Rdd Lajollanfastdash Shows Authority in Mardi Gras Futurity Trials
© Lou Hodges Photography
The 10 fastest will return to Louisiana Downs Saturday, March 12 to vie for the $122,874 winner's purse going 300 yards. The 10th place horse will take home a check for $2,730 in the first stakes event for 2-year-olds in 2016. The winning horse will immediately become the top earnings two-year-old in the nation.
A $10,000 LQHBA Summer Yearling graduate, Rdd Lajollanfastdash jumped to quick lead from the break in the 6th race before extending his distance to 3¼ lengths under jockey Raul Ramirez, Jr. The gelding by leading sire Heza Fast Dash posted a :15.531 clocking, a 91-speed index into a 10 mph headwind, to earn the fastest qualifying spot.
Also an LQHBA yearling graduate, Streakin Pyc got the second fastest time after a ¾-length victory in Race 9. Ridden by Juan Garcia, Jr. rode the gelding, by second crop sire Jls Party Wagon. He lugged in from the inside but cleared the field with a :15.875 clocking into a 10 mph headwind.
Jess A Little Star defeated Gamepatriotdeluxe by a head in the 11th trial to get the third fastest time of :15.892 seconds. Adrain Huitron saddled the Jess An Idea filly for owner Juan Bazaldua.
Ridden by Damian Martinez, the gray filly is the first foal out of the stakes winning Mr Eye Opener mare Little Eye Opener ($35,132). The second dam is the G3 winner and multiple stakes producing Mr Jess Perry mare Little Kool Barbie and the third dam is two-champion Kool Kue Baby. J & B Rental, Inc. is the breeder.
Race 11 runner-up Gamepatriotdeluxe held onto the fourth fastest time of :15.905. Ten For Ten, LLC owns the $33,000 LQHBA Yearling graduate by Game Patriot from the G1-placed and G1 producing Corona Cartel mare Corona Deluxe. Michael Taylor trains the half-brother to All American Futurity(G1) runner-up Reagal Eagle and stakes winner Country Boy Deluxe. This is the family of world champion Wave Carver and champion Ocean Runaway.
For a complete list of Mardi Gras Futurity(RG2) finalists, their times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys CLICK HERE.
Louisiana Downs will host three trials on Sunday's card for the $86,190 Mardi Gras Derby. First post is 1:00 p.m. (CDT).