Lightemupwithcharm Defends Title in the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day QH Classic Stakes (RG2)

Lightemupwithcharm (4)with Luciana Duenez up pulls ahead to win the 30th running of the Grade II $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day QH Classic at Fair Grounds.

© Hodges Photography / Amanda Hodges Weir

NEW ORLEANS, LA – DECEMBER 12, 2020 - In the third stake of the day and the final Quarter horse race of the state-bred celebration card, the defending champion Lightemupwithcharm narrowly defeated Mpshinning in the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Quarter Horse Classic Stakes (RG2) at the Fair Grounds.

Lightemupwithcharm ($12.80) caught Mpshinning at the wire to win the 440-yard race by a head in 21.719. He earned a 96 speed index.

Luciano Duenez had the call on Lightemupwithcharm for trainer Miguel Rodriguez. The 6-year-old gelded son of Sizzlin Cartel was bred by Jumonville Farms, out of the Feature Mr Jess mare Grace Filled Charm.

"For some reason, he just loves running at Fair Grounds," said Rodriguez. "He ran second two years ago; won last year and ran a big race today. It just seems that as he gets older, he is getting better."

Lightemupwithcharm earned his tenth career win in Saturday’s stake and pushed his earnings to $391,870 in 31 starts. He won this race last year and was second in the 2018 edition.

The multiple stakes winner also has double victories in the Louisiana Classic Stakes (RG2) at Delta and has competed in numerous other graded stakes.

Mpshinning was the post-time even money favorite for Saturday’s stake and led until late in the race. The 4-year-old colt has earned just over $800,000 in 21 career starts, including ten wins and six second-place efforts. His career stakes wins are the LQHBA Louisiana Million Futurity (RG1) as a 2-year-old and the Mid City Stakes (RG3) and the Miss Polly Classic (G2) this summer and fall. He has run in multiple additional graded stakes races, with second-place efforts in the Dash for Cash Derby (G2) and the Dash for Cash Futurity (G2).

Mpshinning was ridden by Everardo Rodriguez for trainer Adrian Huitron and owner Larry Boudreaux. Jon and Donna McPherson bred the Mr Piloto colt out of Shinningperrydash, by First to Shine.

Happie Happie Happie and David Alvarez completed the trifecta for trainer Juan Carrillo, Jr. and owner Juan Carrillo, Sr. The Jumpn gelding was bred by Chad Hart, out of the Royal Shake Em mare Goddess Athena.

The 8-year-old gelding made his 35th career start on Saturday and earned his first career placing in a graded stake. Though much of his career has developed in claiming races, he has competed in several stakes and has amassed earnings of $176,672.

Completing the field were Eysa Jess Jumpn, Tuckers Prize, Fabulously Black, Five Bar Jewel, Barjaxs, Achieveopiloto and No Politics Here.