Fastest Qualifier El Camino Cl Wins $315,166 Mardi Gras Futurity (RG2) On Saturday at Harrah's LAD

El Camino Cl (#2) held off Sheza Freighttrain T (#8) to win the $315,166 Mardi Gras Futurity(RG2) Saturday at Harrah's Louisiana Downs.

© Hodges Photography / Ann Switalski

Delfino Lozano, IV's homebred El Camino Cl set the fastest time in 14 trials run on February 22 under jockey Eddie Sanchez. With a schooling race victory preceding his trial win in :15.561 seconds, he quickly became a horse to watch heading into today's final.

Breaking from post position two, the son of Heza Fast Dash out of the Mr Jess Perry mare Eying Miss Perry, dueled with Sheza Freighttrain T, but won by a neck. His final time over the fast track, into a 12mph head win, was :15.498, equaling a 95 speed index into a 12 mph headwind.

"We are very proud," said Lozano, who breeds and raises his horses in Zapata, Texas. "He's always been a special horse. We raised him as a baby, and he did it today! It's a good team I've been working with. They are professionals and I rely on them for everything."

The winning connections of El Camino Cl accept the Mardi Gras Futurity stakes trophy Saturday at Harrah's Louisiana Downs. © Hodges Photography / Ann Switalski

"He came out of his trial very well," he said. "He did everything right today; broke straight and just ran. Delfino has made the payments for the Laddie and Lee Berwick Futurities at Delta Downs."

Sanchez had a choice of mounts in the final as he also qualified Boxcar, a son of by multiple grade 1 sire Freighttrain B, bred by Chad Hart and Bobby D. Cox and was sold at the 2019 LQHBA Yearling Sale for $16,000. He admitted it is always a difficult decision to make.

Nothing is easy, especially with these two kind of horses," he stated. "I'm proud of this horse and thank God, my family and my brother. I'm just the co-pilot; that's it!"

El Camino Cl, sent off as the post time favorite, paid $5.60 to win and became just the second fastest qualifier to win since Rdd Lajollanfastdash in 2016. He earned $141,825 today.

Sheza Freighttrain T ran second under Rolando Pina. The daughter of Freighttrain B was the fifth-fastest qualifier for owner Patrick Richardson and trainer Alfredo Gomez. A $50,000 LQHBA Yearling Sale graduate, the brown filly out of Cloning Around by Carters Cartel was bred by Rusty Trahan. She earned $53,579 for the effort.

Denalia Sweet Jess, under Modesto Pina, ran third for owner Jose Rodriguez and trainer Wendy Garcia. The $9,000 LQHBA Yearling Sale graduate is a son of multiple stakes sire One Sweet Jess from the Chicks Beduino mare Denali Chick. Bred by Russel Mowad, the gray colt earned $31,517.

Boxcar, also trained by Sanchez completed the superfecta. One Sweet Filly, Jessa Louisiana Dash, Lil Jess Rogue, Feeling Right, Sarah's Patrio and Sharks Jess Jumpn completed the order of finish.

Since its first running in 1988, the Mardi Gras Futurity launched the career of many of Louisiana's greatest Quarter Horse champions. Vals Fortune won the 2003 edition of the Mardi Gras Futurity for owner Teddy Abrams, Jr. and trainer Heath Taylor. The striking chestnut went on to win 20 of his 23 starts, becoming the first Louisiana-bred millionaire.

He will be inducted into the LQHBA Hall of Fame in this year's annual induction ceremony slated for Friday, April 3. Five years later, Jet Black Patriot, bred and owned by Richard and Janelle Simon, stamped his name in the record books, winning the Mardi Gras, Lee Berwick and LQHBA Breeders Futurity, with a runner-up finish in the All American Futurity (G1) at Ruidoso Downs as well.

$283,210 Harrah’s Entertainment Futurity (G3) Set for Wednesday

The 2020 Harrah’s Louisiana Downs Quarter Horse meet wraps on Wednesday, March 18. The card will be highlighted by the $283,210 Harrah's Entertainment Futurity (G3).

The final day of racing will also include presentations for the leading owner, trainer and jockey of the meet. CLICK HERE for a list of the top ten qualifiers from trials contested on March 1.

About Harrah's Louisiana Downs
Located near Shreveport in Bossier City, Louisiana, Louisiana Downs opened in 1974 and was purchased by Caesars Entertainment in December 2002. With annual Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing seasons, the track is committed to presenting the highest quality racing programs paired with its 150,000-square foot entertainment complex offering casino gambling, dining and plasma screen televisions for sports and simulcast racing.