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9th Fastest Time: :20.173
Morning Line: 20/1
Lifetime Record: (9) 0-3-4, $15,115

Owner: Dania Castellanos
Breeder: Luis Armando Castellanos (LA)
Trainer: Ray Mayo
Jockey: Arnulfo Gutierrez

Notes:
Blood Aztec is a half-brother to rising star Konnan Cartel. Dania and Luis Castellanos retained retired jockey Ray Mayo to break the gelding. Impressed with his second place finish in his Mardi Gras Futurity trial, Mayo felt the gelding had potential, but needed to overcome his overexcitement.

"I took the blinkers off in his trial for the Million," said Mayo. "It made a difference as he ran a big race. He’s still a maiden, but he’s doing really well."

This marks the first time Mayo will train a horse for the seven-figure futurity. In his riding career, he had mounts in the Lee Berwick Futurity, but had never ridden in a previous edition of the LQHBA Louisiana Million.

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3rd Fastest Time: :20.070
Morning Line: 3/1
Lifetime Record: (7) 4-2-0, $297,794

Owner: Party Tyme Racing
Breeder: Jumonville Farms/ Burnett Ranch(LA)
Trainer: Jose R. Espinosa
Jockey: Sabino Reyes

Notes:
This colt, who runs for the partnership of Jerry Deville and Jose R. Espinosa,
has done little wrong in his 2-year-old campaign. Winner of this first three
consecutive races at Delta Downs, Eyesa Freighttrain B ran second, by a nose, to One Sweet Sugar in the $624,982 Lee Berwick Futurity(RG1) and ran fourth in the Dash For Cash (G2) Futurity at Lone Star Park.

"He has been a dream horse for us," stated Espinosa. "To have such a sound horse, who has earned close to $300,000 already this year is a blessing." Espinosa is also the trainer of B Second Cowboy, who has been installed as the favorite in the $237,940 Evangeline Down Futurity(G3) on Friday, December 15. Sabino Reyes has worked for Espinosa for ten years, breaking the majority of the babies.

"He’s recently licensed, but we are happy to give him the mounts in both finals," added Espinosa. "He knows these horses well."

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8th Fastest Time: :20.169
Morning Line: 15/1
Lifetime Record: (5) 2-1-0, $18,488

Owner: Kirt Blaine Chaisson and C 3 Development
Breeder: Kirt B. Chaisson(LA)
Trainer: Phillip Calais, Jr.
Jockey: Juan Francisco Garcia, Jr.

Notes:
Freightless is a full sister to No Freight, who ran second in the 2019
LQHBA Louisiana Million. She runs in partnership for breeder Chaisson, his
two brothers and his middle son.

"We are so proud of this filly and the hard work of our trainer Phillip Calais, Jr.," he said. "She was the 11th fastest qualifier in the Lassie and didn't break in the LQHBA Sale Futurity (finishing 10th). Finally, she ran her race in the Million trial."

Chaisson is a small breeder and has devoted many hours to Louisiana Quarter Horse racing as the president of the LQHBA.

"We have come a long way and I will be one of many Louisiana owners and breeders celebrating our big race with family and friends," added Chaisson.

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5th fastest Qualifier: :20.097
Morning Line: 20/1
Lifetime Record: (9) 1-5-1, $26,980

Owner: Blackmon Quarter Horses LLC
Breeder: Grant Farms, LLC (LA)
Trainer: Janessa Lee Muniz
Jockey: Edgar U. Mata

Notes:
The filly bred by LQHBA champion breeder Grand Farms LLC, has not missed a check in nine starts this year, beginning with a second-place finish in her trial for the Mardi Gras Futurity at Louisiana Downs in March. She broke her maiden at Evangeline Downs on November 2, and ran second to fastest qualifier Hoztile Takeover in her LQHBA Million trial.

Conditioner Janessa Muniz has won 29 races to date; her best year since she began training in 2017. She also trains Eyesa Just Pretty for Blackmon Quarter Horses LLC, who ran second in both the Mardi Gras and Lassie Futurities this year. Muniz will saddle fastest qualifier Rgs Gold Wagon in the 2023 EVD Derby on Friday, December 15. The son of Prized Wagon won last year’s EVD Futurity(G2).

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6th Fastest Time: :20.091
Morning Line: 12/1
Lifetime Record: (8) 2-2-1, $37,400

Owner: Jose Guzman
Breeder: Thomas Glenn Fontenot (LA)
Trainer: Brenda Foster
Jockey: Rene Hernandez

Notes:
The grey gelding has won two of his eight starts this year, finishing second in his LQHBA Million trial by a head to Eyesa Freighttrain B.

Trainer Brenda Foster won the $1,000,000 LQHBA Breeders Futurity(RG1) in 2014 with Jls Dashn N Zoomn, who is retired and enjoying retirement on her farm. He was owned by Jose Guzman, who purchased Heza Rip for $18,000 at the 2022 LQHBA Yearling Sale. Foster reflected on the victory by Jls Dashn N Zoomn and stated that Heza Rip has a similar "calm and easy going temperament" and came out of his trial with no issues.

"Jls is the king and has given us so much," she said. "I am 73 and it would be wonderful for "Rip" to give us our second million dollar futurity win!"

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Fastest Qualifier: 20.045
Morning Line: 5/2
Lifetime Record: 9 3-2-1, $110,969

Jockey: Ubaldo Luna
Trainer: Guillermo Martinez
Owner: Kretschmer, Mackenzie and Castellanos, Luis Armando
Breeder: Roland Frederick/Triple Lynn Farms

Notable: 
It’s been quite a year for Hoztile Takeover who posted the fastest
qualifying time for the LQHBA Louisiana Million in trials run on November 24.
The gelding by One Sweet Jess ran sixth in the Mardi Gras Futurity (G2); sixth in the Lee Berwick(RG1) and was the runner-up in the LQHBA Sale Futurity(RG1) prior to shipping to Evangeline Downs.

"We are very excited," said assistant trainer Luis Martinez. "He is a healthy horse and other than his tendency to get in, he always runs his race. "He qualified for three futurities already this year and we were confident that he was ready. To set the fastest time was really great!"

A victory in the final would be a first for the connections. Jockey Ubaldo Luna won the 2023 leading rider title at Louisiana Downs as well as Delta Downs (in a tie with Guadalupe Lucio, Jr.). Luna also captured his first Grade 2 stakes with Jess Flying Cowgirl in the 2023 Sam Houston Futurity (G2).

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7th Fastest Time: :20.164
Morning Line: 4/1
Lifetime Record: (7) 4-2-0, $516,788

Owner: Rogelio Marquez, Jr.
Breeder: Rogelio Marquez, Jr. (LA)
Trainer: Jesus M. Marquez
Jockey: Jasiel Aquino

Notes:
The high earner in the field is bred and owned by Rogelio Marquez, Jr. She won the Lassie and Lee Berwick Futurities at Delta Downs, but was not paid into the LQHBA Sale Futurity.

"We were aiming to get one more race in her before the LQHBA Louisiana Million trials," explained Marquez. "There was a stakes for fillies at Lone Star Park that did not go, so she had quite a bit of time off."

Despite the layoff, her time of :20.164 seconds secured her spot in the final and if she prevails on Saturday, she will become the third winner for the family, joining San Lorenzo in 2020 and San Lorenzo Jet, who won last year's edition in a dead heat with Tha Duke.

"We have been blessed to run in this final," he added. "In 2021 San Lorenzeaux ran second to Blood Money. One Sweet Sugar would be our first homebred, which would mean a great deal!"

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10th Fastest Time: : 20.164
Morning Line: 5/1
Lifetime Record: (9) 1-5-0, $26,400

Owner: Bryan Candanosa
Breeder: Robicheaux Ranch / Triple M Ranch (LA)
Trainer: Hector J. Sanchez
Jockey: Juan Francisco Garcia, Jr.

Notes:
This filly by leading sire Heza Fast Dash sold at the LQHBA Yearling Sale for $105,000 and made her debut for trainer Hector Sanchez in a Lassie Futurity trial at Delta Downs. She broke her maiden in an allowance on May 26 and then won her trial to the Lee Berwick Futurity(RG1), finishing fourth in the final.

"Our goal from the beginning was to get her ready for Delta," said Sanchez. "In each start, she showed promise and continues to be a really consistent filly."

This will be the first LQHBA Louisiana Million starter for Sanchez, who is pleased that she will break from the far outside post. He has tabbed jockey Bryan Candanosa to ride.

"Her trial for the Million was one of her best races," added Sanchez. "We are grateful to get in and believe that if she breaks well, it will be tough to catch her."

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6th Fastest Time: :20.149
Morning Line: 15/1
Lifetime Record: (8) 2-1-1, $35,520

Owner: Rodney J. Verret
Breeder: Riley Blanchet (LA)
Trainer: Kenneth L. Roberts, Sr.
Jockey: Arnulfo Gutierrez

Notes:
Owner Rodney J. Verret signed a $20,000 ticket for the filly at the 2022 LQHBA Yearling Sale. She made her first start in trials for the Lassie Futurity followed by a second-place finish in the Louisiana Juvenile Stakes at Delta Downs. Progressing nicely, she comes into the final off back-to-back wins at Evangeline Downs, including a victory in her LQHBA Million trial.

"We took our time with her as she was slow developer," explained Roberts. "Rodney is always patient as an owner; she’s coming around now."

LQHBA champion trainer Roberts has won two previous editions of the LQHBA Louisiana Million Futurity with Ol Time Preacher Man (2013) and You Drive I Fly (2017). He hopes to win the trophy once again, but feels each horse has a chance this year.

"There is very little separating the first to last qualifier," he said. "This one is wide open!"

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2nd Fastest Time: : 20.060
Morning Line: 8/1
Lifetime Record: (8) 2-0-1, 24,895

Owner: Douglas O. Traylor
Breeder: Ken O'Brien(LA)
Trainer: Victor Oviedo
Qualifying Jockey: Jasiel Aquino

Notes:
Owner Doug Traylor, of Katy, Texas, had his eye on several babies at the
2022 LQHBA Yearling Sale, but had no qualms about signing a $40,000 ticket
for The Knockout Power.

"He was my favorite Power Jam and checked all the boxes," admitted Traylor. "In his first few races, he had some bad luck and did not leave the gate well. But in his trial for the Million, he got a clean break and showed his huge closing kick!"

Traylor has known conditioner Victor Ovideo for many years and understood jockey Jasiel Aquino opting for two-time futurity winner One Sweet Sugar. He has retained the riding services of the top Quarter Horse jockey in the nation, Francisco Calderon, who has already surpassed $7.1 million in earnings this year!

"I called Francisco, who won one of the first stakes of his career for me on Bubba Carver," explained Traylor. "He said yes, so we are all very excited about the final."

Louisiana Million notes by Martha Claussen

Martha Claussen has been involved in the racing industry since 1997. She continues to be active in writing, fan education and Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred racing publicity in Texas, Louisiana, Indiana and other regions in North America.

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QH, B, C, FOALED FEBRUARY 4, 2021
FREIGHTTRAIN B - EYEJESSLOVELOUISIANA, BY MR JESS PERRY

Odds: 5-1
2023 Record:  3-3-0-0  $152,156
Seventh Fastest Qualifier:17.752

Notable: The undefeated colt races in partnership for Jose R. Espinosa and Jerry Deville and would
be the first Lee Berwick Futurity champion for both horsemen. "Each year, I train 20-25 babies and felt Eyese Freighttrain B was my best 2-year-old," said Espinosa. "He is very sound and has shown tremendous intelligence in each of his races. There are some nice fillies in the final; our colt may be the heartbreaker."

Multiple-graded stakes winning ride Everardo Rodriguez won the 2021 Lee Berwick Futurity with Blood Money.
 

© Ann Switalski Photography

B, F, FOALED JANUARY 17, 2021
CARTERS CARTEL - EYE CRAFT-TB, BY SONGANDAPRAYER TB

2023 Record:  5-2-3-0  $129,301
Tenth Fastest Qualifier:17.857

Odds: 8-1
Jockey: Sabino Reyes
Trainer: Janessa Lee Muniz
Owner: Blackmon Quarter Horses LLC
Breeder: J Adcock/Montgomery Equine

Notable:  Qualified and ran second in both the Mardi Gras and Lassie Futurity. This will be the first time trainer Janessa Muniz and jockey Sabino Reyes (cousin of her regular rider Eric Reyes)  have a finalist in the Lee Berwick Futurity. 

"She has been professional ever since we arrived at Louisiana Downs in January," said Muniz. "After she qualified for the Mardi Gras Futurity, we knew she was something special. We were biting our nails in the Lee Berwick trials as she ran early and we had to wait till the end to see if her time held up. Drawing the far outside post is new for us; she has always drawn closer to the rail. But she has handled everything well so far!"

Reporting by Martha Claussen

© Ann Switalski Photography

QH, SOR, G, FOALED JANUARY 11, 2021
ONE SWEET JESS - MS PILOT ID, BY IDENTITY THEFT 

Odds: 12-1
2023 Record: 4-2-0-0  $27,854
Seventh Fastest Qualifier:17.785

Jockey: Ubaldo Luna
Trainer: Guillermo Martinez
Owner: Kretschmer, Mackenzie and Castellanos, Luis Armando
Breeder: Roland Frederick/Triple Lynn Farms

Notable: Hoztile Takeover qualified for the Mardi Gras Futurity (G2), running sixth.  Former jockey Ray Mayo broke the gelding, who had some gate issues at Louisiana Downs, but has matured since arriving at Delta Downs for trainer Guillermo Martinez.

"He's grown up and is much better in the gates," said Luna.  "What I like is the way he runs in company; he loves the pressure and digs in when he sees a horse running next to him."

Jockey Ubaldo Luna won the 2023 leading rider title at Louisiana Downs and captured his first grade 2 stakes with Jess Flying Cowgirl in the 2023 Sam Houston Futurity (G2).
 

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B, F, FOALED JANUARY 16, 2021
FREIGHTTRAIN B - MAMMA JAMMA JAMMA, BY APOLLITICAL JESS

Odds: 20-1
2023 Record:  4-2-0-0  $27,854
Eighth Fastest Qualifier:17.785

Odds: 20-1
Jockey: Victor Manuel Urieta, Jr.
Trainer: Joel Huitron
Owner: Fausto G. Mendoza
Breeder: Wiggins Acres Llc

Notable:  Trainer Joel Huitron ran fourth in the 2020 Lee Berwick Futurity with Shortstop Express.  

"Jess Train B is a fast filly and has always left the gate well. She was barely beaten in both trials and has matured nicely. We have her paid into the LQHBA Sale Futurity and LQHBA Louisiana Million."

Jockey Victor Urieta, Jr. has won two editions of the Sam Houston Futurity and won his second Firecracker Futurity last weekend at Delta Downs with Motion of Grace.
 

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QH, SOR, F, FOALED FEBRUARY 8, 2021
MR PILOTO - ADORED BIGTIME, BY BIGTIME FAVORITE

Odds: 8-1
2023 Record:  5-1-2-2-0  $47,900
Third Fastest Qualifier:17.542

Notable: "I am happy with her progress," said trainer Gilberto Gonzalez. "She was a very high strung
filly in the beginning of  the year. We worked with her and she has calmed down. Running second to (fastest qualifier) Lorenzo Blood proved that she is a nice filly. She might have been ignored before, but they are talking about her now."

Ali Rivera defended his leading rider title at Sam Houston Race Park. This will be his second mount in the Lee Berwick Futurity; last year he finished fourth aboard Tf One Sweet Wokatee.
 

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QH, SOR, G, FOALED JANUARY 7, 2021
MR PILOTO - JESS A SPECIAL STAR, BY FEATURE MR JESS

Odds: 20-1
2023 Record:  2-0-1-0  $2,000
Ninth  Fastest Qualifier:17.849

Jockey: Leonardo Rodriguez
Trainer: Paul Leal
Owner: BM AQ Racing LLC
Breeder: Grant Farms LLC

Notable: This is the first year that Paul Leal has gone out on his own as a trainer after serving as an assistant to John Buchanan and Trey Wood.  "After his schooling race at Retama Park, we felt he needed more time," said Leal. "He was paid into the Laddie Futurity, but we held off. He ran a little green in his debut but improved in his trial for the Lee Berwick. He's a good gate horse and Leonardo (younger brother to Everardo Rodriguez) is a talented rider."
 

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SOR, F, FOALED FEBRUARY 19, 2021
ONE SWEET JESS - SUGARSHAKER B, BY HEZA FAST DASH 

Odds: 4-1
2023 Record:  5-3-1-0  $202,392
Fastest Qualifier:17.524

Jockey: Jasiel Aquino
Trainer: Jesus M. Marquez
Owner: Rogelio Marquez, Jr.
Breeder: Rogelio Marquez Jr

Notable:  The Lassie Futurity winner is bred and owned by Rogelio Marquez, Jr., who is having a banner year in the Quarter Horse industry. The resident of Rosenberg, TX is the 2023 leading Quarter Horse
owner in the nation with 20 wins and earnings of $1.1 million. This will be the third time that owner Rogelio Marquez. Jr. has two entrants in the Lee Berwick final. He won the Lee Berwick for the first time in
2017 with Dashnunder Afullmoon; 2020 with San Lorenzo and last year with San Lorenzo Jet.

"Louisiana racing has been good for us," said the owner and breeder. "We look forward to running both fillies in the Lee Berwick and they are both paid into the (LQHBA Louisiana) Million. We are proud to have won  each of the Louisiana Futurities once and a few multiple times."
 

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QH, SOR, F, FOALED JANUARY 7, 2021
HEZA FAST DASH - MISS JESS ROGUE, BY MR JESS PERRY

Odds: 12-1
2023 Record:  3-2-0-0  $23,900
Fourth  Fastest Qualifier:17.718

Jockey: Juan Francisco Garcia, Jr.
Trainer: Hector J. Sanchez
Owner: Archie T. McKinnon
Breeder: Robicheaux Ranch/Triple M

Notable: Sold at the LQHBA Yearling Sale for $105,000, the connections were not in a hurry to run her early this year. Jockey Francisco Garcia, Jr. spoke of her temperament stating that she was a hot tempered filly and was fractious in the gate in her early races. "She has improved with experience and stood well in the gate in her Lee Berwick trial. Weather played a big role that night, but she brought her "A" game and we are hoping for a good start in the final."
 

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BR, F, FOALED JANUARY 25, 2021
APOLLITICAL BLOOD - MS VALIANT PERRY, BY VALIANT HERO

Odds: 9-5
2023 Record:  5-4-0-0  $202,795
Second Fastest Qualifier :17.541

Jockey: David A. Alvarez
Trainer: Jesus M. Marquez
Owner: Rogelio Marquez, Jr.
Breeder: Slash Z Quarter Horses

Notable: Her only loss this year was in the Lassie Futurity, when she stumbled, but regrouped and still ran fourth. She's a tiny filly, but tries hard. David gallops all of our horses, but has always liked San Lorenzo Blood," said trainer Jesus Marquez.

San Lorenzo Blood was a $70,000 LQHBA Yearling Sale purchase and rewarded her connections by winning the first official futurity of the year. This will be the third time that owner Rogelio Marquez. Jr. has two entrants in the Lee Berwick final. He won the Lee Berwick for the first time in 2017 with Dashnunder Afullmoon; 2020 with San Lorenzo and last year with San Lorenzo Jet.

David Alvarez has won the 2018 Lee Berwick with Eyesa Jess Jumpn and the 2020 on San Lorenzo and 2022 aboard San Lorenzo Jet.