Rockin The Train, under jockey Alejandro Medina, posted the fastest time for the $120,000-est EVD Derby Saturday night at Evangeline Downs.

© Hodges Photography

By H. David Smith, StallioneSearch

OPELOUSAS, LA—NOVEMBER 22, 2025—Stakes winner Rockin The Train delivered a powerful performance on Saturday at Evangeline Downs, posting the fastest qualifying time from four trials to the $120,000-est. EVD Derby, set for Saturday, December 20.

The 3-year-old American Quarter Horse gelding topped a field of 33 sophomores competing at 400 yards, with the 10 fastest qualifiers advancing to next month’s final.

Rockin The Train, a gelded son of multiple stakes sire Bp Wagon Train out of Rock Solid Jet by Rock Solid Jess, broke sharply in the third trial and never looked back, drawing clear late to win by three-quarters of a length in 19.872, a 93 speed index with a 5 mph tailwind.

Bred and owned by Debra M. Gotovac, the Texas-bred is trained by Bradley C. Bolen and was guided to victory by Alejandro Medina. His commanding effort not only earned him the top qualifying spot but also marked one of the most visually dominant performances of the afternoon.

Winner of the John Deere Praiire Meadows Juvenile Challenge last summer, Rockin The Train is a multiple stakes finalist with five wins and nearly $90,000 in earnings.

The second-fastest qualifier emerged from the opening division, where Jd Heza Paintedeagle fought gamely throughout to win a tight duel in 19.897, a 93 speed index.

The Oklahoma-bred gelding is by world champion sire One Famous Eagle and out of Jess A Painted Wagon by Pyc Paint Your Wagon. A $23,000 HP Yearling Sale purchase in 2023, he is bred by JD IV Farms LLC and races for Elite Quarter Horses.

Trained by Fernando Lopez and ridden by Jorge Javier Garcia, the stakes-placed gelding drifted out late but held firm to secure the second-fastest time of the trials.  A four-time winner he has earned $56,495 in 18 starts.

Rounding out the top three qualifiers was Tempting Grace, the stylish gray filly who captured the first trial with authority, stopping the clock in 19.901. By Tempting Dash and out of Jumpn Beau Chick by Jumpn Chic, Tempting Grace was bred and is owned by Francisco Javier Garza.

A multiple graded stakes-finalist, she is conditioned by Luis R. Martinez, Jr. and was ridden confidently by Jorge Javier Garcia, who won two of the four trials on the card. Her professional effort, in which she drifted out but remained clearly best, secured her place among the leading contenders for next month’s final. She has earned $56,919 in eight career starts.

The 10 fastest qualifiers from Saturday’s trials will return for the $120,000-est. EVD Derby Final on December 20, again at 400 yards, where they will meet to determine the 2025 champion of Evangeline Downs’ signature open sophomore event. 

Racing resumes at Evangeline Downs on Friday with a 4:35 pm (CST) first post.  Eleven trials for the LQHBA Louisiana Million Futurity(RG1) highlight the card. The Quarter Horse season runs through December 20.

CLICK HERE for a complete list of qualifiers, times, breeding lines, and connections.

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