Leaving Coyame earns his first stakes victory in the Louisiana Champions Day Derby (G3) at Evangeline Downs. © Hodges Photography

© Hodges Photography

By StallioneSearch

OPELOUSAS, LA–DECEMBER 20, 2025– Leaving Coyame delivered a strong late rally on Saturday, December 20, to earn his first career stakes victory in the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Derby (RG3) at Evangeline Downs. The three-year-old Louisiana-bred gelding covered the 400-yard distance in 20.057 seconds to collect the $45,000 winner’s share of the purse.

Breaking from post nine under Yaidel Rodriguez and racing into an 8 mph headwind, Leaving Coyame tracked the early pace before making his move in the stretch. He surged past his rivals late to score by a half-length over Paint Me Onis, while Jess Joseph M finished another half-length back in third. The winning effort earned an 89 speed index over a fast track.

Leaving Coyame is a sorrel gelding by Coronas Leaving You out of the Mr Eye Opener mare Dressed To Kill. Foaled April 13, 2022, in Louisiana, he is trained by Luis Martinez, Jr. for owner Carlos Levario and was bred by Carlos Gerardo Levario. The victory marked his first stakes score after previously making just one other graded appearance, finishing third in the Mid-City Stakes (G3) at Delta Downs in August. With the win, he improved his career record to 19-5-1-2 and increased his earnings to $111,595.

Finishing second was Paint Me Onis, who was coming off a victory in the Mardi Gras Derby. The gelding is by million-dollar sire Paint Me Perry out of the Heza Fast Dash mare RL Toni Lynn, a winner. Trained by Joseph Manucy for owner Mary Stratton and ridden by James Flores, Paint Me Onis added $17,000 for the runner-up effort. He now owns a career record of 11-5-2-1 with earnings of $126,699. Earlier in his career, he finished second in the 2024 Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile (G2) and was a finalist in the Laddie Futurity (G2) and De Saix Stakes.

Jess Joseph M finished in third while continuing his search for a first stakes victory. The gelding is by Jess Differen, a half-brother to two-time Champion Uncle D, out of the Dashin Bye mare Syrianas Song, a four-time winner. Trained by Salvador Flores for owner Ricardo Mendoza and ridden by Lucas Constantin, the $4,700 LQHBA Yearling Sale graduate earned $10,000 for the third-place finish and now has earnings of $63,657.

Completing the order of finish were Rogues Fast Prize, Dropping Dimes, Hope Tide, Running With Faith, One Sweet Tsunami, Cinco La Nina, and Jess B Sizzlin.

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