© Hodges Photography / Ann Switalski
BY MICHAEL CUSORTELLI
OPELOUSAS, LA—NOVEMBER 23, 2021—Apollitical High and Sir Louisiana Dash are among the 21 state-bred sophomores entered in Saturday’s Louisiana QHBA Breeders’ Derby (RG3) trials at Evangeline Downs.
The 10 fastest qualifiers from Saturday’s three 400-yard heats will meet in the December 18, $100,000-added LQHBA Breeders’ Derby final.
Apollitical High is a sorrel son of Apollitical Blood trained by Rosendo Valdez Jr. for owner Rosendo Valdez. A $12,000 purchase at the 2019 Louisiana QHBA Yearling Sale, the gelding has earned $101,583 from six races this year, and his two stakes wins include a 1 1/4-length victory in the March 27, $121,000 Mardi Gras Derby (R) at Louisiana Downs.
Apollitical High drew post 3 and will be ridden by Everardo Rodriguez in the second trial.
Sir Louisiana Dash races for Rogelio Marquez Jr. from the barn of trainer Hector Alcala. A gelded son of Sir Runaway Dash, he scored a neck victory at odds of 22-1 in the July 31, $203,000 Delta Downs Derby (RG3).
Sir Louisiana Dash is coming off of a third-place finish against aged Louisiana-bred runners in the 350-yard, $35,000 Mid-City Stakes (G3) on October 9. The gelding drew the rail post and will be ridden by David Alvarez in the third heat.
All Evangeline Downs races can be seen at Q-RacingVideo.com.