Mc Blue Cartel, the undefeated 3-5 morning-line favorite and Grade 2 Mardi Gras Futurity winner, returns to Delta Downs Racetrack Casino & Hotel, where the standout filly headlines the LQHBA Lassie Futurity trials.

© Hodges Photography

By Stallionesearch / Louanne Wainscott
 

VINTON, LA–April 24, 2026—One hundred and sixteen Louisiana-bred juvenile fillies will take center stage Thursday night at Delta Downs, as thirteen trial heats at 330 yards will determine the qualifiers for the upcoming LQHBA Lassie Futurity. Each race offers a $10,000 purse and features a deep, competitive group of two-year-olds looking to establish themselves early in their careers.

The spotlight squarely falls on the tenth trial, where Mc Blue Cartel enters as the 3-5 morning line favorite and the most accomplished runner in the field. Undefeated in two starts, the filly captured the G2 $431,000 Mardi Gras Futurity and has already banked $198,330 for owner Jaime Cardenas. Her combination of proven class and top-end speed makes her the clear standard for the night as she looks to secure a spot in the finals.

Sired by Carters Cartel and out of the Jess Louisiana Blue mare Mc Bluecorona, Mc Blue Cartel was bred in Louisiana by Bottoms Up Racing. She is trained by Josue Ponce and will break from post eight under regular rider Jorge J. Garcia, a pairing that has already proven successful on the racetrack.

Earlier on the card, Apollitical Fast looms as a major contender in the second trial heat, where she is listed as the 2-1 morning line favorite. The filly delivered an eye-catching gate-to-wire maiden victory in the Mardi Gras Futurity trials but narrowly missed qualifying on time. With that experience behind her, she enters Thursday’s trial as a strong candidate to improve and post one of the fastest times of the evening.

Owned and bred in Louisiana by Brian L. Gunder, Apollitical Fast is by Apollitical Blood and out of the Heza Fast Dash mare McM Sheza Fast Cutie. Jose Luis Sanchez, III trains the filly, who will break from post seven with Luis L. Vivanco set to guide her.

While much of the attention will be on the top contenders, the trials also showcase the depth of several prominent barns. Trainer Kenneth Roberts, Sr., leads all conditioners with the largest number of entrants spread throughout the card, giving his stable a strong opportunity to qualify multiple runners for the final. Additional trainers with multiple entries include Jose Lopez, Ricardo Romero, Trey Ellis, and Paul Rigdon, each bringing a well-prepared group into the trials.

With many fillies making their career debuts alongside a handful of proven runners, the trials are expected to produce a blend of raw talent and emerging form. The emphasis will be on speed: only the fastest qualifiers will advance, regardless of finish position in each heat. As the gates open Thursday night, every step will matter in the race to earn a place in the finals on May 22, where the next wave of Louisiana-Bred talent will look to secure victory in the RG2 $75,000-added Lassie Futurity.

The races at Delta Downs can be watched on Q-Racing Video.

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