Opelousas, Louisiana – Rogelio Tristan’s Heza Fast Classic ($19.40) recorded the fastest running time of the 151 Louisiana bred two-year-olds who competed in sixteen trials for the Grade I LQHBA Futurity at Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino on Saturday evening.

Heza Fast Classic, with only a maiden victory to his credit in three prior starts, announced his presence with a dominating score over LQHBA Sales Futurity Consolation winner Call Me Jess Love in the night’s third trial under jockey Juan Molina Jr. Trained by Janie Hernandez, the gelded son of Heza Fast Dash covered the 400 yards in 20.082 on a track labeled fast.

Other impressive performances on the evening were recorded by Tip Em ($10.40), First Down Toro ($9.80), and Dashin Classy Lady ($8.40). Bottle of Shine ($2.60) the shortest price winner on the program and probable morning-line favorite for the final earned his berth with a professional victory in 20.202 over Mr Jesses Magic in the seventh trial.

The final, which will be held on the closing night of the fall quarter horse meeting, Saturday, November 25, will feature a purse of $517,964, making it not only be the richest race in the more than forty-year history of racing in the Lafayette, La. area, but one of the richest races in the country over the four-day holiday weekend.

Here is the complete list of qualifiers and their running times for the LQHBA Futurity and consolation to be run on Saturday, November 25, and Friday, November 24, respectively.

$517,964.00 LQHBA Futurity Final
Heza Fast Classic	20.082
Tip Em	20.088
First Down Toro	20.107
Dashin Classy Lady	20.132
Bottle of Shine	20.202
A Toast to Sweet	20.206
Mr Jesses Magic	20.221
Ab Hope for Cash	20.269
Best Be Dashing	20.324
Toast to Warrior	20.340

 

$91,405.00 LQHBA Futurity Consolation
My King Jewel	20.361
McM Dozen Dasher	20.381
Miss Flash for Cash	20.381
Heza Jodys Toast	20.387
Exonerated Cash	20.390
Call Me Red Hank	20.396
Sky Patriot	20.402
Toast to Heaven	20.411
Kittys Fast Dash	20.414
Oh So Daunting	20.416

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

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