Rgs Gold Wagon (#3) defeating Delight Interest (#5) in the $305,960 EVD Futurity (G3) at Evangeline Downs Friday night.

© Coady Photography

OPELOUSAS, LA—DECEMBER 16, 2022—Second fastest qualifier Rgs Gold Wagon was a gate-to-wire winner in the Grade 3 $305,960 EVD Futurity Friday night at Evangeline Downs.

Ridden by jockey Edgar Mata, Rgs Gold Wagon raced over the 400 yards in :19.435, seconds, a 101 speed index into a 5 mph crosswind, to get this first career stakes win.  The son of multiple stakes sire Prized Wagon was fourth in the Grade 2 Dash For Cash Futurity two races back, third in the Easy Jet Stakes and a finalist in the Speehorse Futurity(G3) this season.

Trainer Janessa Muniz saddled the Oklahoma-bred to his fourth career win for owner Mauricio Garza. The $152,980 winner's purse boosted the gelding's earnings total to $227,850.  Roy Garza bred Rgs Gold Wagon from the Gol mare Ja Gols Debutante.

Delight Interest bounced off a second-place trial effort to pick up $52,014 for second-place in the final. Josue Ponce trains the Separate Interest 2-year-old for owner Triple Five. George Mitchell bred the bay gelding in Oklahoma from the Volcom mare Volcoms Delight. He has banked $76,794 in eight starts.

The winning connections of Rgs Gold Wagon accept the EVD Futurity stakes trophy at Evangeline Downs Friday night. © Coady Photography

Elisas Esperance was moved to third after Daddy Caliente was disqualified for interference and placed seventh.

Bradley Bolen trainee Elisas Esperance earned $30,596 for third. Bolen conditions the daughter of Jumpn Chick for himself and Cole Clinger and Jose Rodriguez.  Holly Hooper bred the gray filly in New Mexico from the Eyesa Special mare Esperance. A finalist in the Zia Futurity(RG1), New Mexico Classic Futurity (RG2) and New Mexico Breeders Futurity(RG3), Elias Esperance has earned $95,477 in nine starts.

Completing the official order of finish were Shakers No Secret, Unome Valentine, Macsimizer, Daddy Caliente, Dakota Gurl, Runaway Wildfire and Jess Winning Cartel.
 

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Live racing resumes Saturday with the LQHBA Louisiana Million card.  Seven stake races are scheduled on the 8-race card.  Family Night activities, the LQHBA scholarship giveaway and a mandatory payout of the “Pick 7 in the 7th” contest will make for a big Saturday night program. 

First post is set for 5:35pm (CST).  The 2022 Quarter Horse season will conclude next week with races Monday and closing day Tuesday, December 20.  

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

About Evangeline Downs
Evangeline Downs Racetrack Casino and Hotel, a property of Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE:BYD), features exciting casino action, live horse racing and fun dining experiences. Evangeline Downs is located in Opelousas, Louisiana, off I-49 on Cresswell Lane at Exit 18.