Mpshinning Dominants With Track Record Victory In The $1,000,000 LQHBA Louisiana Million

OPELOUSAS, LA—DECEMBER 15, 2018—Mpshinning was the fastest qualifier for tonight’s $1,000,000 LQHBA Louisiana Million (RG1) and he lived up to the advanced billing by not only winning the race, but setting a new Evangeline Downs track record. He completed the 400-yard distance in a time of :19.405 seconds, equaling a speed index of 106 over the fast track.

Mpshinning broke well from his inside post position and once he got rolling under jockey Luis Vivanco, the race was over. He pulled away from the competition and scored a victory by 1-1/2 lengths over 22-1 longshot, Dasha Blue. Prize Dasher overcame a bobble at the beginning and rallied to finish third.

"I'm very happy to win this race and thank everyone for having faith in me," Vivanco in the winners' circle.

The winner was sent off as the 2-5 favorite by the wagering public and paid $2.80 to win, $2.40 to place and $2.10 to show. Dasha Blue returned $14.60 to place and $7.80 to show. Prize Dasher paid $4 to show.

Mpshinning was bred in Louisiana by Jon and Donna McPherson. The 2-year-old colt was purchased for $27,000 in the 2017 LQHBA Yearling Sale by his owner Larry J. Boudreaux.

"When we looked at him in the LQHBA Yearling Sale we couldn’t find anything wrong with him," Boudreaux said after the big win. "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."

"He ran great in the trials, we knew he had to break well to win the final so we worked with him in the gates," trainer Josue Huitron said after the race. " You dream about winning a million dollar Futurity, it’s hard to put it into words.," he added.

Mpshinning is by 2010 All-American Futurity winner, Mr Piloto, and out of the First To Shine mare, Shinningperrydash. Mpshinning has now won six of eight lifetime starts and the $445,000 first-place purse increases his lifetime earnings to $591,654.

Runner-up Dasha Blue picked up $220,000 for finishing second for owners Eduardo Morales and Christine Morales. The $12,000 LQHBA Yearling Sale graduate is also trained by Eduardo. Jumonville Farms bred the Jess Louisiana Blue filly for the Fishers Dash mare Dasha Effort. Noe Castaneda was riding.

Prize Dasher, a $26,000 LQHBA Yearling Sale graduate by second-crop sire Fast Prize Jordan, earned $110,000 for third. Owned by Rogelio Marquez, Jr., the lightly raced 2-year-old gelding is a half-brother to Marquez' multiple grade 1 winning Dashnunder Afullmoon who won the LQHBA Breeders' Derby on tonight's care at Evangeline Downs.

Raul Ramirez, Jr. had the riding call aboard the gelding from the Dash To Fame mare Full Moon Dasher for trainer Fernando Lopez. D & S Racing LLC is the breeder.

Achievopiloto, Lrh Mojo Rising, Tetris B, Five Bar Jewel, Barjaxs and His Louisiana Dream completed the field. Shakeshakeshakeit was scratched.

Live racing at Evangeline Downs will resume on Monday afternoon with a nine-race program. Post time on Monday will be 3:15 pm Central Time.

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For more information on the American Quarter Horse season at Evangeline Downs, visit the track's website at evdracing.com. Evangeline Downs' Twitter handle is @EVDRacing and the racetrack is also accessible on Facebook at www.facebook.com/EvangelineDownsRacing.

About Evangeline Downs
Evangeline Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel is owned by Boyd Gaming Corporation, a leading diversified owner and operator of 22 gaming entertainment properties located in Nevada, New Jersey, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. Boyd Gaming press releases are available at www.prnewswire.com. Additional news and information can be found at www.boydgaming.com, or evangelinedowns.com.