Run For The Prize Edges One Fast Cajun in $30,000 Races and Aces Stakes at Evangeline Downs

Run For The Prize delivered a determined late surge to edge multiple stakes winner One Fast Cajun by a head in Saturday night's $30,000 Races and Aces Stakes at Evangeline Downs, capturing the 870-yard event for 3-year-olds and older in 47.004 seconds over a fast racing surface.

Ridden by Eddi Emanuel Martinez for trainer Luis R. Martinez, Jr., the 4-year-old gray gelding earned an 83 speed index while collecting the $18,000 winner's share of the purse.

Run For The Prize dueled with One Fast Cajun during the race before finding enough in the closing strides to prevail in a tightly contested finish. The victory came after a runner-up effort in the Live Oak Stakes in his previous start.

Owned by Brenda Ayala Sanchez, Run For The Prize is a Louisiana-bred son of You Drive I Fly out of Dasha Effort, by Fishers Dash. He was bred by Jumonville Farms and was purchased for $8,500 at the 2023 Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders Association Yearling Sale.

Saturday's victory improved his career record to eight wins, three seconds, and one third from 23 starts, with earnings of $125,935. In addition to his recent runner-up finish in the Live Oak Stakes, Run for the Prize previously placed third in the Mid City Stakes.

One Fast Cajun, the even-money favorite, fought gamely throughout the 870-yard contest before settling for second, a head behind the winner. The 8-year-old gelding earned $6,000 for his runner-up finish under jockey Ubaldo Luna.

Trained by Shane Ladner for owners Darrin Ladner and Norman Ladner, One Fast Cajun was bred in Louisiana by Terry L. Gabriel. He is a son of Heza Fast Dash out of Cajun Rocket, by Lion Tamer.

A seasoned distance specialist, One Fast Cajun has compiled an impressive record of 18 wins, five seconds, and four thirds from 37 career starts, with earnings of $390,850.

His stakes accomplishments include victories in the Live Oak Stakes, two editions of the Races and Aces Stakes, two runnings of the Faubourg St. John Stakes, and the Virgil Bond Stakes. He has also finished second in the Faubourg St. John Stakes and twice in the Races and Aces Stakes, along with third-place finishes in the EVD 870 Stakes and Faubourg St. John Stakes.

Snow Bound rallied along the inside through the turn and gained ground late to finish third, 2¼ lengths behind One Fast Cajun. The 4-year-old colt earned $3,300 under jockey Bobby Ransom for trainer Dustin Rhodes.

Owned by Zach Stevenson, Snow Bound is a son of leading sire Favorite Cartel out of Apollo Snowbound, by Snowbound. The colt was bred by Bill C. Hoburg and sold for $43,000 at the 2025 Heritage Place Fall Mixed Sale.

With Saturday's third-place finish, Snow Bound improved his career record to four wins, five seconds, and two thirds from 23 starts, with earnings of $91,938.

His previous stakes performances include runner-up finishes in the G.C.F.A. All Breeds 870 Stakes and Virgil Bond Stakes. He was also a finalist in the Golden State Million Futurity(G1), Governor's Cup Futurity(G1), and PCQHRA Breeders Futurity(G2).

Completing the field, Sarahsfreighttrain finished fourth, 5¼ lengths behind Snow Bound, after passing a tiring rival in the closing stages. Cosino Rogue, who established the early pace before weakening, finished fifth. Sarahsfreighttrain was ridden by Juan Garcia, Jr., for trainer Phillip Calais, Jr., while Cosino Rogue was ridden by Noe Castaneda for trainer Hance Robbins.

The Races and Aces Stakes was contested under clear skies with an 8-mph tailwind. Run For The Prize returned $6.60 in the win, $3.20 to place, and $2.20 to show, making it the second betting choice. One Fast Cajun returned $2.40 and $2.10, with Snow Bound paying $2.10.

Live racing resumes on Wednesday with a 5:35 pm (CDT) first post. The Evangeline Downs Quarter Horse season runs through December 19.

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