Dashnunder Afullmoon Earns Fourth Stakes Victory in $266,560 LQHBA Breeders’ Derby

OPELOUSAS, LA—DECEMBER 15, 2018—Reliable and talented as always, Dashnunder Afullmoon picked up another stakes victory in the $266,560 LQHBA Breeders’ Derby on Saturday night at Evangeline.

Dashnunder Afullmoon ($3.60) was the post-time favorite in the field of ten, and she was the second fastest qualifier from three trials held in November. She won her trial, as well as her previous start, a trial for the All American Derby at Ruidoso Downs in August.

With Raul Ramirez, Jr. aboard, the daughter of Heza Fast Dash covered the 400-yard race in 19.438 to earn a speed index of 105.

"She hesitated a little bit at the start; then really came on," Ramirez said after the race. "She's a very special filly, very fast."

It was the second stakes win of the night for a horse sired by Heza Fast Dash; Heza Made Man won the LQHBA Million Invitational earlier on the card.

Dashnunder Afullmoon was bred in Louisiana by D & S Racing, out of the Dash Ta Fame mare Full Moon Dasher. She is trained by Josue Ponce for owner Rogelio Marquez, Jr.

"We are blessed to have her, Marquez said after the win. "She's been great for us as we took the risk in purchasing her ($44,500) at the LQHBA Yearling Sale and we got a pretty good deal!"

She has won eight of her 11 career starts; the only occasion in which she finished off the board was a fourth-place finish in the Junos Request Stakes (G2) at Remington Park in June. With the win in the LQHBA Breeders’ Derby, her career earnings already total $711,951.

The filly was vanned off following the race but her connections said she was OK. Rogelio added that they would see how she does, but is most likely Dashnunder Afullmoon is going to the breeding shed in 2019.

Shesa Diamond Diva and Eddie Sanchez actually led for most of the race alongside Dashnunder Afullmoon, who chased from her outside post position.

Shesa Diamond Diva was the second choice of the wagering public. The 3-year-old filly was second in the LQHBA Million Futurity (RG1) in 2017 and she has only finished worse than second once in her 11 career starts.

Trained by Jose Sanchez for Crown Horse Racing, LLC, Shesa Diamond Diva was the fastest qualifier to Saturday’s Derby. She was bred in Louisiana by Paul Fontenot, Jr., by Struttin to Beduino and out of the Heza Fast Dash mare Sheza Fortune.

Eye Am Sizzlin and Ricardo Hernandez, Jr. finished a length behind the two fillies to place third. One of the longest shots on the board, Eye Am Sizzlin won his trial and has qualified for multiple other stakes, including the 2017 LQHBA Million Futurity.

Eye Am Sizzlin is by Sizzlin Cartel and out the Mr Jess Perry mare Eye Opening Jess; he was bred by Jumonville Farms in Louisiana. He is trained by Levi Mays for owner M and D Racing Stables.

Completing the field were Cant Catchacorona, Gunna Be Alright, Featuring Fast Jess, Fabulously Black, Jrs Taylors Runnaway, Sting Lika B and Ima Gone Reba.