Louisiana Million tops rich program

Evangeline Downs will put on the richest program of Quarter Horse racing ever run in Louisiana on Saturday night, when the Opelousas track runs seven stakes races led by the $1 million LQHBA Louisiana Million.

Purses for the entire 10-race program total $1.8 million. The card is the highlight of a meet that closes Tuesday. There are six stakes being run down the straightaway, and each drew a maximum gate of 10.

“It’s a heck of a betting card with full fields,” said Tony Patterson, executive director of the Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders Association.

The Louisiana Million is the former LQHBA Breeders’ Futurity, renamed this year in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the 400-yard race for 2-yearolds bred in Louisiana. The call on the name change was made by the board of the Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders Association.

“Our board wanted a name that had something to do not only with Louisiana, but also million,” Patterson said. “We wanted it to have just a little more of an impact when people see it and read about it. I think that name does.”

Shesa Diamond Diva will attempt to be the name that goes in the record books Saturday. She was the fastest qualifier for the Louisiana Million when she won her 400-yard trial in 19.74 seconds Nov. 17 at Evangeline. She led throughout for a three-quarter-length victory in the eighth of 15 trials. Eddie Sanchez was aboard and has the mount again for trainer Saul Ramirez Jr. Shesa Diamond Diva will break from post 9.

The Louisiana Million is a restricted Grade 1, a designation used in Quarter Horse racing for a major stakes that is restricted to starters from particular state breeding programs.

“There are four restricted Grade 1 races for 2-year-olds in the country, and here in Louisiana we are fortunate to have three of them,” Patterson said.

“We try to have a marquee event at all of the racetracks in the state, but this is our biggest day by far.”

Jls Mr Bigtime, a champion whose breeder and owner, John Soileau Sr., died last weekend, will lead the post parade for the Louisiana Million. He is one of two Quarter Horse millionaires bred in Louisiana, the other being Vals Fortune, Patterson said.

The Saturday card also includes the $316,991 LQHBA Breeders Derby led by fastest qualifier Bubba Mallard and the $309,600 EvD Futurity topped by Eos A Political Win, the fastest qualifier after 12 trials Nov. 24 at Evangeline.

The night will open with a televised handicapping seminar led by Evangeline announcer Michael Chamberlain and American Quarter Horse Association fan education representative Martha Claussen.