Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeder Association

News - Headlines April 19, 2024

Third Time’s a Charm for Jessa Little Rusty in the IP 870 Stakes

Jess A Little Rusty, under jockey Gilbert Ortiz, winning the $20,000 IP 870 Stakes at Evangeline Downs on Saturday night.

OPELOUSAS, LA—DECEMBER 16, 2017—The third time was the charm for Jessa Little Rusty in the $20,000 IP 870 Stakes at Evangeline Downs on Saturday night. The 7-year-old gelding has competed in the IP Stakes for three years, finishing second and third in previous editions before winning the first stakes race on the Louisiana Millions Night card.

Jockey Gilbert Ortiz and Jessa Little Rusty ($23.80) spotted the field several lengths before gaining momentum and wearing down rivals to win by half a length. Final time for the 870-yard event was 46.158, returning a speed index of 93.

The winning connections of Jess A Little Rusty accept the IP 879 Stakes trophy Saturday night at Evangeline Downs.
© Coady Photography

Jessa Little Rusty is trained by John Stinebaugh for owner Louis Howard. He was bred in Texas by Clyde Wilmott, by Mr Jess Perry, out of the Royal Quick Dash mare Rustys Quickid.

The win in the IP Stakes was the first for Jessa Little Rusty since June of 2016, when he won the Remington Park Distance Challenge (G2). He has finished in the money in seven of his last 11 starts since that win and is 18 of 26 starts in the money around the turn. With his win in the IP Stakes, Jessa Little Rusty has lifetime earnings of $231,992.

Fast-closing Im Mighty Fast was just shy of catching Jessa Little Rusty but finished second, a length ahead of Stolis Pro in third. Ridden by Randy Edison, Im Mighty Fast is a 4-year-old son of Mighty Corona.

Im Mighty Fast is trained by Jesus Garrido and is owned by Triple C Racing Stables, LLC. Brent Cody Leblanc bred the gelding in Louisiana, out of Sheza a Fast Doll, by Beat the Feet. A former claimer, Im Mighty Fast had a breakout fall season in 2016 at Evangeline and has found success in starter optional claiming races and allowance races, hitting the board in nine of his 12 starts in 2017.

Stolis Pro and Francisco Calderon completed the trifecta for trainer Larry Kopycinski. Stolis Pro led for much of the race before being caught by Jessa Little Rusty and Im Mighty Fast, ending his recent win streak. Before Saturday, Stolis Pro had won six of his last seven starts, including his last four consecutive races, by a combined 25 lengths.

The 6-year-old Texas-bred gelding is a homebred for Jerry Windham. He is by Stoli, out of the Runaway Winner mare Veva Jean, making him a full brother to multiple graded stakes winner Stolis Winner.

Completing the field were Struttinmyjewelsoff, Bet I Make U Famous, B and G Fast Dash and Passme Some Joy.

LQHBA is the official authorized representative of the American Quarter Horse racing and breeding industry in Louisiana, the unified voice of quarter Horse breedings in the State of Louisiana for purposes of communicatting the advantages and rewards of breeding Quarter Horses in the State and for the purposes of a conducting and coordinating activities with breeding and racing agencies.