News - Racing March  29, 2024

Jess A Saint Triumphant In $1,000,000 LQHBA Breeders Futurity


Jess A Saint (#10) runs down Jet Black Rogue (#6) in the
$1 Million LQHBA Breeders' Futurity(RG1) Saturday night at Evangeline Downs.


© Coady Photography

OPELOUSAS, LA—NOVEMBER 28, 2015—It was a big night at Evangeline Downs for champion Jess Louisiana Blue. The 18-year-old stallion sired the winners of both the $1 million LQHBA Breeders' Futurity(RG1) and the $40,0000 LQHBA Breeders' Invitational Stakes.

Coming into the race as the 10th fastest qualifier, Joe Rios' Jess A Saint rolled down the outside rail, under jockey Raul Ramirez, to stop fastest qualifier Jet Black Rogue's bid to win the $1 million LQHBA Breeders' Futurity. The brown gelding covered the 400 yards in :19.845 seconds, a 92 speed index into a 3 mph headwind, to win by half-a-length and pocket the winner's purse of $445,000.

"It didn't matter that he was the tenth fastest qualifier in trials," Ramirez said following the big win. "We were happy with our horse; he pulled up sound and was doing well. I want to give my belt buckle to Gilbert "the man" Ortiz."

Trainer Miguel Rodriguez saddled the Jess Louisiana Blue two-year-old to his third career win this season.

The winning connections of Jess A Saint hold up their trophies Saturday night at Evangeline Downs.
© Amanda Glidden Photo
"We knew from his breeding, he would be a late developing runner, Rodriguez said. "We knew after he pulled up from the trial, he would run a good final."

The $7,200 LQHBA Yearling Sale Graduate entered the November 6th LQHBA trials off a fourth place finish in the All American Futurity(G1) trials at Ruidoso Downs last August.

J.E. and Bunny Jumonville Louisiana-bred from the Thoroughbred mare Laughing Saint, by Vindication.

"I'm speechless. We are so blessed," Dutch Jumonville said in the winner's circle following the race. "Jess Louisiana Blue is 18 years-old. I'm very sorry my mom and dad (J.E. and Bunny) could not be here tonight. They are in Seattle, my mom is fighting Lyme disease and undergoing treatment. I know they must be very happy with this win."

Jess A Saint's record stands at (7) 3-2-0 with $464,816 in the bank.

Hoping for a repeat performance from the trials, fastest qualifier Jet Black Rogue led almost the whole race under jockey Joe Badilla, Jr. Michael Taylor owns-and-trains the Jet Black Patriot filly out of Miss Jess Rogue, by Mr Jess Perry.

In-coming Louisiana Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser presents the LQHBA Million Futurity stakes trophy to winning connections of Jess A Saint at Evangeline Downs.
© Coady Photography
Bred by Triple M Farms, LLC, Jet Black Rogue is a two-time futurity qualifier this year while winning or placing in six of seven starts. She used the $220,000 runner-up payday to bring her career mark to $271,230. The filly was a $30,000 LQHBA summer yearling.

Trey Ellis saddled third-place finisher First Corona Down for owner Gene Cox. Ben Benham bred the daughter of Coronas Leaving You from the First Down Jewel mare Bammies Jewel. Rodrigo Vallejo rode the winner of two of six starts and the $110,000 LQHBA Million payoff raised her seasonal mark to $124,580.

The wagering public sent Jess a Saint off at odds of 8-1 at post time and he returned $19.20 to win, $7.60 to place and $6.60 to show. Jet Black Rogue paid $5.60 to place and $4.00 to show, while First Corona Down paid $12.20 to show.

Completing the field were Gone Cartel, Jessa Louisiana Zoom, My Favorite Blue, Toastin With Coronas, Special Coors Cartel, Coronas Mate and Gonzo Compadre.

LQHBA Breeders' Invitational Stakes

The lightly raced Jess Blue Intriguing picked a great time to break his maiden. The son of multiple stakes sire Jess Louisiana Blue rolled to a three-quarter-length victory over Jrs Runaway Ego in the $40,000 LQHBA Breeders' Invitational Stakes at Evangeline Downs Saturday night. Zathuras Fast Dash finished 1˝-lengths back in the show position.

Jess Blue Intriguing, under jockey Luis Vivanco, surges to victory in the LQHBA Juvenile Invitational Stakes Saturday at Evangeline Downs. © Coady Photography
Rodolfo Sanchez saddled the winning gelding for owner Ezequiel Araiza. Luis Vivanco was aboard to pickup the winner's purse of $24,000. Henry Melancon, Sr. bred Jess Blue Intriguing from the Call Me Together mare Call Me Intriguing.

Jrs Runaway Ego races for owner Rosa Arellano Coronado and trainer Michael Taylor. Raul Ramirez, Jr. was aboard the Sir Runaway Dash gelding out of Egos Toast To Dash, by Toast To Dash. Bred by Julien Stevens, III, the gray earned $8,000 for his effort, brining his earnings total to $50,400.

The winning connections of Jess Blue Intriguing accepting the LQHBA Juvenile Invitational Stakes trophy Saturday at Evangeline Downs. © Coady Photography
Also lightly raced, Zathuras Fast Dash is still a maiden in three starts for owner Whoop N Ride Racing, LLC and trainer Bobby Martinez. The daughter of leading sire Heza Fast Dash has a (3) 0-1-1 record and has earned $5,800. Saul Ramirez, Jr. had the riding assignment aboard the filly out of Zathura, by Dashing Bye. C.E. Fontenot is the breeder.

Agoutis Snowplow, Cute Mic Jagger, Oak Tree Streakin, Dashingpastya, Swift 13 and Mda Sheza Festrocket completed the field. Carry On Game was scratched.

Live racing will resume on Wednesday night at Evangeline Downs with a nine-race program. Post time will be 5:35 pm Central Time.

For more information on the American Quarter Horse season at Evangeline Downs, visit the track’s website at evdracing.com.


Courtesy Ses