Opelousas, Louisiana –Vals Warrior ($5.80) parlayed a fast start into a clear early lead then held off a host of challengers while under strong encouragement to win the $573,055 LQHBA Futurity (the richest race in the 42-year history of Evangeline Downs) a Restricted Grade I event for two-year-old Louisiana bred Quarter Horses at Evangeline Downs Racetrack & Casino on Sunday evening.

Jockey Alfonso Lujan (the current Leading Rider at Evangeline Downs) had the son of Dashing Val ready for the start and was able to establish a one-length lead with the son of Dashing Val by the time they hit the mid-stretch marker and had enough left late to secure the victory. The winning margin was a neck and the final running time for the 400 yards on a track labeled sloppy was 20.123. The speed index was 94, a career best.

First Words, one of the outsiders in the wagering at odds of more than 24/1, gamely outfinished Cute N Shiny & Picture Perfect Game to earn the runner-up spot. Cute N Shiny continued her string of minor placings in futurity finals as the daughter of First to Shine could do no better than 3rd tonight in her fourth futurity appearance. Picture Perfect Game checked in 4th, with Mon Ti Rose next in 5th. Marcys Dashin Bye rallied belatedly after a poor start to finish 6th, followed by Lil Miss Hatch, Native Shine, Miss Game Tee, and Toast With the Most rounding out the official order of finish.

Winning Jockey Alfonso Lujan stated “He ran much stronger tonight; even though he ran the fastest qualifying time of the seventeen trials conducted on November 8th he was tiring at the end in his trial. Larry (trainer Larry Kopycinski) had him much tighter tonight. We had a clear lead with 150 yards to go but I could hear them closing in on me from both sides and while I was confident I didn’t want to take any chances and kept after him the entire way.”

Owned by Mary Lynne Thompson and trained by Larry Kopycinski, Vals Warrior earned more than $235,000 for the win, his fourth in nine starts this season. He was bred in Louisiana by Tammy Hassenpflug and M Oglivie.

For Lujan, it was another highlight in his best season as a professional rider. The 29-year-old native of Odessa, Texas captured the leading rider title this summer at Delta Downs and with just one week left in the current fall meet is poised to earn his first leading rider title at Evangeline Downs (he leads Orlando Baldillez & last year’s leading rider Danny Lavergne by 11 and 15 wins respectively) and has now won his first ever π million dollar race.

Heza Patriot Dream dominates the Val’s Fortune Stakes

Heza Patriot Dream ($11.80) rallied to the front in mid-stretch and then proceeded to pull clear from his rivals to win the $101,127 Val’s Fortune Stakes (the consolation for the LQHBA Futurity) in impressive fashion. Despite breaking a step slow from his inside post, jockey Ronald Lejeune was able to get the son of Game Patriot into the race, eventually taking charge from Toast to Juno & Gold Rush Dazzle with 200 yards remaining en route to a one-length victory. The running time for the 400 yards was 20.143 and he received a speed index of 93.

Toast to Juno & Gold Rush Dazzle finished in a dead-heat for the place, with Glaring Bye next across the finish line in 4th. Jls Dash Bye Reb was next in 5th, followed by Tf Rona N Boots, Dashin Ticket, Laney Lous Shine, and Landens Secret Toast. Miss Classy Perry was a late scratch.

Owned by Dorman Hill and trained by Donald Guidry Jr, Heza Patriot Dream earned $20,230 for the win, his 2nd in 8 career starts. Bred in Louisiana by Gidget Dugas, Heza Patriot Dream is out of the Zevi mare In Your Dreams.

Twoforthedough edges Dancingwithmemories in Evd Derby

Twoforthedough ($7.20) was reserved off the early leaders including Dancingwithmemories then rallied boldly in the final strides to gun him down and win the $87,500 Evangeline Downs Derby for three-year-olds on the LQHBA Futurity undercard. Jockey G. R. Carter Jr was able to secure a clear path in the early stages and then timed his patented late run perfectly getting the Utah bred son of First Down Dash up in the final strides. He won by a nose in 20.220 for the 400 yards and earned a speed index figure of 91.

Dancingwithmemories, the fastest qualifier, held on gamely after vying for the lead throughout. Longshot Anichini outran his odds while finishing third after setting the early pace. First Signing was next in 4th, just in front of 8/5 betting favorite Diamond Tres Seis. Look and Runaway, Mr Okey Doll and Danas Blue rounded out the complete order of finish. Truley Tuff Cash was a stakes scratch.

Owned by Joseph and Richard Bowler, Twoforthedough earned $43,750 for the victory, his first in a stakes race and fifth in his career. He has now earned more the $113,000.

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

Racing continues on a Saturday through Wednesday schedule with a post time of 6:45 p.m. each evening.