LQHBA Breeders’ Derby Qualifiers

Party Tyme Racing’s Gold Gun Z won the first of two trials on Saturday at Evangeline Downs to set the fastest qualifying time for the $125,000-estimated LQHBA Breeders’ Derby (RG3). Noe Castaneda was aboard the Gold Heart Eagle V gelding for a narrow victory over San Lorenzo Chrome in a time of :17.621 for a 98 speed index at 350 yards. 

Bred by Slash Z Quarter Horses and trained by Jose Espinosa, Gold Gun Z is now a winner of six of 12 career starts. The $122,000 graduate of the LQHBA Yearling Sale has banked $323,654 and will be seeking his third stakes win in the final. The Louisiana-bred won last year’s $291,932 Louisiana Breeders’ Laddie Futurity (RG2) and this year’s $154,320 Delta Downs Louisiana-bred Derby (RG3). 

Rogelio Marquez Jr.’s San Lorenzo Chrome, a colt by Freighttrain B, finished a head behind Gold Gun Z and was defeated for the first time in his five-race career. The Juan Garcia trainee was making his first start since December 21 of last year when he won the $1-million LQHBA Louisiana Million Futurity (RG1) at Evangeline Downs. He brings earnings of $477,139 into the final. 

The other trial went to Tommy Rhodes Moneys On, a Tarzanito gelding trained by Vann Haywood. Moneys On clocked the third-fastest time of :17.819 with his fifth win from 12 career starts. 

The complete list of qualifiers for the December 20 final is as follows: Gold Gun Z (:17.621), San Lorenzo Chrome (:17.642), Moneys On (:17.819), Beleavin (:17.955), Your Wagon Or Mine (:17.955), XDW Jess A Rogue (:17.958), Blackjack TLC (:17.986), Hes Bold As Corona (:18.068), Freighttrain Lee (:18.159) and Fast Dashin Lou (:18.222).

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