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I Am Valiant Headlines Evangeline Downs Derby Trials
Dash For Cash Derby(G2) winner I Am Valiant will head 32 sophomoresentered in Saturday’s 400-yard Evangeline Downs Derby trials at Evangeline Downs.

© Dustin Orona Photography
I Am Valiant Headlines Evangeline Downs Derby Trials

BY MICHAEL CUSORTELLI

OPELOUSAS, LA—NOVEMBER 10, 2020—Thirty-one sophomores, headed by graded stakes winner I Am Valiant, are entered in Saturday’s 400-yard Evangeline Downs Derby trials at Evangeline Downs.

A son of Valiant Hero trained by Alonso Neri for owner Oscar Rios Jr., I Am Valiant will be shortening in distance off of his upset victory in the 440-yard, $136,000 Dash For Cash Derby (G2) at Lone Star Park on September 27. The colt has earned $64,654 from six races this season.

I Am Valiant drew post 4 and will be ridden by Victor Urieta Jr. in the last of four trials.

Other prominent 3-year-olds entered in Saturday’s trials include Jose U. Oviedo’s Mr Tereso, a stakes-winning son of the FDD Dynasty stallion Man Who Wouldbe King trained by Fernando Lopez. The winner of the July 3, $98,000 Old South Derby at Delta Downs, Mr Tereso is coming off of a second-place finish, a nose behind winner SS Classyjess, in the 350-yard, $100,000 Nevill Stakes (R) for Texas-breds at Lone Star Park on September 19.

Mr Tereso drew the rail post and will be ridden by Raul Ramirez Jr. in the fourth heat.

The 10 fastest qualifiers will meet in the $50,000-added Evangeline Downs Futurity final on December 12.

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