Mpshinning sets track record with Louisiana Million win

Jockey Luis Vivanco made the right choice. He had qualified three horses for the $1 million LQHBA Louisiana Million last month and on Saturday night at Evangeline Downs won the state’s richest Quarter Horse race aboard Mpshinning.

Mpshinning ($2.80) was the fastest qualifier during 14 trials, and in the finale he set a track record by covering 400 yards in 19.40 seconds. The track was fast. Mpshinning won wire to wire, cruising by 1 1/2 lengths over Dasha Blue. It was another neck back to Prize Dasher in third.

“I’m very happy to win this race and thank everyone for having faith in me,” Vivanco told publicity at Evangeline.

The Louisiana Million anchored a card of seven stakes worth $1.8 million. The program was the most significant of the Quarter Horse meet at Evangeline.

Vivanco rode Mpshinning, who broke from the rail, for Larry Boudreaux and trainer Josue Huitron.

“We knew he had to break well to win the finale, so we worked with him in the gates,” Huitron told publicity. “You dream about winning a million-dollar futurity. It’s hard to put it into words.”

Mpshinning is a son of Mr Piloto.

“When we looked at him in the LQHBA yearling sale we couldn’t find anything wrong with him,” Boudreaux told publicity. “We thought he was the best horse in the sale and he proved that tonight. My brothers and I got our passion for horses from our mother, Barbara Jo. She passed away in 1975 and is with us in spirit.”

Vivanco’s other qualifiers were Five Bar Jewel, who ended up seventh Saturday, and His Louisiana Dream, who finished ninth in the finale at Evangeline.

The Louisiana Million was for eligible 2-year-olds bred in Louisiana.

EvD Futurity

Evangeline also had an open-company futurity on the program and the fastest qualifier also prevailed, with Jordan Eagle a head winner over Wii B in the $311,470 EvD Futurity. He covered 400 yards in 19.45 seconds. Jesse Levario was aboard the winner for Javier Rosique and trainer Josue Ponce.

Ponce also won the $265,560 LQHBA Breeders’ Derby when Dashnunder Afullmoon proved a neck best over Shesa Diamond Diva. The winner covered 400 yards in 19.43 seconds. Dashnunder Afullmoon returned $3.60.

“She hesitated a little bit at the start, then really came on,” winning rider Raul Ramirez Jr., told publicity. “She’s a very special filly. Very fast.”

Owner Rogelio Marquez Jr., indicated to publicity that Dashnunder Afullmoon would likely be bred in 2019.

In the other major stakes on the card, Stone Cold Leader ($8.20) was a three-quarter-length winner over Jess Adalida in the $160,010 EvD Derby. The winner covered 400 yards in 19.45 seconds. Rolando Pina was aboard the winner for Patrick Richardson and trainer Joe M. Davis.