Stone Cold Leader will be among 55 hopefuls staring in Saturday’s 400-yard EVD Derby trials at Evangeline Downs.

© Linscott Photography

OPELOUSAS, LA—NOVEMBER 21, 2018—Fifty-five 3-year-olds have been entered in Saturday’s 400-yard EVD Derby trials at Evangeline Downs.

Patrick Richardson’s Stone Cold Leader, an Indiana-bred son of Brookstone Bay trained by Joe M. Davis, is coming off of a second-place finish, a half of a length behind winner Eos A Political Win, in the 440-yard, $163,000 Dash For Cash Derby (G3) at Lone Star Park on October 6. The gelding has earned $149,386 from seven starts this year, and his two wins include a one-length victory in the 400-yard, $212,000 Firecracker Derby at Delta Downs on June 30.

Stone Cold Leader drew post 3 and will be ridden by Rolando Pina in the first of seven trials.

Three Bar Cartel, a gray son of Capo de Capi owned by Ruben Garcia Montemayor, drew post 2 and will be ridden by Jesse Levario for trainer Josue Ponce in the third heat. The gelding has won two of seven starts this season, including the 400-yard, $139,000 Retama Derby at Retama Park in July, and he was a finalist in the November 10, 440-yard Texas Classic Derby (G1) at Lone Star Park.

The 10 fastest qualifiers will meet in the December 15, $50,000-added EVD Derby final.

All Evangeline Downs races can be seen at Q-RacingVideo.com.