Jess A Saint Triumphant In $1,000,000 LQHBA Breeders Futurity
$1 Million LQHBA Breeders' Futurity(RG1) Saturday night at Evangeline Downs.
© Coady Photography
Coming into the race as the 10th fastest qualifier, Joe Rios' Jess A Saint rolled down the outside rail, under jockey Raul Ramirez, to stop fastest qualifier Jet Black Rogue's bid to win the $1 million LQHBA Breeders' Futurity. The brown gelding covered the 400 yards in :19.845 seconds, a 92 speed index into a 3 mph headwind, to win by half-a-length and pocket the winner's purse of $445,000.
"It didn't matter that he was the tenth fastest qualifier in trials," Ramirez said following the big win. "We were happy with our horse; he pulled up sound and was doing well. I want to give my belt buckle to Gilbert "the man" Ortiz."
Trainer Miguel Rodriguez saddled the Jess Louisiana Blue two-year-old to his third career win this season.
© Amanda Glidden Photo
The $7,200 LQHBA Yearling Sale Graduate entered the November 6th LQHBA trials off a fourth place finish in the All American Futurity(G1) trials at Ruidoso Downs last August.
J.E. and Bunny Jumonville Louisiana-bred from the Thoroughbred mare Laughing Saint, by Vindication.
"I'm speechless. We are so blessed," Dutch Jumonville said in the winner's circle following the race. "Jess Louisiana Blue is 18 years-old. I'm very sorry my mom and dad (J.E. and Bunny) could not be here tonight. They are in Seattle, my mom is fighting Lyme disease and undergoing treatment. I know they must be very happy with this win."
Jess A Saint's record stands at (7) 3-2-0 with $464,816 in the bank.
Hoping for a repeat performance from the trials, fastest qualifier Jet Black Rogue led almost the whole race under jockey Joe Badilla, Jr. Michael Taylor owns-and-trains the Jet Black Patriot filly out of Miss Jess Rogue, by Mr Jess Perry.
© Coady Photography
Trey Ellis saddled third-place finisher First Corona Down for owner Gene Cox. Ben Benham bred the daughter of Coronas Leaving You from the First Down Jewel mare Bammies Jewel. Rodrigo Vallejo rode the winner of two of six starts and the $110,000 LQHBA Million payoff raised her seasonal mark to $124,580.
The wagering public sent Jess a Saint off at odds of 8-1 at post time and he returned $19.20 to win, $7.60 to place and $6.60 to show. Jet Black Rogue paid $5.60 to place and $4.00 to show, while First Corona Down paid $12.20 to show.
Completing the field were Gone Cartel, Jessa Louisiana Zoom, My Favorite Blue, Toastin With Coronas, Special Coors Cartel, Coronas Mate and Gonzo Compadre.
LQHBA Breeders' Invitational Stakes
The lightly raced Jess Blue Intriguing picked a great time to break his maiden. The son of multiple stakes sire Jess Louisiana Blue rolled to a three-quarter-length victory over Jrs Runaway Ego in the $40,000 LQHBA Breeders' Invitational Stakes at Evangeline Downs Saturday night. Zathuras Fast Dash finished 1˝-lengths back in the show position.
Jrs Runaway Ego races for owner Rosa Arellano Coronado and trainer Michael Taylor. Raul Ramirez, Jr. was aboard the Sir Runaway Dash gelding out of Egos Toast To Dash, by Toast To Dash. Bred by Julien Stevens, III, the gray earned $8,000 for his effort, brining his earnings total to $50,400.
Agoutis Snowplow, Cute Mic Jagger, Oak Tree Streakin, Dashingpastya, Swift 13 and Mda Sheza Festrocket completed the field. Carry On Game was scratched.
Live racing will resume on Wednesday night at Evangeline Downs with a nine-race program. Post time will be 5:35 pm Central Time.
For more information on the American Quarter Horse season at Evangeline Downs, visit the track’s website at evdracing.com.