Lee Berwick Futurity Trials Draw 145 Louisiana-Bred Juveniles

BY MICHAEL CUSORTELLI

VINTON, LA—JUNE 14, 2016—Saturday’s Lee Berwick Memorial Futurity (RG1) trials at Delta Downs have drawn 145 Louisiana-bred 2-year-olds.

A total of 15 350-yard heats will be contested. Due to the large number of races, Delta Downs will begin its Saturday card at 3:50 p.m. (CDT).

This year’s Lee Berwick trials are topped by graded stakes winners Rdd Lajollanfastdash and Louisiana Jewels. A gelded son of Heza Fast Dash racing for Miguel Aguilar from the barn of trainer Willie Simien Jr., Rdd Lajollanfastdash will be making his first start since March 20, when he scored a clear 2 1/2-length victory in the 300-yard, $273,000 Mardi Gras Futurity (RG2) at Louisiana Downs.

Rdd Lajollanfastdash will be ridden by Raul Ramirez Jr. from post 7 in the fifth heat.

Louisiana Jewels is coming off of a three-quarter length victory at odds of 18-1 in the 330-yard, $298,000 Louisiana Breeders’ Lassie Futurity (RG2) on May 20. A brown daughter of champion Jess Louisiana Blue and a $42,000 purchase at last year’s Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders’ Association Yearling Sale, the filly is trained by Michael Taylor for owner Eric Johnson’s Harlow Stables LLC.

Louisiana Jewels drew post 3 and will be ridden by Joe Badilla Jr. in the ninth trial.

The 10 fastest qualifiers from Saturday’s Lee Berwick Memorial Futurity trials will race in the $690,295 final on July 9.

All Delta Downs races can be seen at Q-RacingVideo.com.