News - Racing March  29, 2024

Special Mariposa Rolls To Top Qualifying Mark in Grade 3 Evangeline Downs Futurity Trials


Special Mariposa, under jockey Everardo Rodriguez, setting the fastest qualifying time for the Grade 3 Evangeline Downs Futurity Friday night.

© Coady Photography

OPELOUSAS, LA—NOVEMBER 13, 2020—Special Mariposa, a daughter of champion sire The Louisiana Cartel, rolled to one length win in the opening trial for the Evangeline Downs Futurity(G3 Friday night, then held sway through another 10 races to set the top qualifying mark.

The 10 fastest qualifiers from the 11 trial races will return to Evangeline Downs on Saturday, December 12th to vie for the winner's share of a $317,265 purse.

Ridden by jockey Everardo Rodriguez, Special Mariposa completed the 400 yards in :19.789 seconds, equaling a 92 speed index, to establish the top mark. It was the third win in seven starts this season for the Texas-bred filly.

Trainer Adrian Huitron conditions the $8,000 TQHA Yearling Sale graduate for owners Maribel Hernandez and Martha Nevarez. Second in the Dash For Cash Juvenile at Lone Star Park in her last start, Special Mariposa has earned $27,701 this season. Bob Gaston and Joe Rodriguez bred the bay filly form the Stoli mare Pampered Silk.

Power Prize (#3), under jockey Rolando Cabrera, leads Won Famous Dash (#1) and Bp Fancy Fling (#10) into the Evangeline Downs Futurity(G3) final Friday night.
© Coady Photography
Stakes-placed Power Prize rolled to a three-quarter length win in the 10th trial to get the second fastest clocking of :19.825 seconds, a 91 speed index. The Oklahoma-bred son of champion sire Valiant Hero drifted out slightly under jockey David Alverez. Trainer Jorge Barrera conditions the sorrel gelding for owner Jorge Luis Barrera.

Third in the Gillespie County Fair Futurity in his last start on August 23rd, Power Prize has won three of five starts and earned $25,162 this season. Weetona Stanley bred Power Prize from the Mr Jess Perry mare Ferarri Fast Prize.

Tee Britt, under jockey Jorge Garcia, setting the third fastest time in the Evangeline Downs Futurity(G3) trials Friday night. © Coady Photography
Trainer Cody McDaniel saddled Tee Britt to an impressive 1-¾ length win in the fourth trial to get the third fastest time of :19.887 seconds. Jorge Garcia was riding. Coming off an fourth-place finish in the Grade 2 Dash For Cash Futurity at Lone Star Park in his last start on September 27th, the son of multiple stakes sire Tee Cos races for owners Ground Shakers Racing Team, LLP.

Lynnette Douget bred the bay colt in Louisiana from the Jess Special mare Special Britt. Tee Brit has compiled a (8) 2-2-1 record and banked $42,270 this season. Each of the 11 Evangeline Downs Futurity trials offered a purse of $5,000 with the winner of each trial receiving $3,000.

The Louisiana Cartel booked ended the qualifiers list, also getting the 10th fastest D Cosmic Cartel. Leading sire Favorite Cartel also had two qualifiers, 5th fastest Rumor Goin Round and 6th fastest Fear The Dragon.

For a complete list of qualifiers, times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys for the 2020 Evangeline Downs Futurity(G3) CLICK HERE.

Racing will resume at Evangeline Downs on Saturday night with an eight-race program that will include four trials for the $50,000-added Evangeline Downs Derby. Post time on Saturday will be 5:35 pm Central Time.

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For more information on the American Quarter Horse season at Evangeline Downs, visit the track's website at evdracing.com. Evangeline Downs' Twitter handle is @EVDRacing and the racetrack is also accessible on Facebook at www.facebook.com/EvangelineDownsRacing.

About Evangeline Downs
Evangeline Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel is owned by Boyd Gaming Corporation, a leading diversified owner and operator of 22 gaming entertainment properties located in Nevada, New Jersey, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. Boyd Gaming press releases are available at www.prnewswire.com. Additional news and information can be found at www.boydgaming.com, or evangelinedowns.com.


Courtesy Ses