San Lorenzo Blood Dominates The $365,080 Mardi Gras Futurity (RG2) at Louisiana Downs

San Lorenzo Blood, ridden by Rolando Cabrera, wins the $365,080 Mardi Gras Futurity (RG2) at Louisiana Downs on Saturday.

© Ann Switalski Photography

BOSSIER CITY, LA–MARCH 25, 2023–Second fastest qualifier from the trials, San Lorenzo Blood, returns to claim victory in the $365,080 Mardi Gras Futurity (RG2) at Louisiana Downs on Saturday.

With 2-1 odds at post-time, San Lorenzo Blood’s 1 1/2-length victory in the 300-yard finals paid $8.60 to win on a $2.00 wager. Rolando Cabrera rode the daughter of Apollitical Blood to a wire-to-wire victory clocking a 106 speed index in :15.256 seconds.

Trained by Jesus M. Marquez, San Lorenzo Blood won her trial heat and the $164,286 winner’s portion of the Mardi Gras Futurity (RG2) purse upped the juvenile’s bankroll to $167,886 which kept her race record as undefeated.

"She did great today; right on point," said trainer Jesus Marquez, "We are not big on schooling races, but she was training so well, we knew she was ready."

The winning connections of San Lorenzo Blood accept the trophy for the $365,080 Mardi Gras Futurity (RG2) at Louisiana Downs on Saturday.
© Ann Switalski Photography

Owner Rogelio Marquez, Jr. definitely got a return on his investment after purchasing San Lorenzo Blood for $70,000 in last year’s LQHBA Yearling Sale from breeder Slash Z Quarter Horses. 

"She looked really good in the sale; her pedigree was there as well as her conformation, said Marquez.. "Joe Garza broke her for us and everyone on our team has worked well to get her to this point."

Rogelio also owns One Sweet Sugar, who placed fourth in the Mardi Gras Futurity (RG2).

"Louisiana racing has been good for us," added Marquez. "Both fillies will go to Delta Downs and are paid into the Lassie, Lee Berwick and the (LQHBA Louisiana) Million. We are proud to have won each of the Louisiana Futurities once and a few multiple times."

Backed by impressive bloodlines, San Lorenzo Blood is out of the Valiant Hero mare Ms Valiant Perry who is a full sister to champion Sass Me Blue and a half-sister to champion Jess Walking Thru. 

Fastest qualifier in the trials Eyesa Just Pretty was favored to win but San Lorenzo Blood’s determination to succeed just couldn’t be rivaled. Trainer Janessa Lee Muniz saddled the two-year-old filly by Carters Cartel. 

With Eric Reyes at the helm, Eyesa Just Pretty left the gates in second place and stayed there all the way to the wire, for a photo finish over Hijack A Train and jockey Nestor Duran.

The second place finish paid Eyesa Just Pretty $62,064 for the effort, upping her lifetime earnings to $65,664. It was enough to cover the $13,000 price tag paid by her owner Blackmon Quarter Horses, LLC who purchased her from breeders J. Adcock and Montgomery Equine Center in last year’s LQHBA Yearling Sale.

Eyesa Just Pretty’s dam is stakes-placed winner Eye Craft (TB), by Songandaprayer, who is a half-sister to three-time champion Crime Of Passion.

Hijack A Train dueled but just missed second by a nose. The gelding son of Freighttrain B is trained by Josue Ponce has $40,108 in the bank for owner Alan Duran.

Bred by Harold Jeanotte, Hijack A Train sold for $90,000 in the 2022 LQHBA Yearling Sale. The Louisiana-bred is a half-brother to multiple stakes winners and is out of Newport Lily by Stoli.

The remaining order of finish is One Sweet Sugar, Jrs Majestic Pop pop, Hostile Takeover, Apollitical Force, Wild Topshelf Hero, Heylemmecallyouback and Mp Sheza Yes.

Additional reporting by Martha Claussen.

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Since its first running in 1988, the Mardi Gras Futurity launched the career of many of Louisiana’s greatest Quarter Horse champions. Vals Fortune won the 2003 edition of the Mardi Gras Futurity for owner Teddy Abrams, Jr. and trainer Heath Taylor. The striking chestnut went on to win 20 of his 23 starts, becoming the first Louisiana-bred millionaire. Five years later, Jet Black Patriot, bred and owned by Richard and Janelle Simon, stamped his name in the record books, winning the Mardi Gras, Lee Berwick and LQHBA Breeders Futurity, with a runner-up finish in the All American Futurity (G1) at Ruidoso Downs as well.

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About Louisiana Downs
Located near Shreveport in Bossier City, Louisiana, Louisiana Downs opened in 1974 and is owned by Rubico Acquisition Corporation. With annual Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing seasons, the track is committed to presenting the highest quality racing programs paired with its 150,000 square foot entertainment complex offering casino gambling, dining and plasma screen televisions for sports and simulcast racing.