Under jockey Martin Osuna San Lorenzo Firulais cruises to victory in the second richest race in the Fair Grounds Race Course 134 year history, the $550,714 LQHBA Sale Futurity(RG1).

© Hodges Photography / Amanda Hodges Weir

NEW ORLEANS, LA–SEPTEMBER 14, 2024–Fractious in the gate, San Lorenzo Firulais dominated the richest LQHBA Sale Futurity in history on Saturday, winning the $550,714 restricted Grade 1 evening by one length at Fair Grounds Race Course.

Jockey Martin Osuana got his fourth win on the day, second stakes victory, as he guided San Lorenzo Firulais over 350 yards in 17.633 seconds, equaling a 91-speed index. It was the third win in as many starts for the lightly raced son of champion Carters Cartel.

The $11,000 LQHBA Yearling Sale repurchase races for owner Rogelio Marquez, Jr., and is trained by Jeremy Derozin. The team of Marquez, Derozin, and Osuana also won the LQHBA Sale Debutante Stakes on Saturday's card.

"This is such a consistent horse," said Marquez, Jr., who notched his third win in the LQHBA Sale Futurity, with previous victories by San Lorenzeaux and San Lorenzo Moon.

The winning connections of San Lorenzo Firulais accept the LQHBA Sale Futurity stakes trophy at Fair Grounds Race Course. © Hodges Photography / Amanda Hodges Weir

"David Alvarez broke him for us and he did everything right from the beginning. You just have to admire his style of running which is to shoot out of the gate and make sure the others know they have to come catch him! We are so pleased to have won this with Teddy; he is so committed to Louisiana breeding," he concluded.

Teddy Berry bred San Lorenzo Firulais from the Dashs Slinky mare Bjs Cute N Natural. The $247,821 winner's purse boosted the brown colt's earnings to $261,021.

"I am ecstatic about winning the final," said breeder Teddy Berry. "I own the mare and Rogelio and I are friends and go way back to our success with Sir Louisiana Dash. I bred her to Carters Cartel and the morning she foaled, I called Rogelio and told him I had a black colt with four white legs. He was really excited from day one!"

Tell Your San Lorenzo Firulais and jockey Martin Osuana return after winning the richest LQHBA Sale Futurity in history at Fair Grounds Race Course.
© Hodges Photography / Amanda Hodges Weir

San Lorenzo Firulais is paid into the LQHBA Louisiana Million, as is San Lorenzo Princess, who won the LQHBA Sale Debutante (see related story).

"She's a fast filly -beautifully bred," said Marquez, Jr. "She is also paid into the Million, and we are excited to see what she will do in the trials. "This was a very special day for us."

Lester Colomb, Jr. and Raymond Loup's Runnning With Faith finished second to earn $93,621. Kenneth Weeks conditions the You Drive I Fly filly from the Fishers Dash mare Elly Mae. Bred by Jumonville Farms, Runnning With Faith has earned $102,791 in seven starts this year. Ricardo Hernandez, Jr. has the riding assignment.

Fast Lane Train was a neck back in third to earn $55,071. Champion trainer Kenneth Roberts, Sr., named jockey Arnulfo Gutierrez to ride the Freighttrain B gelding for owner Lucky Aces Racing. Wand and Kay Loup, Jr. bred Fast Train Lane from the multiple-stakes winner Pantherinthefastlane by Panther Mountain. Winless in three starts, Fast Lane Train has earned $58,071 in three starts.

Blues Train Too, Five Card Blood, Cartel Gone Wild, Golden Eagle B, Carte Blanch, Coopers Ace Tee, and Jess B Sizzlin completed the field.

Additional reporting by Martha Claussen.