News - Racing March  29, 2024

Jess Louisiana Blue Pair Tie for Top Mardi Gras Derby Trial Time


Jess A Saint, under Jockey Raul Rodriguez, Jr., tied for the Mardi Gras Derby top qualifying time after winning the second trial on Sunday.

© Lou Hodges Photography

BOSSIER CITY, LA—FEBRUARY 21, 2016—A pair of Jess Louisiana Blue 3-year-olds scored wins and tied for the top qualifying time on Sunday to the $86,140 Mardi Gras Derby at Louisana Downs.

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.

My Favorite Blue, under jockey David Alvarez, ties for the top time after winning the final trial on Sunday.
© Lou Hodges Photography
Ridden by jockey David Alvarez, My Favorite Blue cleared the field in the final trial then drifted as he held for a half-length win over Coronas Together. The Jess Louisiana Blue colt also stopped the timer at :20.041 seconds into an 8 mph crosswind, to tie for the top time.

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.


Courtesy Ses