Page 174 - Speedhorse, December 2018

LQHBA Louisiana Million Night
LQHBA Louisiana Million Futurity-RG1
MPSHINNING
By Danny Camp
Amillion dollars was on the line for the ten fastest qualifiers from the Nov. 16 trials LQHBA Louisiana Million Futurity-RG1 at Evangeline Downs. Mpshinning won his trial heat by 1 3/4-lengths for the fastest qualifying position. In the Dec. 15 finals, he broke from the 1-post on top and never relinquished the lead. With a ground eating stride and steady encour- agement from Luis Vivanco, he dominated the field, again finishing 1 3/4-lengths to the good. The colt stopped the timer at :19.405 for the 400-yard race. That earned a speed index of 106 and a New Stakes Record. The son of Mr Piloto also earned first place money of $445,000, which ups his earnings to $591,654. His race record stands at six wins from eight starts.
Mpshinning is owned by Larry
J. Boudreaux and is trained by Josue Huitron. Bred in Louisiana by Jon and Donna McPherson, the colt is out of Shinningperrydash. She has produced three
starters that have chalked up eleven wins, two of them being stakes. Mpshinning is her best product.
“This is a once in a lifetime
horse,” said owner Larry
Bourdreaux. “I was nervous
before the race. The only two
races he didn’t win he was in
the 1-hole, but I had a good
feeling. I knew if he got away good, they would never catch him. When he came back from the test barn, he hung his head in the feed bucket and acted like nothing ever happened. This guy is great to handle and be around, but once you hang the blinkers on him, it’s game on. We brought in a different horseshoer before the finals. Roy “Bubba” Smith came in and made a few changes with his shoes. That made all the difference in the world. He’s sound and looking forward to a great three-year-old year. I’ll rest
him for 30 or 45 days, then we will have some choices to make. Of course we will look at the possibility of going to the mountain. I think he’s earned that chance.”
When asked where he came from Larry added, “I bought him as a yearling out of the Louisiana sale. I took
a lot of grief from people. They were amazed I gave $27,000. I thought he was the best horse in the sale. The nay sayers are quiet now. I know
a horse only has so many races in him, but nobody knows how many. I know this will come to an end someday, but I’m gonna ride the wave while I can. I am very proud of the Huitron trainers, they have carved out a living in the horse business.”
The person who is most hands on with Mpshinning is Adrian Huitron. “He was a
Evangeline Downs $1,000,000 • 400 yards 19.405 • si 106
Mr Jess Perry
Mr Piloto
Ms Pilot Point
Mpshinning ’16-c
First To Shine
Shinningperrydash
Perrys Splash N Dash
Above: Mpshinning’s winning connections include owner Larry J. Boudreaux, trainer Josue Huitron and jockey Luis Vivanco. Right: trainer Josue Huitron after the victory.
172 SPEEDHORSE, December 2018
Coady Photography