Sweetnspecial Pilot Joins Eyesa Jess Pretty As Top Qualifiers to $365,080 Mardi Gras Futurity-RG2

Sweetnspecial Pilot, under jockey Leonardo Rodriguez, setting the fastest time on Day 2 of the $365,080 Mardi Gras Futurity trials Saturday at Louisiana Downs.

© Ann Switalski Photography

BOSSIER CITY, LA–MARCH 4, 2023– A total of 24 trials for the $365,080 Mardi Gras Futurity (RG2) were contested at Louisiana Downs on Friday, March 3  (see related story) and Saturday, March 4.

It was a terrific showcase for Louisiana-bred juveniles with ten rising stars returning for the final on Saturday, March 25.

Saturday afternoon's weather was sunny with less wind, and the later races of the card produced some very impressive times.

 The top clocking came in the eleventh trial by Sweetnspecial Pilot, a daughter of Mr Piloto trained by Rolando Almanza. Jim and Natalie Montgomery bred the filly, who was purchased at the LQHBA Yearling Sale by Yasmeen Elizando for $15,500. She crossed the wire in :15.622 seconds under rider Leo Rodriguez, aided by a 4 mph tail wind.

"I'll be honest, I was surprised at how well she ran today," said trainer Rolando Almanza. "We knew she had talent, but she broke like she stole something! In the first futurities of the year, you have to do everything right, so her win today was really special."

Roundin Third, under jockey Raul Ramirez, Jr., posted the second fastest time on day 2 in the ninth trial.
© Ann Switalski Photography

Roundin Third, ran a huge race to win the ninth trial in :15.699 seconds, equaling a speed index of 90. The gelded son of world champion sire Stoli, out of the First Prize Perry mare Allizoom, was bred by Jerome Bellard, Dominic Bellard and Scott Lejeune.

Lorena Morales purchased him privately prior to his 220-yard schooling race on February 8 when he set the top clocking of :12.508 seconds. Jockey Raul Ramirez, Jr. guided him to victory in the schooling race and in today's maiden-breaking score. Trainer Fernando Valdez was impressed with the sorrel gelding.

"He was a little nervous, but calmed down better today than he had in his schooling race," said Valdez. "I was hoping for a good break and he got out there perfectly and did his thing. "Chico' told me he could have gone even faster but wanted to save something for the final! We are really happy with the way this horse is improving."

Tjs Dashin Train and jockey Luis Ruiz broke the bubble to get the third fastest time in the closing trial.
© Ann Switalski Photography

It was hard to see Roundin Third in in the winner's circle with the throng of people surrounding him following his trial victory!

"The whole family wanted to see him run," said Valdez with a smile.

Tjs Dashin Train, under jockey Luis Ruiz, posted the third fastest clocking of :15.718 seconds on Day 2 off an impressive 2-1/2 length win in the closing trial. Dwayne Breaux trains the son of Bp Wagon Train for owner Jaime Gardenas.

Bred by William McIntosh the black gelding was a $25,000 purchase by Trey Ellis, Agent in the LQHBA Yearling Sale. Out of the Heza Fast Dash mare Tjs Dashn Train, a sister to multiple stakes-placed Fast Dash N Deb.

Hoztile Takeover (#7), under jockey Ubaldo Luna, sets the fourth fastest time on Day in the 10th trial.
© Ann Switalski Photography

An $11,000 repurchase in the LQHBA Yearling Sale, fourth fastest qualifier on day 2, Hoztile Takeover was sold under the name Jess One For Mc in the sale last August. Jockey Ubaldo Luna rode the son of multiple stakes sire One Sweet Jess to a neck win in the 10th trial in :15.762 seconds.

Guillermo Martinez trains the 2-year-old gelding for owners Mackenzie Kretschmer and Luis Armando Castellanos. Bred by Roland Frederick and Triple Lynn Farms, Hoztile Takeover is out of the Idenity Theft mare Ms Pilot Id, a half--sister to All American Futurity(G1) Mr Piloto and Grade 2 winner Paint My Pilot.

Tayzanito, under jockey Leonardo Rodrituez, getting the final slot on Day 2 in the eighth race.
© Ann Switalski Photography

The first winner and first stakes qualifier for champion first-crop sire Tarzanito, Tayzanito was a half-length winner in the eighth trial to get the final spot on Day 2. Under jockey Leonardo Rodriguez the bay filly clocked :15.769 seconds for owner WH Consulting Services, LLC.

Yoni Martinez trains the filly out of the stakes producing Jess Louisiana Blue mare Mystical Blue.  Bred by Logan Gautreaux, this is the family of two-time champion millionaire Vals Fortune. Tayzanito is a $20,000 LQHBA Yearling Sale graduate.

The ten fastest qualifiers will return on Saturday, March 25 with the winner of the 2023 Mardi Gras Futurity (RG2) to receive a check in the amount of $164,286.

For a complete list of the ten qualifiers, with their times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys CLICK HERE.

Additional reporting by Martha Claussen.

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Trials for the Mardi Gras Oaks and Derby Set for Saturday, March 11

Live racing at Louisiana Downs resumes on Wednesday, March 8. The Bossier City racetrack will host four trials for the $50,000-added Mardi Gras Derby and four trials for the $50,000 Mardi Gras Oaks on Saturday, March 11, beginning at 1:35 pm. The ten top 3-year-old qualifiers from the 400-yard trials will advance to the final on Saturday, March 25.

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About Louisiana Downs
Located near Shreveport in Bossier City, Louisiana, Louisiana Downs opened in 1974 and is 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.