Daddy Caliente with jockey Claudio Ponce Aguilar in the irons setting the fastest qualifying time for the $100,000-added Evangeline Downs Futurity(G3) .

© Coady Photography

OPELOUSAS, LA—NOVEMBER 18 2022— Evangeline Downs held an 11-race card of qualifiers for the 2022 $100,000-added Evangeline Downs Futurity(G3) on Friday night.  The finals will be contested on Friday, December 16.

The fastest qualifier for the Evangeline Downs Futurity was Daddy Caliente with jockey Claudio Ponce Aguilar in the irons.  The Mi Cielo Ranch (Esequiel Porras) runner won the fourth trial of the night in convincing fashion, breaking sharply and never being challenged in a 2-1/2 length victory. 

The running time for the 400 yards over a track rated fast was 19.602 seconds and earned a speed index of 95.

The win by Daddy Caliente was the second in six career races.  Earning $3,000 for the victory, his career bankroll increased to $145,932.  This is the third futurity final the Brian Stroud trainee has qualified for, and he has hit the board in every start.

Bred in Texas by Jose Espinosa, Daddy Caliente is a 2-year-old grey colt by Big Daddy Cartel, out of the Valiant Hero mare Valiant Flame. Daddy Caliente is a $17,000 TQHA Yearling Sale graduate.

CLICK HERE for the 10 fastest qualifiers for the Evangeline Downs Futurity(G3) including times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys.

Racing resumes at Evangeline Downs on Saturday with a 5:35pm first post.  Five trials for the Evangeline Downs Derby highlight the card. The Evangeline Downs Quarter Horse season runs through December 20.  

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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 located in Opelousas, Louisiana, off I-49 on Cresswell Lane at Exit 18.