Mpshinning leads Louisiana Million

Jockey Luis Vivanco was the big winner last month at Evangeline Downs during trials for the richest Quarter Horse race in Louisiana, the $1 million LQHBA Louisiana Million. He was aboard three horses who qualified, and for the finale Saturday night he will team with Mpshinning.

The Louisiana Million anchors a card of seven stakes worth more than $1.8 million. The program is the most significant of the Quarter Horse meet at Evangeline.

Mpshinning came out on top after 14 trials for the Louisiana Million, setting the fastest qualifying time when he won his 400-yard heat in 19.64 seconds Nov. 16. Mpshinning led throughout for a 1 3/4-length win in a performance that figures to send him to post as the favorite for owner Larry Boudreaux and trainer Josue Huitron. He will break from the rail Saturday.

Earlier this year, Mpshinning won the $154,000 Gillespie County Fair Futurity in Texas.

Vivanco’s other qualifiers were His Louisiana Dream, who put up the fifth-fastest qualifying time and will be ridden in the finale by Ricky Ramirez, and Five Bar Jewel, the ninthfastest qualifier, to be ridden in the finale by J.A. Flores.

The Louisiana Million is for eligible 2-year-olds bred in Louisiana.

Evangeline also has an open-company futurity on the program. The $311,470 EvD Futurity is the second-richest offering Saturday.

Jordan Eagle set the fastest qualifying time when he covered 400 yards in a near-track-record time of 19.44 seconds Nov. 23. He led throughout and won by a widening margin of 3 1/4 lengths. There were 11 trials for the finale. Jesse Levario has the mount on Jordan Eagle from post 10 for owner Javier Rosique and trainer Josue Ponce.

Ponce and Levario also will team with the fastest qualifier in the $160,010 EvD Derby. Three Bar Cartel won his 400-yard trial in 19.61 seconds to lead his peers Nov. 24 at Evangeline. He races for Ruben Garcia Montemayor.

The other major stakes on the card is the $265,560 LQHBA Breeders’ Derby. The fastest qualifier was Shesa Diamond Diva, and her chief rival appears to be a fellow 3-year-old filly, Dashnunder Afullmoon.