Franny B Dove, piloted by Leonardo Rodriguez, wins the $100,000 Mardi Gras Oaks on Friday at Louisiana Downs.

© Ann Switalski Photography

BOSSIER CITY, LA–MARCH 28–2025–After winning her trial heat, Franny B Dove returns to the $100,000 Mardi Gras Oaks finals for the win on Friday at Louisiana Downs and remains undefeated for the 2025 season.

Jockey Leonardo Rodriguez got the call aboard Franny B Dove. The duo burst from the gates and took charge at first call. With a convincing 3/4-length victory, the daughter of Stevie B First Cash clocked a 91-speed index in  20.165 seconds while running into a 10 mph headwind. The 400-yard effort paid $9.20 to win on 7-2 odds.

Trainer Larry Keith saddled Franny B Dove for owner Randy Morein, who also bred her in partnership with Phil Guilbeau in Louisiana out of the Jazzing Hi mare Jazzing Micki.

The winning connections of Franny B Dove accept the $100,000 Mardi Gras Oaks trophy at Louisiana Downs on Friday. © Ann Switalski Photography

When asked about preparing for the race, Keith said, “It’s pretty tough. You just have to do what you’ve been doing all year and hope for the best. That’s all you can do. We got a little rain, and she drew the inside, so I think that helped us. It worked out for her today.”

Lightly raced in her juvenile season, Franny B Dove only had one win before starting this year. The $45,000 victory payday boosted her earnings to $72,200 and improved her record to three wins and three seconds from eight starts.

Keith went on to say, “I think her maturity made a difference. She was lightly raced as a two-year-old, and she came back up here to run a really good trial. I just felt pretty good about the finals. She’s a really good gate horse. I thought if she could get away, then we had a shot. She broke well and did everything on this end.”

When asked how he planned to celebrate, he humbly said, “Just moving to Delta Downs.”

Ridden by Rolando Cabrera, Yoda broke first from the gates but drifted out into third before making her way back in for second. The runner-up has a record of 2-1-3 from nine starts with $41,815 in the bank.

The $8,500 LQHBA Yearling Sale graduate is sired by Dominyun and out of the Corona Cartel mare Jedi Cartel. Kirt Chaisson bred the Yoda, and trainer Ernesto Gonzalez conditioned her for owner Bet On The King, LLC.

Fastest qualifier from the trials, Ruse Gold piloted by Arturo Alvarez, was a game third. The daughter of Gold Heart Eagle V has three wins from nine starts with $39,100 in earnings.

Jose Espinosa trains Ruse Gold for owner-breeder Ruse Ranch LLC. She is out of Cosmo Traffic by Cosmograph.

Jess B Sizzlin, Sightseeing Beauty, Tazmaraz, Cinco La Nina, Rf Imperial Choice, Tf Shes Jess Dashin, and San Lorenzo Patrona complete the order of finish.

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