Jess Louisiana Blue Pair Tie for Top Mardi Gras Derby Trial Time
© Lou Hodges Photography
The 10 fastest sate-bred 3-year-olds from Sunday's three trial races will return to Louisiana Downs on Saturday, March 12 to vie for the $38,785 winner's purse at a distance of 400 yards.
LQHBA Million Breeders Futurity winner Jess A Saint started a mild drive leaving the gate then extended his winning margin to 1˝-lengths at the wire. Ridden by Raul Ramirez, Jr., colt recorded a time of :20.041 seconds into an 8 mph headwind to tie for the fastest mark. He is by leading sire Jess Louisiana Blue.
Trainer Miguel Rodriguez saddled the 3-year-old to his fourth win in nine starts. He entered the trials off a close second to Jet Black Zoomer in the $25,000 Billy Montgomery Stakes on January 16. Bred by J.E. and Bunny Jumonville, Jess A Saint has earned $473,416. The RG1 winner is out of the thoroughbred mare Laughing Saint, by Vindication.
© Lou Hodges Photography
Martin Trejo conditions the multiple stakes finalist for owner Tres Ricardos Ranch. Bred by Jumonville Farms My Favorite Blue entered the trials off a fourth place effort in the Billy Montgomery Stakes on January 16. He was also a finalist in the $1 million LQHBA Breeders' Futurity last November.
The aforementioned Jet Black Zoomer was bumped at the start of the first trial but got up for a half-length win under jockey Antonio Alberto. The Jet Black Patriot gelding stopped the clock at :20.249 seconds to score the 6th qualifying spot.
Kelli Smith trains the 3-year-old for owner Joseph Landreneau. A perfect two-for-two this season, the graded stakes winner was bred by S K T Farms, Inc. from the Shazoom mare Dealazoom. Jet Black Zoomer has earned $90,796.
For the complete list of Mardi Gras Derby finalists, times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys CLICK HERE.