OPELOUSAS, LA—DECEMBER 7, 2019—Probably the best distaff Quarter Horse in the nation, Eysa Jess Jumpn easily picked up her ninth win from nine starts this season by defeating restricted Grade 1 winner Mpshinning by 1-½ lengths in the $280,662 LQHBA Breeders' Derby Saturday night at Evangeline Downs.

Under regular rider Pedro Espinosa, Eysa Jess Jumpn cleared the field quickly as she competed the 400 yards in :19.315 seconds, equaling a 105 speed index with a 4 mph tailwind. It was the 14th career win in 17 starts for the daughter of leading sire Heza Fast Dash and the $124,895 winners' purse boosted her lifetime mark to $887,537.

Racing for owner Jose Estrada Quarter Horses and trainer Fructuoso Huitron, the brown filly kicked off the season with a win in the Billy Montgomery Stakes at Louisiana Downs January 19th. She followed that with wins in the Grade 3 Sam Houston Derby, restricted Grade 3 Delta Downs Louisiana Bred Derby and Grade 2 Dash For Cash Derby at Lone Star Park.

“I thought that $11,000 was a good price for yearling, but I never imagined she would win so many races," owner Jose Estrada said of the first horse he's ever owned following the race. "We will send her to Spring Hill Farms and flush some embryos. Hopefully we will get some good babies."

Bred by D & S Racing LLC, Eysa Jess Jumpn is out of the Mr Jess Perry mare Jess Jumpn. Last season she was won five of eight starts including the Lee Berwick Futurity(RG1), Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile(RG2) and was third in the LQHBA Louisiana Million Futurity(RG1).

"She has been a Cinderella story," Erin Chrisman of Spring Hill said after the race. "Her earnings have been impressive, but she has been a filly that everyone could cheer for."

Last year's "million" winner Mpshinning chased in vain but still earned $61,746 for second, pushing his career mark to $695,282. Adrian Huitron trains the son of All American Futurity(G1) winner Mr Piloto for owner Larry Bourdreux.

Jockey Victor Urieta, Jr. was aboard the bay colt who also won the Gillespie County Fair Futurity and was second in the Dash For Cash Futurity(G2) at 2 and second in the Dash For Cash Derby(G2) this year. Bred by Jon and Donna McPherson, from the First To Shine mare Shinningperrydash, Mpshinning has compiled a (14) 7-4-0 record.

Dennis Mills Partners LLC's Five Bar Perry finished another 1-¼ lengths back to earn $30,873 for third. Katie Carlos trains the son of leading second crop sire Five Bar Cartel from the Rakin In The Cash mare Miss Classy Perry. Bred by Ryan Phillips, Five Bar Perry has banked $151,365.

Eysa Jess Jumpn paid $2.60 to win, $2.10 to place and $2.10 to show. Mpshinning returned $2.40 to place and $2.40 to show, while Five Bar Perry paid $5.20 to show.

Barjaxs, Rf Fast Dash N Blue, Fastcopata, This Girls A Runaway, Achieveopiloto, Shez Game and Watch My Body completed the field.

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.