Page 151 - December 2017

Louisiana Million Futurity-RG1
YOU DRIVE I FLY
by Michael Cusortelli • photos by Coady Photography & Bee Silva
You Drive I Fly, a homebred colt owned by Richard and Janelle Simon of Zachary, Louisiana, earned his first stakes victory in the Dec. 16, 400-yard Louisiana Million Futurity-RG1 at Evangeline Downs.
Ridden by Donald Watson for trainer Kenny Roberts, You Drive I Fly defeated fastest qualifier Shesa Diamond Diva by 1-length in :19.663. In addition to earning a lifetime-best 98 speed index, the colt banked the $445,000 winner’s share of the $1 million purse, the state of Louisiana’s richest for any breed.
You Drive I Fly was coming off of a 1 3/4-length victory in one of 15 Louisiana Million trials on Nov. 17. Covering the 400 yards in :19.805 that night, he posted the third-fastest qualifying time.
“He was pretty sharp in his trial,” said Watson. “Kenny and his crew had him run- ning good. I knew the others would have to run the races of their lives to beat him in the final.”
You Drive I Fly is by Jet Black Patriot, a homebred 11-year-old son of Game Patriot who won this race for the Simons in 2008. The colt is one of three winners from as many
starters produced by Shakemupperry, an unraced daughter of 1994 Champion 2 Year Old Mr Jess Perry.
You Drive I Fly traces back to his fourth dam, Shake It To Em. A
winning mare by two-time
World Champion Dash For
Cash, Shake It To Em was a finalist in three futurities at Los Alamitos in ’80, includ- ing the Golden State and Kindergarten.
Roberts was the leading
trainer for the Evangeline fall
Quarter Horse meet, which
ended on December 19. The
veteran conditioner was cele-
brating his eighth victory in
this race, which began as the
Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders’ Association Futurity in 1967 and first achieved graded status 19 years later.
“It never gets old,” Roberts said after
the race. “I had a really good feeling about
this horse tonight. When the 9 horse (Shesa Diamond Diva) got away from him early, it got
a little scary. But this horse has a big heart, and tonight he showed the kind of horse he is.
“My brother told me when he broke this horse that he thought he was special,” he
added. “He told me to take my time with him, and he said that in the long run he was going to show me what he had and that we would get the good out of him. He was so big, and he showed tonight that he has a lot of talent.”
Raced exclusively in Louisiana, You Drive I Fly has won four of five starts, and he has earned $590,134. His resume includes a second- place finish, a half of a length behind winner Dashnunder
Afullmoon, in the 350-yard $705,495 Lee Berwick Memorial Futurity-RG1 for state-bred juveniles at Delta Downs on July 8.
You Drive I Fly began his career with a two-race win streak that included a two-length score in his Lee Berwick trial.
“This is kind of an emotional win for
Evangeline Downs $1,000,000 • 400 yards :19.663 • si 98
Game Patriot
Jet Black Patriot
First Down Hemp
YOU DRIVE I FLY, ’15-c.
Mr Jess Perry
Shakemupperry
Shake Em Dash
Donald Watson & You Drive I Fly win the LQHBA Louisiana Million Futurity by 1-length
SPEEDHORSE, December 2017 149
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