Vigilanty, ridden by Jorge J. Garcia, heads into Friday's Lee Berwick Futurity trials at Delta Downs as the 1-1 morning-line favorite.

© Hodges Photography

By Louanne Wainscott, StallioneSearch

VINTON, LA–JUNE 17, 2026–The road to one of Louisiana’s richest juvenile events continues Friday evening at Delta Downs, where ninety-five Louisiana-bred 2-year-olds compete in eleven trial heats for the RG1 $200,000-added Lee Berwick Futurity.

The first race is set for 5:45 p.m., as the young runners cover 350 yards in pursuit of one of ten coveted spots in the July 11 final. With several accomplished stakes performers already emerging from this year’s Louisiana-bred crop, the trials promise to showcase the next generation of stars.

Leading the entrants is Vigilanty, who will compete in the sixth race as the 1-1 morning-line favorite. The talented gelding enters off an impressive victory in the $298,000 Grade 2 Louisiana Bred Laddie Futurity after first qualifying through the trials. In three career starts, he has recorded two wins and one runner-up finish, earning $156,383 for owner Rene Perez, who purchased him for $55,000 at the LQHBA Yearling Sale.

The son of Freighttrain B, out of the Jess Good Candy mare Lethal Candy, was bred in Louisiana by Bobby D. Cox. Trainer Josue Ponce will saddle the standout juvenile from the rail post, with Jorge J. Garcia aboard.

Another major contender is Conair Cartel, the 6-5 morning-line favorite in the second race. The gelding enters the trials in top form after winning the $50,000 Louisiana Bred Laddie Juvenile by a neck. Earlier this season, he finished a game second in the Grade 2 $431,000 Mardi Gras Futurity. With three wins and one second in four starts, he has earned $113,538 for owner Luis Armando Castellanos.

Bred in Louisiana by Mills Partners, LLC, Conair Cartel is a son of Five Bar Cartel, out of the Rakin In The Cash mare Miss Classy Perry. Trainer Santiago Villaseca will send the gelding from post six, with Jorge J. Garcia returning to the saddle as he seeks a third consecutive victory.

As the evening unfolds, Louisiana’s most promising juveniles will have one shot to secure a place in the Lee Berwick Futurity final. With eleven competitive trial heats on tap and only ten spots available, every stride will matter as the state’s rising stars battle for a shot at Futurity glory on July 11.

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

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