JLS Mr Bigtime Poised to Surpass the $1 Million Mark in Career Earnings

JLS Mr Bigtime Poised to Surpass the $1 Million Mark in Career Earnings
Louisiana-bred to Run in the $50,000 Opelousas Stakes on Saturday, November 15
at Evangeline Downs

By Martha Claussen

One of the top accredited Louisiana-breds in the state's history is on the brink of a major career milestone.

JLS Mr Bigtime, bred and owned by JLS-Speedhorse Ranch will eclipse the million dollar earnings mark should he finish in the top four in the 400-yard $50,000 Opelousas Stakes, the featured race Saturday, November 15 at Evangeline Downs.

The son of Bigtime Favorite out of the Osceola Warrior mare Psalmist has bankrolled $998,447 in 27 career starts. His rise to fame began in 2010 when he ran second in the $1.9 million All American Futurity (G1). He returned to Louisiana two months later to win the $526,593 LQHBA Futurity (RG1) at Evangeline Downs. He was named 2010 champion 2-year-old gelding and continued his prowess as a 3-year-old, running fourth in the Rainbow Derby (G1) and third in the All American Derby (G1) at Ruidoso Downs.

JLS Mr Bigtime is only the second accredited Louisiana Bred Quarter Horse to reach this milestone. The first was Vals Fortune with over $1,111,591 in lifetime earnings. Trainer Darrell Soileau feels that his 6-year-old will give a good account of himself on Saturday night.

"He's training really well and eating good," said Soileau. "I'm confident in my rider (Patrick Watson), who has known this horse since he was a 2-year-old."

Saturday night, JLS Mr Bigtime, who holds the track record of :19.411 for 400 yards, has been installed at odds of 9-2. He will face six rivals in the Opelousas, most notably Eric P. Johnson's Fast Talkin Henry, who is gunning for his fifth consecutive win for trainer Heath Taylor.

"It is hard to describe what it would mean to pass the million dollar mark," admitted Soileau. "We bred and raised Jls Mr Bigtime and everyone in the family has been involved. From my dad, John, down the line; the entire family has been part of his success."

The Opelousas Stakes will run as the eighth race of the Saturday night card with an estimated post time of 8:35 p.m. (CT).