Mc Blue Cartel powers to a commanding three-length victory under jockey Jorge Javier Garcia to post the fastest qualifying time in the first night of Mardi Gras Futurity (RG2) trials Saturday at Louisiana Downs.

© Ann Switalski Photography

By Emily Paulk, StallioneSearch

BOSSIER CITY, LA—MARCH 7, 2026—The first night of trials for the Mardi Gras Futurity (RG2) was held Saturday afternoon at Louisiana Downs, with Louisiana-bred juveniles competing for the first five qualifying positions to the $426,552 final scheduled for March 28.

Leading the qualifiers was Mc Blue Cartel, who delivered a standout performance in the eighth trial, posting the fastest time of the day with a sharp :15.192 clocking for 300 yards.

The filly broke sharply and never looked back, scoring a wire-to-wire victory by 3-lengths while earning a 106 speed index in her career debut.

Owned by Jaime Cardenas, trained by Josue Ponce and ridden by Jorge Javier Garcia, Mc Blue Cartel was bred in Louisiana by Bottoms Up Racing and is a $10,000 repurchase from the LQHBA Yearling Sale.

She is by Champion Carters Cartel, sire of more than 450 winners with progeny earnings exceeding $16.8 million, led by Grade 1 winner San Lorenzeaux ($617,360).

Mc Blue Cartel is the first foal out of the Jess Louisiana Blue mare MC Bluecorona. Her second dam is a full sister to stakes winner Spit Curl Daisy ($63,720) and a half-sister to Mexico stakes winner Dakota Prize ($37,302). The filly’s fourth dam is AQHA Dam of Distinction and Broodmare of the Year Final Prize Dash ($77,465), producer of Grade 1 winners First Prize Leesa ($488,385), First Carolina ($415,047), First Prize Robin ($295,147), and Fast First Prize ($244,929). The female line traces back to Champion Dark NME ($1,739,485).

Awesome Eagle V recorded the second-fastest qualifying time after winning the seventh trial in wire-to-wire fashion, stopping the clock in :15.317 and earning a 102 speed index.

The colt, a $32,000 repurchase from the LQHBA Yearling Sale, is a homebred for owner-breeder Oscar Edel Moreno. He is trained by Jose U. Lopez and ridden by Leonardo Rodriguez.

Awesome Eagle V is by Gold Heart Eagle V, winner of the All American Derby (G1) and a young sire whose progeny have already earned more than $2.6 million. He is out of Oh Shez Awesome, a half-sister to Grade 1 winner One Cool Corona ($234,629). His second dam is a full sister to graded stakes winners Zupers Quick Dash ($471,129) and MCM Dashmaster ($425,487), both former track-record setters.

KJ Meduzza secured the third-fastest qualifying time after finishing second to Awesome Eagle V in the seventh trial, posting a :15.382 clocking and a 99 speed index.

The colt is owned by J.A. Racing LLC, trained by Ramiro Aboytes-Suarez and ridden by Manuel Gutierrez. Bred by Ruse Ranch LLC, KJ Meduzza is a $20,000 repurchase from the LQHBA Yearling Sale.

He is by leading sire KJ Mucho Macho Man, whose first three crops have produced more than $2.4 million in earnings. The colt is out of graded stakes placed runner Meduzza ($44,850). His second dam, La Jolla Suspect ($89,073), was also graded stakes placed and is a half-sister to Champion El Duero ($380,505).

Click HERE for the top five qualifiers. Coverage of the second day of trials will follow tomorrow.

The $426,552 Mardi Gras Futurity (RG2) final will be contested at Louisiana Downs on March 28.

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