Eye N Capo puts perfect mark on line in Evangeline Futurity

Eye N Capo brings the flashiest form into Saturday night’s $317,500 Evangeline Downs Futurity for Quarter Horses. He is unbeaten in three starts – having won each of those races by a length or more – and is looking for his second major stakes victory, following a score in the Grade 2, $384,615 Dash for Cash Futurity in October at Lone Star Park.

The Evangeline Futurity shares a card at the Opelousas, La., track with the $162,600 Evangeline Downs Derby, led by fastest qualifier Ivan James. There are two other $20,000 Quarter Horse stakes Saturday on the final card of the meet.

Evangeline Downs Futurity (race 11)

KEY CONTENDERS

Eye N Capo, by Capo de Capi

◗ He is one of three horses trainer Adrian Huitron qualified for the Evangeline Futurity. Eye N Capo turned in the second-fastest time in the Nov. 25 trials and was the quickest of his barn’s trio, which is rounded out by fourth-fastest qualifier Platinum Fdd and fifth-fastest qualifier Main Seis.

◗ Eye N Capo won his trial by 1 1/4 lengths, cruising through 400 yards in 19.67 seconds. The fastest qualifier, Maxx, covered the distance in 19.55. There were 10 trials for the Evangeline Futurity.

◗ Eye N Capo debuted in September at Lone Star Park, setting the fastest qualifying time for the Dash for Cash Futurity before winning the finale by a length Oct. 8.

◗ Damian Martinez has the mount for owner Ruben Garcia Montemayor.

Maxx, by Pyc Paint Your Wagon

◗ He is seeking his second stakes win, having won the Grade 3 Sam Houston Juvenile Challenge on May 16. In his only other stakes appearance, he was fifth by a half-length in the Grade 1, $1 million Texas Classic Futurity on Nov. 12 at Lone Star Park.

◗ Manuel Gutierrez will be aboard Maxx, who was one of six winners for the rider on the card of trials for the Evangeline Futurity.

◗ Maxx races for Irma Vargas and is trained by Rolando Almanza.

Platinum Fdd, by First Down Dash

◗ He ran second to Maxx in their trial.

◗ Earlier in the season, Platinum Fdd won for the Grade 2 Firecracker Futurity at Delta Downs.