Special Wild Train B Rolls On By In The $1,000,000 LQHBA Louisiana Million Futurity

Special Wild Train B, under jockey Arnulfo Gutierrez, winning the $1-million LQHA Louisiana Million Futurity at Evangeline Downs Saturday night.

© Coady Photography

OPELOUSAS, LA—DECEMBER 16, 2023—Special Wild Train B finished off a magical meet for trainer Kenneth Roberts, Sr. and jockey Arnulfo Gutierrez as they teamed up to capture the $1,000,000 LQHBA Louisiana Million (RG1) at Evangeline Downs Saturday night. 

The Million was the main event of a card that included six other stake races for Louisiana-bred runners, including the LQHBA Breeders Derby (RG3), the Million Invitational, three Champions Day events and the newly added Leverne Perry Stakes.  The races were contested over a racetrack left sloppy with persistent rains.

The leading rider for the first time in his brief career, Arnulfo Gutierrez and Special Wild Train B were away in good order in the Million. Fastest trial qualifier Hoztile Takeover was away best, with Grand Feature and Eyesa Freighttrain B also in the early mix.  Favored The Knockout Power was brushed at the start and was in chase mode early.

Moving past the midway point with Hoztile Takeover dueling with Grand Feature, Special Wild Train B was just beginning to wind up with her final surge.

In the final 50 yards, she was clearly moving best of all and rushed on by to win by a half-length over Eyesa Freighttrain B.  Hoztile Takeover was just a head back in third, while The Knockout Power arrived late to finish fourth.

The running time for the 400-yard distance was :19.699 seconds and the winner earned a speed index of 93.

LQHBA Executive Director Bruce Salard presents the Louisiana Million Futurity stakes trophy to owner-breed Rodney Verret at Evangeline Downs. © Coady Photography

Special Wild Train B, from the barn of meet leader Roberts, Sr., wins for the third time in her ninth career start and earns $445,000 in the victory.  Her career bankroll balloons to $480,520.

"Her problem all year was breaking from the gate," stated Roberts. "When she left like she did, I knew it was all over! Ever since the trials, I told everyone that I believed it was a wide open final. What made me confident is that she out ran a horse that had won a half million dollars. My filly just peaked at the right time."

Bred by Riley Blanchet and purchased by owner 86-year-old Rodney Verret for $22,000 in the LQHBA Yearling Sale last year.

"I believed in this filly and knew she was going to come out running," Verret said. "Kenny Roberts is like a brother to me and being surrounded by so many great people, like J.E. and Bunny Jumonville, means the world. me. I have been in several million dollar futurities, but never won one."

Special Wild Train B is a 2-year-old bay filly by world champion sire Freighttrain B.  She is the foal out of the Tres Seis mare A Special Beauty.

With a late run under jockey Sabino Reyes, Eyesa Freighttrain B picked up $220,000 for finishing second. Jose Espinosa saddled the son of Freighttrain B for owner Party Tyme Racing.

Louisiana Million Futurity winner Special Wild Train B returns to the Evangeline Downs winner's circle under jockey Arnulfo Gutierrez. © Coady Photography

Bred by Jumonville Farms and Burnett ranch, from the Mr Jess Perry mare Eyejesslovelouisiana, Eyesa Freighttrain B who was won the Lassie Futurity(RG2) and was second in the Lee Berwick Futurity(RG1) has banked $517,794 this season.

Fastest qualifier and LQHBA Sale Futurity(RG1) runner-up Hoztile Takeover took home $110,000 for third. The son of multiple stakes sire One Sweet Jess finished a head back, under jockey Ubado Luna, for trainer Martinez Guillermo and owners Mackenzie Kretschmer and Luis Armando Castellanos.

Roland Frederick and Triple Lynn Farms bred the $11,500 LQHBA Yearling Salle repurchase from the Identity Theft mare Ms Pilot Id. Hoztile Takeover has earned $220,959 in 10 starts this year.

Special Wild Train B returned a healthy $25.60 in the win, $9 to place and $5.40 to show.  Eyesa Freighttrain B paid $4.80 and $3.20, with Hoztile Takeover paying $4.

Competing the field, with earnings in parentheses, were The Knockout Power ($50,000), Grand Feature ($40,000), Heza Rip ($30,000), One Sweet Sugar ($28,000), Blood Aztec ($26,500),Freightless ($25,500), and Rouge Fast Dash ($25,000).

Additional reporting by Martha Claussen.

The 2024 Evangeline Downs Thoroughbred season is tentatively set to kick off a 76-day meet on April 3.

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For more information on the American Quarter Horse season at Evangeline Downs, visit the track's website 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 and Hotel, a property of Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE:BYD), features exciting casino action, live horse racing and fun dining experiences. Evangeline Downs is in Opelousas, Louisiana, off I-49 on Cresswell Lane at Exit 18.