You Drive I Fly rolls in LQHBA Louisiana Million

You Drive I Fly improved his career record to 4 for 5 Saturday night when he darted to a length win over Shesa Diamond Diva in the $1 million LQHBA Louisiana Million at Evangeline Downs.

The race, formerly called the LQHBA Breeders’ Futurity, was the richest of seven stakes on a card worth $1.8 million. The program was the richest Quarter Horse card ever run in Louisiana.

You Drive I Fly ($6) was always prominent, taking the lead in the stretch and increasing his advantage to the wire. He covered 400 yards on a fast track in 19.66 seconds. You Drive I Fly came into the Louisiana Million off a 1 3/4-length win in his trial Nov. 17 at Evangeline.

"He was pretty sharp in the trials," said Donald Watson, who was aboard for trainer Kenny Roberts. "I knew the others would have to run the race of their lives to beat him in the final."

Roberts has now won eight runnings of the rich futurity, according to LQHBA publicist Martha Claussen. This was his second win in the race since it’s been worth $1 million.

"I have to thank the good Lord and all the owners I have," Roberts said. "It's amazing that I have these kind of people backing me up."

You Drive I Fly races for his breeders, Richard and Janelle Simon. He earned $445,000 for the win, which was his first in a stakes. You Drive I Fly is a son of Jet Black Patriot.

The Louisiana Million was a restricted Grade 1 and was for horses bred in Louisiana.

Roberts and Watson also won the second richest race on the card Saturday, with First Prize Bourbon in the $316,991 LQHBA Breeders’ Derby. It, too, was for Louisiana-breds. First Prize Bourbon ($21.80) held for a neck win over No Politics Here, while covering 400 yards in 19.64 seconds.

"The main thing is that he got away good tonight and held on," Roberts said. "I was a little nervous about running him at 400 yards, but he got the job done."

First Prize Bourbon races for Charles Boudreaux Jr., and is a son of Coronas Leaving You.

Trainer John Stinebaugh and jockey Gilbert Ortiz had a stakes double on the card when Corona Ranger wired the field in the $309,600 EVD Futurity and Jessa Little Rusty ($23.80) accounted for the $20,000 IP 870 Stakes.

Corona Ranger ($40.60) was a three-quarter-length winner over Sunset Run. He covered 400 yards in 19.76 seconds. Corona Ranger is a son of Corona Cartel who races for Vanessa Bartoo.

In other stakes, Beaus Famous ($33) was a three-quarter-length winner over Eyesa Texan in the $182,500 EVD Derby; Ho Lotta Game ($7.60) won the $40,000 Invitational; and Jess Bein The Hero ($5.40) delivered as a supplement to the $20,000 Sam’s Town.