racing.

Completing the field were Fast N Fun Jordan, Cartel Majic, Junie Blue, Marcysfastdash, Shez Game and Texas Bully. Cajun Cos was scratched.