On April 6, 2024, at Evangeline Downs, Kupuna, a dark bay or brown gelding, etched his name into the annals of horse racing by clinching the $100,000 Evangeline Mile Stakes (Black Type) with a commanding performance. Under the guidance of jockey Mitchell Murrill and training from Bret Calhoun, Kupuna showcased a masterclass in racing strategy, securing a 5 1/2-length victory and earning a career-best Equibase Speed Figure of 111.
This win marked a significant milestone in his career, recording his first stakes victory and pushing his earnings to over $385,000 from 17 career starts.
Kupuna’s journey to this moment began long before his win at Evangeline. Foaled on April 20, 2019, he is a progeny of Hard Spun and Hanalei Hailey, by Malibu Moon, bred by Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings LLC & Greg Biagi.
His pedigree hinted at a blend of speed and stamina, a promise that began to unfold with his entry into the racing world.
The saga of Kupuna’s ascent in the racing world began when he was purchased as a yearling at the Keeneland September Sale for $140,000. Clark Shepherd of Shepherd Equine Advisers, acting as an agent, secured the promising yearling on behalf of Larry Hirsch (Highlander Training Center) and Wayne Sanders, setting the stage for his development into a competitive racehorse.
This strategic acquisition underscored the belief in his potential to excel on the racetrack.
Kupuna’s racing career kicked off with modest beginnings, displaying early promise at Churchill Downs in 2021 and achieving his maiden victory at Oaklawn Park on January 15, 2022. Despite facing challenges, including a seventh-place finish resulting in a chipped knee in the Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby (Gr. 2), his performances remained consistently strong.
He has shown his talent across various tracks, from Ellis Park to Churchill Downs, competing in both allowance and stakes races with notable success.
In 2023 and 2024, Kupuna’s performance improved significantly, highlighted by his major win at the Evangeline Mile. This victory was not only about his racing skills but also the careful planning and hard work of his team.
Owned by Wayne Sanders and Highlander Training Center, Kupuna’s rise from a carefully chosen OPTIMAL Mating yearling to a stakes race winner shows the importance of strategic decision-making in horse racing.
Kupuna’s career reflects more than just race outcomes; it’s about fulfilling his potential through the joint efforts of his owners, trainers, and agents. As he moves forward, Kupuna’s success is a clear example of effective strategy and the compelling nature of horse racing.
