Opelousas, Louisiana – Dash to Celebrate ($6.00) tracked the early leaders before taking command in mid-stretch en route to a clear cut victory in the $336,198 LQHBA Sales Futurity for Louisiana bred two-year-old Quarter Horses at Evangeline Downs Racetrack and Casino on Sunday evening. Jockey Larry Payne had the altered son of Toast to Dash much closer to the early pace after breaking alertly from the outside post in the nine-horse field and that proved the difference as his patented late charge proved more than enough to record the victory. He won by more than a half-length in 17.945 for the 350 yards earning a speed index figure of 95 on a track labeled fast.

Streakin Bye First unleashed a furious late rally to grab the runner-up slot, just in front of early pacesetters Toast Ta Fame and Angels Quick Scoop. Miss Classy Perry was next in 5th, followed by Cute N Shiny. Pro Prospect, Indubitably Gone, and Marcys Dashin Bye rounded out the complete order of finish. Miss Creek Dasher, the fastest qualifier of the more the 140 youngsters who competed in a total of 15 trials on Opening Night, was a late scratch.

Winning Jockey Larry Payne stated “The two times I rode him prior to tonight he broke well but didn’t push off with his hind legs and although he overcame that obstacle in the trial, we found ourselves with too much ground to make up in the La. Bred Futurity at Delta Downs in which he suffered his lone defeat, a third place finish behind Senor Seebolt. Tonight he broke perfectly from the gate and pushed off strongly with his back legs and from that point on I was extremely confident as I knew he has a terrific late kick and he proved me right as he was an easy winner.”

Owned by Mars Racing & Robicheaux Ranch, Inc., the gelding earned more than $138,000 for the win, his fifth in six career starts. Although this was the first Stakes win for Dash to Celebrate, he pushed his lifetime earnings past the $217,000 mark. Bred locally by Narciso Flores, Dash to Celebrate is out of the Royal Quick Dash mare Yahoo Lets Celebrate.

Also on Sunday evening was the $59,329 Sales Stakes, the consolation for the LQHBA Sales Futurity, and Dash to Sta Rich recorded a wire-to-wire victory under jockey Donald Watson. A gelded son of Dashin Val, Dash to Sta Rich left quickly from the gate and opened up a clear lead over his four rivals including runner-up Heza Patriot Dream that he would never relinquish. He won by a long nose in 18.022 for the 350 yards.

Heza Patriot Dream battled gamely in the final 100 yards to just miss. Mr Magic Scoop was a non-threatening third, a length behind the top two, with Gold Rush Dazzle checking in 4th. Even-money favorite Six Figure Fortune faded to fifth and last after showing brief early speed. Hesa Hoot, Native Shine, Unreal Kick, Vals Warrior, and Wild Mr Bill were all scratched.

Trained by Donald Rubin, Dash to Sta Rich returned $11.80 to his backers for the win, his first in five career starts. Owned and bred in Louisiana by Sta Rich Racing LLC, he earned $11,865 for the victory.

Racing continues on a Thursday through Sunday schedule with a post time of 6:20 p.m. each evening.

For more information contact Evangeline Downs at 337 594-3000.