News - Racing March  29, 2024

Telarosa Victorious in the $303,777 LQHBA Sale Futurity (RG1) at Fair Grounds Race Course


Telarosa with Lucas Constantin aboard wins the $303,777 LQHBA Sale Futurity at Fair Grounds.

Hodges Photography / Lou Hodges, Jr.

By Martha Claussen

NEW ORLEANS, LA—SEPTEMBER 5, 2015—It was a very satisfying day in the Big Easy for trainer Kenneth Roberts, Sr., who saddled the winner and third-place finisher in the $337,530 LQHBA Sale Futurity(RG1). The championship capped an exciting stakes-filled closing card for the 2015 Quarter Horse meet at Fair Grounds Race Course.

Douglas Traylor's talented filly, Telarosa won her third consecutive start under rider Lucas Constantin in today's final. She was victorious in her trial on August 15 with the second fastest clocking, but turned the tables on fastest qualifier Micmac Warrior this afternoon.

Bred by James Magnon, Telarosa is the daughter of Jet Black Patriot out of the Hennessy (TB) mare Presumptuous. Traylor signed the sale ticket for $30,000 at the 2014 LQHBA Yearling Sale, and today accepted the trophy and a check for $121,510. Her Thoroughbred bloodline was a factor in Robert's interest in the filly.

"We thought that would be a good factor in her getting the distance down the road," said Roberts. "She showed a little of that today. She broke well, but really put it together down the lane."

We All In Racing, LLC's Micmac Warrior broke perfectly under Alfonso Lujan and had the wire in his sights until he was denied by the late charge from Telarosa. Trey Ellis trains the son of Heza Fast Dash out of the Village Hero mare Sneaking N Dashing. Micmac Warrior was bred by Patton Farms and sold for $22,000 at the LQHBA Yearling Sale last summer. His connections earned $52,318 for the runner-up finish.

Telarosa crossed the wire in ;17.424 seconds, earning a 97 speed index. She paid $5.20 as the post time favorite. Roberts second entrant, The Renaissance Man, who was the tenth-fastest qualifier in trials, rallied under rider Patrick Watson for third. Bred by Jerry West, the son of Coronas Leaving You, owned by Chad Hart and Bobby D. Cox, has performed well this year. He finished second in the Laddie Futurity and third in the Lee Berwick Futurity, and earned $32,066 this afternoon.

The remainder of the field included Tellem Shes Game, Jet Black Zoomer, Carry on Game, Zoominforgrady, Shades of Buck, Rl Blue Picture and Miss Mallard Struts.

Constantin was the winning rider in last year's LQHBA Sale Futurity aboard Louisiana Jambalaya.

This was the fifth LQHBA Sale Futurity title for Roberts, who last won it the final in 2012 with Dashin Gage, also owned by Traylor.

"This was a really nice win," added Roberts. "We always liked this filly, but some horses just take longer to mature."

Telarosa and Micmac Warrior are both paid into the $1,000,000 LQHBA Breeders Futurity at Evangeline Downs. Trials are set for November 6.

Thisgameisunreal Is A Game Winner In LQHBA Sale Invitational Stakes

J & L Stables LLC's Thisgameisunreal bested the field in the 350-yard, $33,753 LQHBA Sale Invitational Stakes (R), the consolation for 2-year-olds who competed in the trials for the LQHBA Sale on August 15.

Thisgameisunreral with Saul Ramirez Jr. aboard wins the LQHBA Sale Invitational Stakes at Fair Grounds.
© Hodges Photography / Lou Hodges, Jr.
Bobby Martinez trains the son of Game Patriot out of the Heza Fast Dash mare Unrealistic. Saul Ramirez, Jr. guided the brown colt to victory in :17.464 over Stolin Obsession. In five starts, Thisgameisunreal has a tidy record of 3 wins and one second-place finish.

"He did it so easy," said Martinez. "He won this close to the time of the filly that won the Futurity. Now we're going after the million!"

Thisgameisunreal was bred by Gerald D. Libersat, and was a $30,000 purchase at the 2014 LQHBA Yearling Sale. The win caps a successful Fair Grounds meet for Martinez, whose horses have been in the money 71% this meet. The likeable conditioner had one more comment on the success of his colt today.

"Some trainers change equipment; we just changed vets," added Martinez. "I have to give some of the credit to Doc (Tommy) Hays!"

Stolin Obsession was bumped at the start, but came running to clinch the runner-up spot under David Alvarez. Bred by Darling Farms LLC, he is by Stoli out of the Mr Jess Perry mare Dashing Obsession. Jose Flores owns the gelding, who is trained by Martin Trejo.

Streakin Bye U, a son of Heza Fast Dash, owned by Guerras Racing Stables sent off as the favorite, closed for third with Alfonso Lujan up.

Game on Vince, Mia Gouti, Jumpn So Fast, Ld Jumpn and Dashing and Seemenowcatchmelater completed the order of finish. Special Coors Cartel and Patriotgalabouttown were scratched.


Courtesy Ses