Opelousas, Louisiana –First Down Toro ($17.80) dug in bravely in deep stretch to prevail over race favorite and fastest qualifier Heza Fast Classic in the $517,964 LQHBA Futurity, the richest race in the history of pari-mutuel racing in South Central Louisiana at Evangeline Downs on closing night, Saturday November 25.

Leaving alertly under jockey Eddie Cox, First Down Toro was able to establish a clear early lead over his eight rivals and that proved decisive as he was just able to hold on by a nose for the win. Heza Fast Classic, unleashed a powerful rally that just came up short. Bottle of Shine, also rallied strongly in the final 100 yards and finished a head farther behind in third. Mr Jesses Magic and AB Hope for Cash finished fourth & fifth respectively, with Best Be Dashing, A Toast to Sweet, Toast to Warrior, and Dashin Classy Lady rounding out the complete order of finish.

The running time for the 400 yards on a track labeled fast was 20.117. The speed index was 98.

Winning jockey Eddie Cox was confident the whole way.

“When he broke that well and was clear in mid-stretch despite lugging inward leaving the gap, I was thinking, ‘You guys won’t catch me because I know this guy has a big heart as well as a big motor.’ ”

For Cox, a 45-year-old veteran from the Texas panhandle, it was the biggest win of his career since capturing the middle leg of Quarter Horse racing’s triple crown, The Rainbow Futurity, aboard Doing Magic in 2001 at Ruidoso Downs in New Mexico.

First Down Toro, a Louisiana bred gelded son of Deltas First Dash, earned $221,387 for the victory, his third win in a row. He is owned by his breeders, Kathryn & Gene Smith.

Winning trainer Matt Baker stated “he’s a big colt with a bright future, we’re going to give him a little rest and then gear him up for his three-year-old campaign with the Mardi Gras Futurity at the Fairgrounds his first test.

Also on the closing night program Angelas Toast ($3.80) maintained his dominance over the three-year-old state bred division with an authoritative win in the $87,500 Louisiana Derby. Regular rider John Hamilton rode the gelded son of Toast to Dash to his seventh victory in eight starts on the season.

Chicks Can Streak, who vied for the early lead with the winner, held on for second, just in front of the fast closing Streakin Patriot & Streakin La Copper. Agents of Copper rounded out the top five, with Goforafortune, Hez Jet Black, and Game Rollick completing the order of finish. Magic Shiney and Streakin to Shine were scratched.

The running time was 17.914 for the 350 yards. The speed index was 96.

Owned by Candy Villarreal and trained by Ezequiel Villarreal, Angelas Toast increased his 2006 bankroll to $206,104 with the win. He also captured the La. Bred Derby, Vinton Stakes, and Louisiana Purchase Stakes at Delta Downs this spring/summer. He was bred by Chad Hart.

Trainer Villarreal said after the race, “he’s been a dream horse for us, the only loss he had this year was at Louisiana Downs when we ended up stuck on the highway for four hours before the race after suffering engine trouble.” He further added “Our plan is to close out the year on Champions Day and then prepare him for his four-year-old season.”

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

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