News - Racing March  29, 2024

LQHBA Yearling Graduate Eyesa Just Pretty Gets Top Mark on Day 1 of $365,080 Mardi Gras Futurity-RG2


Eyesa Just Pretty and jockey Eric Reyes dominated Day 1 of the $365,080 Mardi Gras Futurity trials on Friday at Louisiana Downs.

© Ann Switalski Photography

BOSSIER CITY, LA–MARCH 3, 2023–Eyesa Just Pretty broke in at the start under jockey Eric Reyes then zoomed to a dominating 1-3/4 length win and the fastest qualifying time on the first of two days of trials for the $365,080 Mardi Gras Futurity, the first state-bred juvenile futurity in 2023 at Louisiana Downs.

The five fastest qualifiers, from 12 races contested today, will join the five fastest from another 12 trials on Saturday in rich final the Saturday March 25 final.  The winner will be vying for a winner's purse valued at $164,286.

Eyesa Just Pretty, a daughter of champion Carters Cartel, completed the 300 yard course in :15.447 seconds, equaling a 99 speed index into a 16 mph crosswind. Trainer Janessa Muniz conditions the $13,000 LQHBA Yearling Sale graduate for owner Blackmon Quarter Horses LLC.  

"We set up our barn here at Louisiana Downs right after Christmas and she has been here since January 3,” said Muniz. "She is a very calm and well-behaved filly, who has done everything right, from her first gate work to running straight as an arrow in her schooling race win. She  has been eating well and we have had no setbacks."

San Lorenzo Blood, under jockey Rolando Cabrera, posted the second fastest time in the third trial.
© Ann Switalski Photography

Eyesa Jess Pretty broke from the far outside in her February 8 schooling race, but Muniz was not worried when she drew the rail for her trial.

“All I felt she needed was a clean start,” added Muniz. “She got that and did the rest easily.”

Bred by J. Adcock and Montgomery Equine, Eyesa Just Pretty is the first foal from the stakes-placed Sonandaprayer thoroughbred mare Eye Craft. This the family of thoroughbred Horse Of The Year Holy Bull.

In the next trial (Race 3), San Lorenzo Blood run away from the completion under jockey Rolando Cabrera. The $70,000 LQHBA Yearling Sale graduate cruised to a 1-3/4 length win while clocking the second fastest time of :15.611, a 93 speed index into a 16 mph crosswind.

Jrs Majestic Pop Pop, under jockey Eleazar Hernandez, posting the third fastest time. © Ann Switalski Photography

Jesus Marquez conditions the son of leading sire Apollitical Blood for owner Rogelio Marquez, Jr. Slash Z Quarter Horses bred the brown filly from the Valiant Hero mare Ms Valiant Perry, a sister to champion Sass Me Blue and stakes winner Jess Being Valiant. The second dam is Grade 1 winner and AQHA Dam of Distinction Jess Sass Me by Mr Jess Perry.

"I loved the cross with Valiant Hero and really liked the way he looked at the sale," said Rogelio Marquez, who signed the $70,000 ticket at the LQHBA Yearling Sale. "He's done everything right in his training and we felt he would be one of our top horses in the Mardi Gras trials. He ran an impressive race and we look forward to facing some very nice runners in the final."

Roberto Morales' Jrs Majestic Pop Pop surged under jockey Eleazar Hernandez to win the eighth trial and post the third fastest time of :15.652, a 92 speed index into a 16 mph crosswind.

Santiago Villaseca trains the $11,500 LQHBA Yearling graduate by multiple stakes sire Majestic Cartel. Bred by Julien R Stevens III, from the Oak Tree Special mare Pop A Top Special Pi, Jrs Majestic Pop Pop is from the family of AQHA Racing Distance Champion B And G Fast Dash.

Corona Only, under jockey Raul Ramiez, Jr., posting the fourth fastest time. © Ann Switalski Photography

Corona Only, a half-brother to RG2 winner The Game Cartel, won the ninth trial by half-a-length to get the fourth fastest time of :15.658, also a 92 speed index into a 16 mph crosswind. Trainer Fernando Valdez named jockey Raul Ramirez, Jr. to ride the $25,500 LQHBA Sale graduate for owner Rosendo Valdez.

Robicheaux Ranch Inc. bred the Open Me A Corona gelding from the graded stakes producing Corona Cartel mare Angels Cartel. The third dam is AQHA Racing Champion Heavenly.

Mp Sheza Yes (#7) with jockey Claudio Aguilar busted the bubble in the final trial to get the fifth fastest time.
© Ann Switalski Photography

Mp Sheza Yes busted the bubble in the final trial (race 12), under jockey Claudio Aguilar, to post the fifth fastest time of :15.677, a 91 speed index with a 13 mph crosswind.

Lance Moore paid $10,000 for the daughter of All American Futurity(G1) winner Mr Piloto at the LQHBA Yearling Sale. Brian Stroud saddled the filly out of the unplaced Heza Fast Dash mare Sheza Yes. Jon and Donna McPherson are the breeder.

Each trial today was contested for $6,000 with the winner taking home $3,600.

For a list of Day 1 Mardi Gras Futurity(RG2) finalists with times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys CLICK HERE.
 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Tomorrow (March 4) the final 12 trials will contested at Louisiana Downs First post is set for :12.35 p.m. (CST).
 


Courtesy Ses