Nine Entered Back in $1-Million Louisiana QHBA Futurity
© Coady Photography
OPELOUSAS, LA—NOVEMBER 15, 2016—A field of nine state-bred juveniles, topped by fastest qualifier and multiple graded stakes winner Rdd Lajollanfastdash, has been entered back in Saturday’s 400-yard Louisiana QHBA Futurity (RG1) at Evangeline Downs.
With a purse of $1-million, the LQHBA Futurity is Louisiana’s richest horse race for any breed.
Rdd Lajollanfastdash is a son of Heza Fast Dash trained by Jose Sanchez for owner Miguel A. Aguilar, who acquired the gelding for $10,000 at last year’s LQHBA Yearling Sale. An earner of $290,677 from seven starts, he has won six races, including the 300-yard, $273,000 Mardi Gras Futurity (RG2) at Louisiana Downs in March, and the 350-yard, $323,000 Louisiana QHBA Yearling Sale (RG1) at Fair Grounds in September.
Rdd Lajollanfastdash drew post 2 and will be ridden by Raul Ramirez Jr. His nine opponents include Louisiana Jewels, a daughter of champion Jess Louisiana Blue racing for Eric Johnson’s Harlow Stables LLC. Trained by Michael Taylor, the filly has won three of five races, including the 330-yard, $298,000 Louisiana Breeders’ Lassie Futurity (RG2) at Delta Downs in May, and she has banked $285,126.
Joe Badilla Jr. has been named to ride Louisiana Jewels, the third-fastest qualifier, from post 3.
Dragon N Panther, a gelded son of Dragon Wings trained by Saul Ramirez Jr. for owner Ricardo Javier Rodrigue Cantu, drew post 7 and will be ridden by J.R. Ramirez. Dragon N Panther is a graded stakes winner, as the gelding scored a half-length victory at odds of 12-1 in the 330-yard, $281,000 LQHBA Laddie Futurity (RG2) on May 21.
The complete lineup, in post position order including jockey assignments--
- Gone Swingin (Damian Martinez)
- Rdd Lajollanfastdash (Raul Ramirez Jr.)
- Louisiana Jewels (Joe Badilla Jr.)
- Tellem Im Pumped (G.R. Carter Jr.)
- Fired Up Perry (David Alvarez)
- Oak Almighty (Eddie Aceves)
- Dragon N Panther (J.R. Ramirez)
- Kajun Kowgirl (Manuel Gutierrez)
- Tf Racee Runaway (John Hamilton)
- First Valiant Hero (G.R. Carter Jr.)
The LQHBA Futurity, and all Evangeline Downs races, can be seen at Q-RacingVideo.com.