Jaccx Sizzle, under jockey Arturo Alvarez, set the fastest time on Day 2 for the restricted Grade 2 $384,440 Mardi Gras Futurity at Louisiana Downs.

© Ann Switalski Photography

BOSSIER CITY, LA–MARCH 9, 2025–Trainer Jose Espinosa added three more qualifiers to the $384,440 restricted Grade 2 Mardi Gras Futurity on Sunday afternoon, saddling the top two qualifiers on both day 1 and day 2 at Louisiana Downs.

The five fastest qualifiers today will join the five fastest from Saturday's trials to return to Louisiana Downs on Saturday, March 29, and vie for a winner's purse valued at $172,998. All trials were contested at 300 yards.

All ten finalists for the 2025 Mardi Gras Futurity hail from the 2024 LQHBA Yearling Sale, which was held last August in Kinder.

Jaccx Sizzle, a $36,000 sale graduate, cruised to a 1-1/4 length win in the fifth trial under jockey Arturo Alvarez to establish day 2's fastest qualifying time of 15.523 seconds, a 96-speed index on a muddy (sealed) racetrack with no wind.

Luziana Man, (#6) gets up over fellow qualifiers Kissin James (#5) in the trial 3. © Ann Switalski Photography

Trainer Espinosa conditions the son of champion Carters Cartel for himself and AGMD Investments, LLC. Kenneth Garcia bred the bay gelding from the Mr Jess Perry mare Ja Jess Sizzlin, a stakes-producing sister to stakes winner JA Jess Perfect.

Espinosa sent Luziana Man in the third trial to post the second fastest clocking of 15.576, a 94-speed index on a muddy (sealed) surface. The son of Dominyun veered out at the start under Alvarez but defeated fellow qualifier Kissin James by a neck.

Owned by Rosalio Espinosa, Luziana Man was bred by Jerry West from the multiple RG2-winning First Down Jewel mare Jewels Fortune. The $13,500 sale graduate is a half-brother to five black type, including winners Louisiana Jewels and Cartels Fortune.

Jessapilottrain and jockey Arutro Alvarez qualifying in the final trial on Sunday. © Ann Switalski Photography

Ridden by jockey Rolando Cabrera, Kissin James held on to get the third-fastest clocking of 15.639, a 92-speed index. Trainer Jorge Rubio owns and trains the $21,000 sales graduate.

Kirt Chaisson bred the son of champion sire Ivory James from the Kiss My Hocks mare Sighed By A Kiss, a half-sister to champion The Fiscal Cliff and Los Alamitos Super Derby(G1) winner Jeriko.

Restless in the gate, Jessapilottrain was all out under jockey Arturo Alvarez to win the closing trial by half-a-length. His time of 15.468 seconds, a 92-speed index on a muddy (sealed) track, popped the bubble to give the colt the fourth fastest time on day 2.

Rational Tlc (inside) held off Luci B (#8) to get the final qualifying spot in the Mardi Gras Futurity trials.
© Ann Switalski Photography

The son of world champion sire Freighttrain B was Espinosa's last of five qualifiers.  Owner Party Tyme Racing paid $24,000 for the colt in the LQHBA Yearling Sale. Bred by Grant Farms, he is out of Miss Jess Lady Pilot, a sister to All American Futurity(G1) winner and multiple stakes sire Mr Piloto.  

Rational Tlc was a head winner in the sixth trial, gaining the final qualifying spot with a time of 15.708, a 90-speed index on a muddy (sealed) surface. Trainer Hall Wade saddled the $16,000 LQHBA Sale grad for owner WH Consulting Services, LLC.

Shawn Sigur bred the daughter of champion sire The Louisiana Cartel from the Good Reason Sa mare Rational Lady, a sister to All American Juvenile winner and champion sire Desirio. The second dam is the Grade 1 winner, Lady Tenaya, by Sixarun.

Today's five qualifiers will join yesterday's five, Mamma Im Leaving You, Ten Plus, Last Eagle V, One Dashing Mind, and Rf Fast Dash N Blood in the March 29 finale at Louisiana Downs.

CLICK HERE for a complete list of Mardi Gras Futurity(RG2) qualifiers from both days of trials, including the times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers, and jockeys.

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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.

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