Mardi Gras Futurity Set

Ten finalists will return to Louisiana Downs Sunday for the Mardi Gras Futurity

Both races were both originally scheduled to be run on March 12 but were postponed when Louisiana Downs was forced to evacuate all horses and people from its stable area due to flooding in the Bossier City area. Both stakes will run as originally drawn.

Miguel A. Aguilar's Rdd Lajollanfastdash was the winner of the sixth trial, crossing the wire in :15.531, the fastest clocking of the afternoon. Richard Dale Domingue of Youngsville, Louisiana, bred his Streakin La Jolla mare La Jollan Queen to Heza Fast Dash, citing the sire as a "proven producer".

Rdd Lajollanfastdash, was the fourth foal of La Jollan Queen, who slab fractured early in her career before becoming a broodmare. Her son faced his own battle as a weanling.

"He got the strangles, then the mare got it and they both ended up at LSU in isolation for three weeks," said Domingue. "We were very fortunate that they both recovered. He was always a very intelligent and attentive young horse."

Trainer Willie Simien will give a leg up to rider Raul Ramirez, Jr and he will guide Rdd Lajollanfastdash from the far outside post.  His primary rivals include second-fastest qualifier, Streakin Pyc trained by Wendy Garcia and Gamepatriotdeluxe, a son of Game Patriot, who is trained by Michael Taylor.  The tenth-fastest qualifier is Chocolatebyelajolla, a Dashin Bye filly owned and bred by Karen Darling Falgoust. She will be the first stakes finalist for young trainer, Donald Watson, Jr., whose father, Donald, is one of the top riders on the Louisiana circuit.

In addition, the $86,190 Mardi Gras Derby will also be run on Sunday afternoon.  The field includes Jess A Saint, who won the richest race in Louisiana, the $1 million LQHBA Breeders Futurity last November at Evangeline Downs. Ramirez will ride the son of Jess Louisiana Blue for trainer Miguel Rodriguez.

"He pulled up fine from the trial," said Rodriguez. "All we hope for is that he gets away well; his trial was an easy race; we didn't push him. We just wanted to qualify."

He shared the top qualifying time with Martin Trejo trainee My Favorite Blue.  David Alvarez will ride the gray colt, who will make his 11th career start. Two offspring of Coronas Leaving You, Corona Together and Heisa Hot Ticket, qualified with times of :20.141 and :20.193, respectively.Noted Louisiana stallion Jet Black Patriot is also well-represented in the Mardi Gras Derby with Jet Black Zoomer, the sixth fastest qualifier; Jetz A Streakin, seventh fastest and Punctuality, who rounds the top ten finalists with a time of :20.403.

LQHBA will also a hold a Wild & Zany Mardi Gras Outfit contest at the track! The contest is open to everyone and patrons are urged to wear their craziest Mardi Gras outfit to enter. Judging will take place immediately following the fourth Race in the Louisiana Downs winner's circle and a $500 gift card will be awarded to the winner.

Currently, Louisiana Downs has scheduled four days of racing starting Sunday, March 20, and continuing through Wednesday, March 23. The final day of the meet will include the $263,000 Harrah's Entertainment Futurity.