Dakota Gurl Leads The Field In The $324,288 Louisiana Downs Futurity (G3) On Sunday

Dakota Gurl has been tabbed as the 5-2 morning line favorite in Sunday's $324,288 Louisiana Downs Futurity (G3).

© Hodges Photography / Ann Switalski

BOSSIER CITY, LA–MARCH 30, 2022–The final championship of the 2022 Louisiana Downs Quarter Horse racing season will be decided on Sunday (Apr 3) when a field of 2-year-olds vie in the $324,288 Louisiana Downs Futurity (G3).

Sunset Well Service Inc.’s homebred Dakota Gurl has been tabbed as the 5-2 morning line favorite. The filly by Muddy Watters out of the FDD Dynasty mare Runaway Charli won her trial in :15.858 seconds and will break from post position four in the 300-yard final.

Dakota Gurl made her debut with a three-quarter length victory in the first of 10 Louisiana Downs Futurity trials on March 13. Bryan Candanosa, who won the biggest race of his career on March 19 at Remington Park, when he guided Tres Crystals to victory in the $440,800 Oklahoma Futurity (G2), will ride the homebred filly for trainer Jorge Valenzuela.

"I worked Dakota Gurl twice at Retama and she had trouble leaving the gate," said Candanosa, "We all believed she was a nice filly, so it was nice to see her win her trial so easily."

Sunset Well Service' Sws Twenty Three winning her Louisiana Downs Futurity trial March 19th.
© Hodges Photography / Ann Switalski

Trainer Dustin Rhodes will saddle two finalists. Sunset Well Services is also the breeder of Sws Twenty Three, who won his trial in :15.957 seconds. This is the second crop sired by Muddy Watters, a son of Corona Cartel and a half-brother to world champion Wave Carver and three-time champion Ocean Runaway. David Alvarez has the call.

"This horse is a monster," stated Rhodes. "He’s always been very professional, and David did not cut him loose in his trial. He’s sitting on a big effort!"

Rhodes other finalist is Lance R. Moore’s Jes An Angel, who will break from the rail under jockey Camilo Castillo. The filly by Jess Zoomin was also a training race winner and was second in her trial with a time of :15.869 seconds. She is bred by AQHA champion breeder Jerry Windham.

"We had to take our time with her as she had a wolf tooth extracted and it took time to heal," said Moore. "She hooked some good company in her trial, but really showed up."

Rhodes is just in his second year as a conditioner. He galloped for horsemen Bubba Cascio and "Sleepy" Gilbreath on the side, as he was an owner of a paint company. With the support of his wife, Charity, Rhodes sold the company and at 40-years-old, began training full time.

"For now, its just me and my wife," added Rhodes. "We had five horses in Houston last year and this meet at Louisiana Downs has been really encouraging for our barn."

AQHA Racing Champion Trump My Record winning the 2019 Harrah's Entertainment Futurity (now the Louisiana Downs Futurity. © Hodges Photography / Ann Switalski

Jose Sanchez, III believes that Beaus First Dynasty, a filly sired by A Revenant, merits consideration. She was a training race winner on February 19 at Louisiana Downs and ran a game third in her trial for this final.

"She didn’t break well in her trial, but came running late," said Sanchez.

Sanchez has fond memories of this futurity as he won the 2019 edition with Trump My Record, then called the Harrah’s Entertainment Futurity. The gelded son of Apollitical Blood went on to win 13 wins from 16 starts, banking $979,068.

"We knew he was a pretty fast horse but had no idea four years ago that he would be that good" acknowledged Sanchez. "He loved to run and was loved by everyone on our team."

The Louisiana Downs Futurity (G3) will run as the sixth race on the card, with an approximate post time of 3:00 pm (Central). Here is the field, in post-position order, including jockey assignments and odds:

1. Jes An Angel (Camilo Castillo), 7-2
2. JMG Apollitical Capo (Jasiel Aquino), 12-1
3. Hes No Average Bear (Luciano Duenez), 12-1
4. Dakota Gurl (Bryan Candanosa), 5-2
5. Feature Five Bar (Eddi Martinez), 6-1
6. SWS Twenty Three (David Alvarez), 5-1
7. Won My Heart (Javier H. Hernandez), 15-1
8. Beaus First Dynasty (Ali Rivera), 12-1
9. Ponte Trucha (Humberto Vital), 20-1
10. Hotamale (Victor M. Urieta Jr.), 6-1

Promotions Set for Sunday, April 3

Louisiana Downs will be running a Swipe 2 Win promotion on Sunday, April 3! Racing fans are invited to swipe their Club 74 card, beginning at noon to win prizes such as free race wagers, discounts, or bonus credits to in the future. There will be live music and beer on the trackside apron. Families attending can stop by the Racing Publications Counter for a free kid’s activity sheet!

Louisiana Downs Quarter Horse Season Wraps on Wednesday

There are just six more days remaining in the 2022 Louisiana Downs Quarter Horse meet. Live racing will be contested Wednesday March 30, Thursday, March 31, Sunday, April 3, Monday, April 4, Tuesday, April 5 and Wednesday, April 6. Post time is 1:00 pm (CT).
 

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About Louisiana Downs
Located near Shreveport in Bossier City, Louisiana, Louisiana Downs opened in 1974 and is now 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.