Whoopie Cowgirl, fastest qualifier to the Grade 2 Louisiana Downs Open Futurity, winning her trial at Louisiana Downs on March 6.

© Ann Switalski Photography

By Stallionesearch / Louanne Wainscott

BOSSIER CITY, LA–March 26, 2026—The stakes action continues Saturday afternoon at Louisiana Downs with an eight-race card beginning at 1:35 PM, highlighted by the Grade 2 $313,008 Louisiana Downs Open Futurity and the Grade 2 $431,400 Mardi Gras Futurity. With elite juveniles emerging from competitive trial heats, the afternoon promises a powerful display of rising talent on the Louisiana circuit.

The sixth race, scheduled for approximately 3:40 PM, features the G2 $313,008 Louisiana Downs Open Futurity at 300 yards, where ten of the fastest qualifiers from the March 6th trials will square off. Feenix enters as the 3-1 morning line favorite after a determined half-length victory in her trial, earning the fifth-fastest qualifying time of the day. The filly showcased grit and acceleration from the outside post, finishing strongly and positioning herself as a major contender in the final.

Bred in Texas by Debbie Eller, Feenix is by Ivory James and out of Zoomin N Celebrating by Azoom. Owned by Jesus Salazar, who purchased her for $53,000 at the TQHA Yearling Sale, she will break from post six under Eddie Sanchez for trainer Jose Luis Sanchez, III.

While Feenix holds favoritism on the morning line, Whoopie Cowgirl looms as a serious threat at 4-1 odds and may very well be the one to beat. The filly made an early statement this season by posting the fastest time in training races at Retama Park on February 4th. She backed up that performance in emphatic fashion during the trials at Louisiana Downs, drawing off to a one-length victory to secure the fastest qualifying time. Her combination of early speed and finishing power makes her a standout contender in a competitive field.

Whoopie Cowgirl was bred in Texas by Mark E. Rigby, DVM and is sired by Flying Cowboy 123 out of Tacarosie by Tac It Like a Man. Racing for owner Denis I. Moran, who purchased her for $35,000 at the TQHA Yearling Sale, she will leave from post two with Jorge J. Garcia aboard for trainer Ramiro Barajas Villarreal.

With ten talented juveniles lining up, the Louisiana Downs Open Futurity offers a glimpse into the future of the sport, as these young runners look to establish themselves among the top two-year-olds in the region.

The afternoon will culminate in the eighth race at approximately 4:30 PM with the G2 $431,400 Mardi Gras Futurity, featuring the ten fastest Louisiana-bred juveniles from the March 8th trials. Mc Blue Cartel headlines the field as the 9-5 morning line favorite following a dominant three-length victory in her trial, the fastest qualifying performance of the group. The filly has consistently shown top-end speed and enters the final in peak form.

Bred in Louisiana by Bottoms Up Racing, Mc Blue Cartel is by Carters Cartel and out of Mc Bluecorona by Jess Louisiana Blue. Owned by Jaime Cardenas and trained by Josue Ponce, she will break from post nine with Jorge J. Garcia aboard, who looks poised for a strong afternoon in the saddle.

Among her top challengers is Awesome Eagle V, a homebred for Oscar Edel Moreno, who enters at 3-1 odds after capturing his trial by a half-length to earn the second-fastest qualifying time. The gelding has steadily progressed and appears primed to deliver another strong performance on the big stage.

Awesome Eagle V is sired by Gold Heart Eagle V and out of Oh Shez Awesome by First Prize Jordan. Conditioned by Jose U. Lopez, he will break from post eight with Leonardo Rodriguez set to ride.

As the curtain falls on Saturday’s card, ten Louisiana-bred juveniles will sprint 300 yards in pursuit of stakes glory in the Mardi Gras Futurity. With proven trial performers and emerging stars ready to collide, Louisiana Downs is set to deliver another thrilling afternoon of racing filled with speed, talent, and high-stakes excitement.

The races at Louisiana Downs can be watched on Q-Racing Video.

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