Fastest Qualifier RDD Lajollanfastdash Returns in Mardi Gras Futurity Final
BOSSIER CITY, LA—MARCH 16, 2015—Miguel Aguilar’s RDD Lajollanfastdash drew post 10 for Sunday’s 300-yard, $273,054 Mardi Gras Futurity (RG2) for state-bred juveniles at Louisiana Downs.
A gray son of Heza Fast Dash trained by Willie Simien Jr., RDD Lajollanfastdash made his debut with a 3 1/4-length victory in the sixth of 12 trials on February 20. The gelding, a $10,000 buy at last year’s Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders’ Association Yearling Sale, went 300 yards in :15.531, the fastest trial time.
“We bought some nice horses at the sale, and to be honest I didn’t think RDD Lajollanfastdash would be one of my best runners,” Simien said. “You have to make adjustments with each horse, and some get it quicker than others.
“His first sharp breeze was awesome, and he’s been incredible in every way,” added the trainer. “Honestly, he’s just a natural runner.”
RDD Lajollanfastdash was ridden by Raul Ramirez Jr. in the gelding’s trial, and the rider will be back aboard in the final.
“He does not act like a 2-year-old,” Ramirez said. “His maturity and professionalism is much more like a 4-year-old racehorse.”
© Hodges Photography / Ann Switalski
Gamepatriotdeluxe qualified in the eleventh trial, as the runner-up to Juan J. Bazaldua's Jess A Little Star. Grant Farms LLC bred the son of Game Patriot, who is trained by Michael Taylor for owners Ten For Ten. The $33,000 LQHBA Yearling graduate was clocked in : 15.892, the fourth-fastest time of the day.
The complete lineup, in post position order including jockey assignments--
- Streakin Pyc (Juan F. Garcia Jr.)
- Chocolatebylajolla (Mario Trujillo)
- Runaway Jasmine (Eddi Martinez)
- Banditoe Gold (Randy Edison)
- Shaded Oak Tree (Alfonso Lujan)
- San Lorenzo Corona (David Alvarez)
- Gamepatriotdeluxe (Joe Badilla Jr.)
- Lundi Gras Dash (Antonio Alberto)
- Jess A Little Star (Damian Martinez)
- RDD Lajollanfastdash (Raul Ramirez Jr.).
Mardi Gras Derby
Jet Black Zoomer, a gelded son of Jet Black Patriot racing for Joseph Landreneau, will risk his four-race win streak in Sunday’s 400-yard, $86,190 Mardi Gras Derby (R).
Trained by Kelli Smith, Jet Black Zoomer is coming off of a half-length victory in his Mardi Gras Derby trial on February 21. The gelding’s win streak includes wins in the January 16, 350-yard Billy Montgomery Stakes (R) at Louisiana Downs, and the December 12, 350-yard Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile Stakes (RG2) at Fair Grounds Racecourse in New Orleans.
Jet Black Zoomer drew post 6 and will be ridden by Antonio Alberto.
Raul Ramirez Jr. will ride last year's LQHBA Breeders' Futurity(RG1) winner, co-fastest qualifier Jess A Saint. Trainer Miguel Rodriguez conditions the 3-year-old, bred by J.E. and Bunny Jumonville. Owned by Julio Rios, Jess A Saint is out of the thoroughbred mare Laughing Saint, by Vindication.
"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."
Martin Trejo trains the other co-fastest qualifier, My Favorite Blue, for Tres Ricardos Ranch. Bred by Jumonville Farms, David Alvarez will ride the gray colt, who will make his 11th career start.
Both 3-year-olds are by leading sire Jess Louisiana Blue.
The complete lineup, in post position order including jockey assignments--
- Streakin Bye U (Alfonso Lujan)
- Jetz A Streakin (Antonio Alberto)
- Jess A Saint (Raul Ramirez Jr.)
- Grants Game (Jorge Linares)
- Heisa Hot Ticket (Donald Watson)
- Jet Black Zoomer (Antonio Alberto)
- Punctuality (Camilo Castillo)
- An American Outlaw (Lucas Constantin)
- My Favorite Blue (David Alvarez).
All Louisiana Downs races can be seen at Q-RacingVideo.com.
Additional reporting by Martha Claussen.