BOSSIER CITY, LA –MARCH 21, 2023–There will be something for everyone this Saturday at Louisiana Downs with the running of the $365,080 Mardi Gras Futurity (RG2), the $339,046 Louisiana Downs Futurity and $6,000 in Scholarships for three Louisiana students, courtesy of Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders Association (LQHBA) and Louisiana Downs. Post time for Saturday's program  will be 1:35 pm (Central).

Fastest Qualifier Eyesa Just Pretty Returns in the $365,080 Mardi Gras Futurity (RG2)

A total of 24 trials for the $365,080 Mardi Gras Futurity (RG2) were contested at Louisiana Downs on Friday, March 3 and Saturday, March 4. It was a terrific showcase for Louisiana-bred juveniles with ten rising stars returning for the 330-yard final on Saturday afternoon.

The second trial on Friday, March 3 produced the top qualifier when Eyesa Just Pretty, a $13,000 LQHBA Sale graduate, drew off to a   victory under rider Eric Reyes. Her time of :15.447 seconds, over the fast main track, held through the 12 race card. She earned a 99 speed index.

The daughter of champion Carters Cartel out of the Songandaprayer (TB) mare Eye Craft was bred by Bred by J. Adcock and Montgomery Equine and is owned by  Blackmon Quarter Horses LLC. Trainer Janessa Muniz gave high praise to the bay filly for her progress this year.

"We set up our barn here at Louisiana Downs right after Christmas and she has been here since January 3," said Muniz. "She is a very calm and well-behaved filly, who has done everything right, from her first gate work to running straight as an arrow in her schooling race win."

Winning the Mardi Gras Futurity would be a dream come true for the 37-year-old Texas horsewoman, who grew up with horses and learned a lot from her father, Jorge Muniz. Her biggest win so far was a victory in the 2022 Evangeline Derby (G3) by Rgs Gold Wagon.

"I'm more nervous than excited," stated Muniz when asked about saddling Eyesa Just Pretty on Saturday. "But I have a nice, solid team and we are off to a great start this year. I have faith in Eric, who started as a groom, then exercise rider. He knows our horses and works hard. And our filly has handled everything so well this far; all we can ask for now is a good start."  

The second fastest qualifier on the first day of trials was Rogelio Marquez, Jr.'s San Lorenzo Blood, who won her trial in :15.611 seconds, for a speed index of 93. Bred by Slash Z Quarter Horses, the filly was sired by Apollitical Blood from the Valiant Hero mare Ms Valiant Perry. Trained by Jesus Marquez, Rolando Cabrera will have the return call, breaking from post seven.

"I was a little nervous before her trial," said Rogelio Marquez, who signed the $70,000 ticket at the LQHBA Yearling Sale. "She had been working well at Sam Houston and Delta, but you never know how they will handle the pressure of their first start in a full field. She impressed us!"

The resident of Rosenburg, Texas, will have a second entrant in the field, his homebred, One Sweet Sugar. The filly by One Sweet Jess finished second to Hoztile Takeover on Day two of the trials. Jasiel Aquino has the mount, who is 15-1 on the morning line.

"We are happy that she got in," Marquez said. "She had never run in a schooling race, but worked in company with San Lorenzo Blood and showed her potential in the morning."

The Mardi Gras Futurity will run as race seven, with an approximate post time of 4:09 pm. Here is the field, from the rail, with riders and odds:

1. Wild Topshelf Hero (Arnulfo Gutierrez), 15-1
2. Eyesa Just Pretty (Eric Reyes), 5-2
3. Apollitical Force (Arturo Alvarez), 12-1
4. Jrs Majestic Pop Pop (Eleazar Hernandez), 4-1
5. Hijack a Train (Nestor Duran), 8-1
6. Mp Sheza Yes (Claudio Aguilar), 10-1
7. San Lorenzo Blood (Rolando Cabrera), 7-2
8. Heylemmecallyouback (Ali Rivera), 12-1
9. One Sweet Sugar (Jasiel Aquino), 15-1
10. Hoztile Takeover (Ubaldo Luna), 6-1

Since its first running in 1988, the Mardi Gras Futurity launched the career of many of Louisiana's greatest Quarter Horse champions. Vals Fortune won the 2003 edition of the Mardi Gras Futurity for owner Teddy Abrams, Jr. and trainer Heath Taylor. The striking chestnut went on to win 20 of his 23 starts, becoming the first Louisiana-bred millionaire.

Five years later, Jet Black Patriot, bred and owned by Richard and Janelle Simon, stamped his name in the record books, winning the Mardi Gras, Lee Berwick and LQHBA Breeders Futurity, with a runner-up finish in the All American Futurity (G1) at Ruidoso Downs as well.

Chendo Installed as the Favorite in the $339,046 Louisiana Downs Open Futurity (G3)

Ten trials for the $339,046 Louisiana Downs Futurity (G3), at the distance of 300 yards, took place on Thursday, March 2.  Chendo, owned by Carlos Gabriel Castro, posted the top qualifying time and stamped himself one to watch in the final.

The son of Rc Me Leaving You out of the Stoli mare Ms Otoole won his schooling race here on February 8 with the fastest clocking of the day (220-yards in :12.375 seconds) and moved forward in his racing debut, covering 300 yards in :15.715, into a 15 mph headwind to earn a 90 speed index. Trainer Santiago Villaseca will give a leg up to jockey Eleazar Hernandez on the 5-2 morning line favorite.

"Santiago and I attended the TQHA Yearling Sale and we both liked Chendo when he walked into the ring," said  Castro. "We were fortunate to get him for just $5,550 and watching him win his schooling race and get the fastest qualifying time was pretty exciting for us!"

Chendo broke from post five in his trial and drew the eight hole for the final.

"We were hoping for the middle or outside, so we are happy with our gate," added Castro. "He came out of his trial in great shape and we are looking forward to the final; we have lots of family and friends who are excited to see Chendo run!"

Second fastest qualifier Hock Tree Special won the ninth trial in :15.790 under Louisiana Downs leading rider Ubaldo Luna. The son of AQHA Racing Champion and multiple stakes sire Kiss My Hocks was a private purchase by  owner Jessica Mendez. He drew post position three for conditioner Daniel Luna (no relation to Ubaldo) at odds of 7-2.

Trainer Juan Diaz, Jr. qualified two for the final: third fastest Hardtotempt and Dollar Bill, whose time of :15.924 secured the final qualifying spot. Hardtotempt, owned by Louis Trey Malechek, III, won the eighth trial in :15.834 seconds. The filly by Tempting Dash, bred by her owner, will reunite with rider Victor Urieta, Jr.  Navil Tovar's Dollar Bill , sired by Kiss My Hocks, won the sixth trial in front-running fashion under Urieta, but will be ridden by Jose Herbert in the final. 

Ann Albin's Whirlaway Party will also run in the final after a solid victory in the seventh trial, in which she pulled away under Juan Garcia, Jr, in :15.846. The filly by Whirlaway Red is a full sister to (multiple stakes winner Whirlaway Wagon) and trained by Justin Powell.

Here is the field for the Louisiana Futurity, which will run as race five, from the rail, with jockeys and odds:

1. Kas Delivers Gl (Luis Vivanco), 20-1
2. Dollar Bill (Jose Herbert), 9-2
3. Hock Tree Special (Ubaldo Luna), 7-2
4. Woopaa 123 (Cipriano Vidana), 10-1
5. Hardtotempt (Victor Urieta, Jr.), 8-1
6. Cartel Jess Pyw (Ali Rivera), 20-1
7. San Lorenzita (Rolando Cabrera), 15-1
8. Chendo (Eleazar Hernandez), 5-2
9. Stabby Joe (Carlos Aguilar), 15-1
10. Whirlaway Party (Juan Garcia, Jr.), 5-1 

Family Fun, Food Trucks and Simulcast of Kentucky Derby Prep Races on Saturday

Racing fans will not only have excellent live racing Saturday at Louisiana Downs, but quality  simulcast action throughout the day. In addition to the finals of both the Mardi Gras and Louisiana Downs Futurities, horseplayers can watch and wager on several of the key prep races for the 2023 Kentucky Derby, including the $1 million Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby (G2) and $400,00 Fair Ground Oaks from Fair Grounds.  

Families are always welcome at Louisiana Downs with the popular Kids Zone and a variety of Food Trucks on the trackside apron, beginning at 11:30 am. (CDT).

Mardi Gras Handicapping Seminar Begins at Noon on Saturday, March 25

Louisiana Downs track announcer John McGary and regional racing publicist Martha Claussen will team up for a Mardi Gras handicapping seminar on Saturday, March 25 at noon. The free event will be held in the Longshot Lounge, (formerly the Inside Rail) located on the first floor of the grandstand. McGary and Claussen will offer their selections for each of the races on the Saturday card and in-depth analysis of the Louisiana Downs Futurity, Mardi Gras Futurity and a look ahead to the Mardi Gras Oaks and Mardi Gras Derby on April 1.

LQHBA Scholarship Drawings Set for Saturday

Breeding and racing are certainly top priorities for the Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders Association (LQHBA), but one very important goal of the association is to promote education for Louisiana youth.  Since 2001, the LQHBA scholarship program has granted over $800,000 for students attending a higher education institution. Three students will win Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders Association (LQHBA) Scholarships. For the second year in row, Louisiana Downs will generously contribute $3,000 to match the three LQHBA Scholarships.

Three drawings of $2,000, a total of $6,000 will be offered to Louisiana students wishing to further their education.  Scholarship entrants must be a Louisiana High School graduate or a Louisiana High School student graduating in 2023 planning to attend a higher education institution. Louisiana residents enrolled in a Louisiana College or University are also eligible. Students can sign up at the LQHBA Scholarship Registration Table (located on the first floor), beginning at 11:00 am. Registration will close after the third race of the afternoon program and LQHBA board members, Louisiana Downs officials and special guests will conduct the drawings live in the winner's circle after race four. Students must be present to win. For more information on the LQHBA Scholarship Program and eligibility requirements, visit LQHBA.com.

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.