News - Racing March  29, 2024

First Prize Bourban Springs the Upset in LQHBA Breeders Derby


First Prize Bourban (insde) gets a neck in front of No Politics Here in the $316,991 LQHBA Breeders Derby Saturday at Evangeline Downs.

© Coady Photography

OPELOUSAS, LA—DECEMBER 16, 2017—Second in his trial for the $316,991 LQHBA Breeders Derby, First Prize Bourban ($21.80) turned the tables on the field in the final, defeating a full field of Louisiana-bred 3-year-olds on Louisiana Million Night at Evangeline.

With Donald Watson aboard, First Prize Bourban broke in but gained the lead quickly to win by a neck over post-time favorite No Politics Here and third-place finisher Lightemupwithcharm, who had previously defeated First Prize Bourban in their Derby trial on November 18.

The winning connections of First Prize Bourban take home the LQHBA Breeders' Derby stakes trophy Saturday at Evangeline Downs. © Coady Photography

The winning pair covered the 400-yard distance in 19.648 to earn a 99 speed index. The 3-year-old gelding is owned by Charles Boudreaux, Jr. and is trained by Kenny Roberts.

"The main thing is that he got away good tonight and held on. I was a little nervous about running him at 400 yards, but he got the job done," Roberts said following the race.

First Prize Bourban was bred in Louisiana by Weetona Stanley, sired by Coronas Leaving You and out of the Mr Jess Perry mare First Prize Pearl.

Prior to his Derby trial, First Prize Bourban was last seen winning the Treme Stakes (RG3) at the Fair Grounds in August. He has finished first or second in nine of his 11 starts and doubled his career earnings to $295,617 after his win in Saturday’s Derby.

"This horse had four wins and four seconds," Boudreaux said after the race. "I felt sure he would win another. Kenny is the master at training these quarter horses."

No Politics Here, who won his trial as the third fastest qualifier to the LQHBA Breeders Derby, finished a neck behind First Prize Bourban in second place. No Politics here was ridden by Noe Castaneda, who has had the call on the 3-year-old gelding in all of his 2017 starts.

No Politics here is owned by TM Ranch and was bred by J.E. Jumonville, Jr. Trainer Kenny Roberts picked up the exacta in the race, while his third qualifier to the race, Jrs Coronas Shadow, finished fifth.

No Politics here was sired by Jess Louisiana Blue and is out of the graded stakes placed mare In His Dreams, by Apollo. He has qualified to several stakes and recently placed third in the Louisiana Bred Derby (G3) at Delta Downs.

From the far outside, Lightemupwithcharm chased in second place before finishing third by a head to No Politics Here. Raul Hernandez was aboard for trainer Manuel Macias and owner Saul Dorado.

The son of Sizzlin Cartel was bred by Jumonville Farms out of the Feature Mr Jess mare Grace Filled Charm. Lightemupwithcharm won his trial, defeating First Prize Bourban to be the fifth fastest qualifier. His career to date features four wins in 14 starts, including appearances in the LQHBA Sale Futurity (G1) at the Fair Grounds and the Louisiana Bred Derby (G3) at Delta Downs.

Completing the field were One Hot Flame, Jrs Coronas Shadow, Shez the Bomb, Bubba Mallard, Tf Racee Runaway, Toasted Runaway and Gone Swingin.

Additional reporting by Martha Claussen.


Courtesy Ses