Ajs Louisiana Chick Scores Half-Length Victory in $30,000 Amelia Belle Stakes at Evangeline Downs

Ajs Louisiana Chick turned in a determined performance Friday night at Evangeline Downs, battling for the lead throughout the 350-yard $30,000 Amelia Belle Stakes (R) before drawing clear by half a length over All About Rogue. The Louisiana-bred filly earned her fifth career victory and pushed her lifetime earnings past the $100,000 mark.

With Juan Francisco Garcia, Jr. aboard, Ajs Louisiana Chick broke alertly from post five and quickly engaged in a spirited duel for the lead. The 4-year-old filly gained a narrow advantage approaching the finish before pulling away to complete the distance in 17.788 seconds, earning a 96 speed index over a sloppy, sealed racing surface with a 4-mph tailwind.

Trained by Trey Ellis for owner and breeder Arnold J. Trahan, Ajs Louisiana Chick collected the $18,000 winner's share, increasing her career earnings to $114,220. The victory improved her lifetime record to five wins, three seconds, and four thirds from 23 starts.

The sorrel daughter of champion Jess Louisiana Blue is out of Ajs Corona Chick, by Ajs Fast Dash. She was a $16,500 purchase at the 2023 LQHBA Yearling Sale.

Ajs Louisiana Chick, who previously captured the LQHBA Louisiana Million Invitational, added another stakes victory to her résumé with Friday's performance. Sent off at odds of 6-1, she returned $14.20 to win.

All About Rogue finished a game second, three-quarters of a length ahead of the third-place finisher, earning $6,000 for owner Leobersi Perez. The 5-year-old mare, ridden by Pedro Chavarria Espinosa for trainer Gus W. Holliday III, dueled gamely with the winner before settling for the runner-up position.

Bred in Louisiana by Brock Broussard, All About Rogue is a daughter of Heza Fast Rogue out of All About the Candy, by Pyc Paint Your Wagon. She was purchased for $17,000 at the 2022 LQHBA Yearling Sale.

The seasoned mare improved her career record to six wins, six seconds, and four thirds from 26 starts, increasing her lifetime earnings to $125,485. Her previous stakes accomplishments include third-place finishes in the Louisiana Champions Day Classic (RG2) and Mother's Day Stakes.

Lm Ms Apollitical, the 1-1 favorite, finished third, another half-length ahead of the fourth-place finisher, earning $3,300 for owner Luis Rosales Martinez, Jr. The 3-year-old filly, ridden by Eddi Emanuel Martinez for trainer Luis R. Martinez, Jr., battled throughout but could not match the top two finishers.

Bred by Luis Rosales Martinez, Jr., Lm Ms Apollitical is a daughter of Apollitical Blood out of Ur Louisiana Blue, by Jess Louisiana Blue.

The filly has now compiled three wins, two seconds, and four thirds from 12 career starts, with earnings of $92,549. Her previous stakes performances include a runner-up finish in the Audubon Stakes, a third-place effort in the Lassie Futurity (RG2), and a finalist appearance in the Lee Berwick Memorial Futurity (RG1).

Completing the field were Iveseenwhatyoucando, who finished fourth after failing to mount a serious challenge, and Patty Wagon Train, who showed early speed after becoming fractious at the gate but faded to fifth. Iveseenwhatyoucando earned $1,800, while Patty Wagon Train collected $900.

The $30,000 Amelia Belle Stakes (R), restricted to accredited Louisiana-bred fillies and mares 3 years old and older, was contested as the sixth race on Friday night's Evangeline Downs program.

Live racing resumes on Saturday with a 5:35 p.m. (CDT) first post. The $40,000 Opelousas (RG3) is the featured event on the seven-race card. The Evangeline Downs Quarter Horse season runs through December 19.

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