Federico Vargas crossed the finish line aboard AttaBoySlim at Evangeline Downs on Saturday night, winning the Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile RG2 Stakes Race.

© Hodges Photography

By Leann Noguera, StallioneSearch

OPELOUSAS, LA—DECEMBER 20, 2025—Atta Boy Slim delivered the biggest upset of the evening on Saturday, surging to a late win at the wire in the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile Stakes-RG2 at Evangeline Downs.

Atta Boy Slim stopped the clock in 17.845 seconds for the 350 yards, earning a 92 speed index into a 10-mph headwind while returning $31.80 to win at odds of 14-1.

Breaking clean under jockey Federico Vargas, Atta Boy Slim tracked the early pace before digging in to battle through the final strides and prevailing by a neck. The victory was worth $45,000 and marked his first graded stakes score. He now owns two wins, two seconds, and two thirds from seven starts with $94,644 in earnings.

Atta Boy Slim is trained by Vann Haywood for owner Emily Loup and was bred in Louisiana by Wade Loup. The son of The Louisiana Cartel is out of Sassy Chic 3341 by Fast Prize Dash and was a $24,000 repurchase at the 2024 LQHBA Yearling Sale.

CM Dashing Cartel was game in defeat, finishing second by a neck after being bumped early and fighting hard every step of the way. The bay gelding, ridden by Bryan Candanosa, is trained by Jose Espinosa for Diamond R Investment Farms LLC and Lauro Garcia Jr.

The son of One Dashing Eagle was bred in Louisiana by Cory Ron Mouton out of Ellas Cartel by Carters Cartel. From seven starts, CM Dashing Cartel has three wins and two seconds with earnings of $72,980.

First out of the gates, Moneys Right completed the trifecta, finishing third a head back after showing early speed and yielding late. Juan Garcia Jr. was aboard for owner-trainer Jose Espinosa.

The sorrel gelding by Five Bar Cartel was bred in Louisiana by Ryan and Danielle Robicheaux out of Remember Robyn by Tres Seis. A $50,000 LQHBA Yearling Sale purchase, Moneys Right now has one win, two seconds, and two thirds from eight starts with $54,482 in earnings.

Completing the order of finish was Jrs Jeeses Cartel who finished fourth, followed by Mamma Im Leaving You in fifth, Gold Hearted Eagle sixth, Lm Ms Apollitical seventh, Rogue Candy eighth, Mardi Gras Train ninth, and Zactex Blood tenth.

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