News - Racing March  28, 2024

Zoominseperately Hits Top Mark On Day 1 Of $324,288 Mardi Gras Futurity Trials at Louisiana Downs


Zoominseperately, under jockey Victor Urieta, Jr., sets day 1 fastest qualifying time for the Mardi Gras Futurity(RG2) at Louisiana Downs Saturday.

© Hodges Photography / Ann Switalski

BOSSIER CITY, LA—MARCH 5, 2022—Zoominseperately, under jockey Victor Urieta, Jr., raced to one-length win in his career debut Saturday while setting the fastest time on day 1 of the $324,288. Mardi Gras Futurity trials at Louisiana Downs.

With a total of 199 state-bred juveniles entered, for the first time in history the Mardi Gras Futurity trials was forced to split into two days with 11 races carded today and 11 races tomorrow (March 6) for the restricted Grade 2 300 yard event.

The five fastest qualifiers from each day will advance to the Sunday, March 27th final and vie for a $145,929 winner's payday.

Mp Dont Look, under jockey David Alvarez, was the most impressive trial winner on Saturday with a three-length effort in Race 3. © Hodges Photography / Ann Switalski
Conditioned by Alonso Neri and owned by Maria Garza, Zoominseperately stopped the clock in :15.426 seconds, equaling a 98 speed index into a 15 mph headwind, establishing the fastest time in the third trial.

"I was not surprised that he ran this well, "said Neri. "He has shown his talent since the first time we worked him in Selma. We have so much faith in Victor Urieta, Jr. He has always done well with our young horses."

Zoominseperately is a son of champion sire Zoomin For Bux from the Separatist mare Ms Proverbial, a half-sister to Grade 3 winner Dash Thru My Heart. Bred by Teddy Berry, the sorrel colt's second dam is the Grade 1-placed Special Effort mare Sis Special Heart and the third dam is the World Championship Classic (G1) winner Too Tidy Sis.

Ja Zooms, under jockey Everardo Rodriguez, winning Mardi Gras trial #5 on Saturday at Louisiana Downs.
© Hodges Photography / Ann Switalski
Mp Dont Look, an $18,000 LQHBA Yearling Sale Graduate, romped to a three-length win in the second trial today to set the second fastest qualifying time. Under jockey David Alvarez, Mp Dont Look back broke his maiden in first career start while stopping the timer in :15.567 seconds, equaling a 93 speed index into a 15 mph headwind.

Rosendo Valdez purchased the son of All American Futurity(G1) winner and multiple stakes sire Mr Piloto for $18,000 from the Grant Farms LLC consignment at the LQHBA Yearling Sale last August.

His son Rosendo Valdez, Jr. conditions the sorrel colt out of the RG3 winning First To Shine mare McM Dont Look Back. She is the dam of TQHA Sires' Cup Derby winner Ebrima. The third dam is the stakes winning What Luck (TB) mare Distinctively.

"We never needed to run him in a schooling race," said Valdez. "Joe Garza broke him and told me that he was going to be a futurity horse! We worked him in company on our farm and he worked so well, I knew Mr. Garza was right. He impressed us immediately."

Zee Runaway Train, under jockey David Alvarez, finished second to fastest qualifier Zoominseperately, getting the third fastest clocking of :15.604 seconds, a 92 speed index, for owner CMRT Racing Partners.

Also trained by Valdez, Jr., the son of world champion sire Freighttrain B is the first foal from the multiple stakes winning Dominyun mare Zenergetic. The sorrel colt, bred by Zenergetic Group was a $28,000 repurchase at the LQHBA Yearling Sale.

Jrs Tonyas Majestic finished 1-¼ lengths back in the same trial to get the fourth fastest time of :15.795 seconds, an 85 speed index. Trainer Duke Shults named jockey Everardo Rodriguez to ride the son of multiple stakes sire Majestic Cartel, a brother to champion Five Bar Cartel.

Long Leaf Racing owns the brown colt bred by Jeff Fulton and Julien Stevens III. Jrs Tonyas Majestic is out of the stakes producing Mr Jess Perry mare Tonyas Statement, dam of RG3-placed Coronas Statement.

Ja Zooms, a $9,000 LQHBA Yearling graduate that sold under the name Z Doc, won the fifth trial by half-a-length to get the final starting spot on day 1. Under jockey Everardo Rodriguez the son of multiple stakes sire First Prize Doc completed the 300 yards in :15.803 seconds, an 85 speed index with a 15 mph headwind.

Trainer Francisco Campos, Jr. saddled the brown colt for owner Areli Gutierrez. DSK, Ltd. bred Ja Zooms from the Azoom mare Zavona, a half-sister to APHA World Champion Texas Wildcat. This is the family APHA Champions Ivoriona, Verona and Bull, as well as Grade 1 Quarter winners Okey Dokey Dale and Fast Debonair.

Trail #10 was ruled "No Contest" after the gate malfunctioned on Saturday.

For a list of day-1's five finalist, with times sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockey CLICK HERE.

The final five qualifiers will be posted on StallioneSearch.com tomorrow (March 6) as soon as the become available.

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About Louisiana Downs
Located near Shreveport in Bossier City, Louisiana, Louisiana Downs opened in 1974 and is now owned by Rubico Acquisition Corporation. 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.


Courtesy Ses