OPELOUSAS, LA—NOVEMBER 19, 2016—Tf Racee Runaway (9-1) got his third straight win after defeating Fired Up Perry by a neck in a blanket-finish to the $1,000,000 LQHBA Breeders' Futurity(RG1) Saturday night at Evangeline Downs. Following a rough start post-time favorite Rdd Lajollanfastdash finished a head off the leaders in the show position.

Owned by Tate Farms and conditioned by Lanny Keith, Tf Racee Runaway completed the 400 yards in :19.654 seconds, a 98-speed index. Ridden by jockey John Hamilton, the bay gelding broke well from the outside post position and drifted out but prevailed at the wire.

''I've always liked this horse, going into the final he was fresh and Lanny and David Bustamante did a great job," Hamilton said in the winners circle.

The son of multiple stakes sire Sir Runaway Dash has compiled a (9) 4-2-1 record this season. The $456,410 boosted Tf Racee Runaway earnings mark to $511,263.

''I saw him drifting out and was a little worried, but he found some good ground and got the job done. You dream of winning a million dollar race—it's a life changer, for sure,'' trainer Keith said after the big win.

He was fourth in the LQHBA Breeders' Sale Futurity(RG1) in September and a finalist in the Lee Berwick Memorial Futurity(RG1) last July. The $8,000 LQHBA Yearling Sale repurchase for Tate Farms was bred by Teddy Berry from the Streakin La Jolla mare Racee Rainbow.

''My dad and I have worked our whole lives for a win like this,'' Steve Tate said following the race. ''We did it tonight! John has ridden him well all year long and we appreciate the great job by Lanny,'' he added.

Fired Up Perry bounced off a 10th place finish in the LQHBA Breeders' Sale Futurity(RG1) last September to finish second to fastest qualifier Rdd Lajollanfastdash in the October 28th trial and post the second fastest time to the million-dollar futurity.

Tonight, the Guadalupe Tristan owned-trained son of Game Patriot put in a big effort under jockey David Alvarez to finish second. Bred by Gordon Racing LLC, from the Mr Jess Perry mare Perry Five, Fired Up Perry banked $225,641 for the effort.

Two-time futurity winner and fastest qualifier Rdd Lajollanfastdash split horses, after getting brushed early from the two hole, for a game third. Raul Ramirez, Jr. had the ridding assignment for trainer Jose Sanchez.

Miguel Aguilar owns the son of leading sire Heza Fast Dash who kicked off the year with a win Mardi Gras Futurity(RG2) and the LQHBA Breeders' Sale Futurity(RG1) this season. Bred by Richard Dale Domingue, from the Streakin La Jolla mare La Jollan Queen, Rdd Lajollanfastdash has compiled a (8) 6-0-1 record and earned $403,498 this season.

Tf Racee Runaway paid $19.60 to win, $8.40 to place and $5 to show. Fired Up Perry returned $10 for place and $6 to show and Rdd Lajollanfastdash paid $2.40 to show.

Completing the field were Oak Almighty, Dragon N Panther, Tellem Im Pumped, Gone Swingin, Louisiana Jewels and Kajun Kowgirl.

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

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

Additional reporting from Martha Claussen.

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About Evangeline Downs
Evangeline Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel is owned by Boyd Gaming Corporation, a leading diversified owner and operator of 22 gaming entertainment properties located in Nevada, New Jersey, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. Boyd Gaming press releases are available at www.prnewswire.com. Additional news and information can be found at www.boydgaming.com, or evangelinedowns.com

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