Quick To Flirt Fastest Qualifier In Rich Mardi Gras Futurity Trials
© Hodges Photography
The 10 fastest qualifiers, from the 14 trial races, will return to Louisiana Downs on St. Patrick's Day (March 17) to compete for a record purse of $310,466. The winners will walk away with nearly $140,000 and the last place horse will earn $3,104.
Racing for Triple C Racing Stables, LLC, Quick To Flirt defeated 10th qualifier Ms Pilot Tee by one-length in the fourth trial to set the fastest clocking of :15.587 seconds, a 90-speed index over a muddy "sealed" racetrack with a 20-mph crosswind.
© Hodges Photography
Quick To Flirt took advantage of an earlier announcement Saturday by Louisiana Downs that beginning today Quarter Horse purses would increase by $1,000 per race. Today's trial races purse totals were increased to $7,000 and Quick To Flirt pocketed $4,500 for his first career win.
Lanny Keith saddled the Tate Farms-bred 2-year-old out of Tf Lil Black Oak by Oak Tree Special. The brown filly was clocked in :15.662 seconds to get the second fastest time.
In Race 9 Tdz Louisiana Toast got up late to win by a neck and post the third fastest time of :15.690 seconds. Jockey Luis Vivanco rode the $12,000 LQHBA summer sale graduate for owner Juan Martinez and trainer Miguel Rodriguez. Tony Doughtie bred the Jess Louisiana Blue gelding from the Toast To Dash mare Shes A Royal Toast.
© Hodges Photography
© Hodges Photography
Sir Runaway Dash was the only sire getting multiple qualifiers with two. He also sired 9th fastest qualifier Guidry Pride II. Jockey Noe Castaneda booted home three qualifiers.
Seven of the 10 finalists are graduates of the 2017 LQHBA Yearling Sale.
For the complete list of Mardi Gras Futurity(RG2) qualifiers, times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys CLICK HERE.
About Harrah's Louisiana Downs
Located near Shreveport in Bossier City, Louisiana, Louisiana Downs opened in 1974 and was purchased by Caesars Entertainment in December, 2002. 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.