Highly Competitive Group of 3-Year-Olds Set for the final of the $233,287 LQHBA Breeders’ Derby-RG3
By BY MARTHA CLAUSSEN
OPELOUSAS, LA–DECEMBER 18, 2024–There may have been just two trials on November 30 at Evangeline Downs for the $233,287 LQHBA Breeders’ Derby [RG3], but there will be no shortage of talent in the 400-yard final coming up Saturday, December 21.
One Sweet Sugar won the first trial, setting the fastest clocking of 20.065 seconds, an 86 speed index with Leonardo Rodriguez in the saddle. Owned and bred by Rogelio Marquez, Jr., the daughter of One Sweet Jess out of Sugarshaker B by Heza Fast Dash, won by a neck over Special Wild Train B.
Trainer Jeremy Derozin will give a leg-up to Rodriguez, who also qualified The Knockout Power. Rodriguez took leading rider honors at the 2024 Fair Grounds meet, which was his first title. Marquez hoisted the trophy in last year’s edition of the race with San Lorenzo Jet.
One Sweet Sugar has lit the board 12 of 15 starts with six wins, including the Esplanade Stakes at the Fairground in September and the Lee Berwick Futurity [G1] and Lassie Futurity [G2] last year at Delta Downs. She has earned $626,870 and drew post six at odds of 7-2.
The Knockout Power was equally impressive in his trial victory, covering 400 yards in the evening’s second, clocking 20.106 seconds and an 85-speed index. Bred by Ken O’Brien, the son of Power Jam (TB), is from the Apollitical Jess mare, The Only Knockout.
Doug O. Traylor of Katy, Texas, purchased The Knockout Power for $40,000 in the 2020 LQHBA Yearling Sale. With four wins from eight starts and a fourth-place finish in last year’s LQHBA Louisiana Million, his earnings stand at $138,525. Trainer David Bustamante will give a leg up to jockey Ali Rivera.
The 2023 LQHBA Louisiana Million champion Special Wild Train B will break from the rail under Arnulfo Gutierrez. Owned by Bobby D. Cox and trained by Kenneth Roberts, Sr., the daughter of Freighttrain B, bred by Riley Blanchet, was sent off at odds of 11-1 last December. With a record of 13-4-2-1 and earnings of $497,950, she is certainly a contender in the final.
Jose Guzman’s Heza Rip continues to run well at Evangeline Downs and will make his 17th career start with Noe Castaneda aboard. Bred by Thomas Glenn Fontenot, the son of Rip Tide ran sixth in the 2023 LQHBA Louisiana Million and finished just a 1/2 length behind The Knockout Power in his Derby trial.
The $18,000 LQHBA Yearling Sale graduate is trained by Brenda Foster, who scored a victory on the 2023 Million card with Mr Crawfish ($18.40) in the Louisiana Champions Day Classic.
The LQHBA Breeders Derby is the ninth race on the program, and it gets underway at 4:30 p.m. (Central). All Evangeline Downs races can be seen at Q-Racing Video.com.
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