Racing


Mardi Gras Paint Triumphs In The LQHBA Louisiana Million
Mardi Gras Paint, under jockey Jorge Linares, winning the LQHBA Louisiana Million Futurity(RG1) Saturday night at Evangeline Downs.

© Coady Photography
Mardi Gras Paint Triumphs In The LQHBA Louisiana Million

OPELOUSAS, LA—DECEMBER 7, 2019—Evangeline Downs hosted the richest race in all of Louisiana Quarter Horse racing on Saturday night with the $1,000,000 LQHBA Louisiana Million (RG1).

Trainer Miguel Rodriguez had qualified the fastest qualifier for the final tonight with Special Politico, however, it was his second entrant Mardi Gras Paint who got the glory, winning by a half-length in a final time of :19.606 seconds for the 400-yard distance over the fast track, equaling a speed index of 97.

Rodriguez mentioned after the victory that the gelding overcame quite a bit in 2019, saying, “We had some issues earlier in the year, but always knew the horse had a lot of potential. He woke up at the right moment.”

Mardi Gras Paint had an excellent break in the Million and led all the way, withstanding a challenge from No Freight and a belated run from Ed O, who came home third after being a bit fractious before the start.

“There was some action in the gate, but he (Mardi Gras Paint) has always stood well and was ready,” Rodriguez added.

The winning connections of Mardi Gras Paint accept the LQHBA Million Futurity(RG1) stakes trophy on Saturday night at Evangeline Downs.
© StallioneSearch / Greg Thompson
Mardi Gras Paint is a 2-year-old gelding by first-crop sire Paint Me Perry and is out of the Royal Quick Dash mare, Summertime Dash. The $9,500 LQHBA Yearling Sale graduate was bred in Louisiana by Eddie Cramer and Tom or Bill Maher. He is owned by Jose Alfonso Ramos and was ridden to victory by Jorge Linares.

“It’s so exiting to breed a horse like this. I want to give credit to Stephen Deville, our farm manager," co-breeder Eddie Crammer said after the race. "He picked the mare and did a great job raising him (Mardi Gras Paint)."

Justin Haug trained No Freight pressed from the outside to pick up $220,000 for finishing second. Racing for Kirk B. Chaisson and Twins Realty, the brown gelding went through LQHBA Fall Mixed Sale a year ago for $4,500.

Jockey Benito Bacca had the riding call aboard the son of multiple stakes sire Freighttrain B from the Dashin Bye mare Nobo. Bred by Chaisson, No Freight has compiled a (6) 3-2-1 record and banked $256,120 this season.

The super consistent Ed O finished a head back in third for owner Edwardo Lopez and trainer Jose Lopez. Second in the Laddie Futurity(RG2), Lee Berwick Futurity(RG1) and LQHBA Sale Futurity(RG1), the son of All American Futurity (G1) winner Mr Piloto earned $110,000 to bring his bankroll to $383,490 this season.

Anthony Gaspard and E.A. Landry, Jr. bred the sorrel gelding from the Heza Fast Dash mare Shezadashinatcha. Ed O was a $4,700 repurchase at the 2018 LQHBA Yearling Sale.

Mardi Gras Paint won at odds of 7-1 and paid $16.60 to win, $8.20 to place and $6.60 to show. No Freight returned $9.60 to place and $5 to show, while Ed O paid $5.80 to show.

Completing the "Million" field were Sir Runaway Cash, Special Politico, Leavin You Blue, Jess Redwhiteandblue, Rh Jess Momo, Heza Lawman and Lifeinthefastlanes.

Live racing at Evangeline Downs will resume on Wednesday night with an eight-race program. Post time on Wednesday will be 5:35 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.