News - Racing March  28, 2024

LQHBA Yearling Grads Top Mardi Gras Schooling Races on Friday


Jockey Jose Rodriguez has a strong on hold on Jrs Natural Runaway while posting the fastest time from 72 two-year-old schooling races on Friday at Louisiana Downs.

© Ann Switalski / Lou Hodges Photography

BOSSIER CITY, LA—FEBRUARY 17, 2017—Eight of the 10 fastest starters, including the top four, in Friday's schooling races for 2-year-olds at Louisiana Downs, are 2016 sale graduates of the LQHBA Yearling Sale.

Seventy-two state-bred juveniles, who remain eligible for the $250,000-Guaranteed Mardi Gras Futurity(RG2), participated in the14 schooling races.

Triple Crown Racing Stables LLC's Jrs Natural Runaway defeated Ms Streakin Game by 1¾ lengths to get the top time of :12.173 seconds for the 220 yards. G. Tristin saddled the son of Sir Runaway Dash out of the Dashs Slinky mare Bjs Cute N Natural.

Ricardo Castineo signed the ticket for $7,200 at last year's LQHBA Yearling Sale in Kinder. Julian Stevens, III consigned the gray colt out of the multiple stakes-placed half-sister to RG2 winner Cute N Shiny. Jose Rodriguez had the riding call.

Sheza Diamond Diva, under jockey E. Sanchez, getting the second fastest schooling clocking of :12.185 seconds in Race 2 at Louisiana Downs.
© Ann Switalski / Lou Hodges Photography
The second fastest time of :12.815 seconds came in Race 4 when Shesa Diamond Diva raced to an impressive 2¼ length win for owner Cruz Nava and trainer J. Sanchez. E. Sanchez was riding the $9,000 LQBA Sale graduate by multiple stakes sire Struttin To Beduino.

Tate Farms, Agent for Paul C. Fontenot, Jr. consigned the gray filly out of Sheza Fortune, an unraced daughter of leading sire Heza Fast Dash. The second dam is the stakes winning and multiple stakes producing Runaway Winner mare Runaway Fortune.

Under jockey E. Rodriguez, Dashing Red Lexus posted the third fastest clocking of :12.330 seconds for owner Jose Pargas. The son of Heza Fast Dash was a half-length winner over American Dinero in Race 9.

Dashing Red Lexus, under jockey E. Rodriguez, setting the third fastest schooling clocking of :12.330 seconds in Race 9 at Louisiana Downs.
© Ann Switalski / Lou Hodges Photography
C. Saldivar conditions Dashing Red Lexus, the first foal out of an unraced daughter of Feature Mr Jess. He brought a final bid of $10,500 in last summer's auction from the consignment of Grant Farms, LLC. The sorrel colt is from the family four-time champion Heartswideopen.

Another Heza Fast Dash 2-year-old, Rf Sheza Fast Duck kicked off the day with a 1¼ length win in Race 1 to get the fourth fastest clocking of :12.383. E. Hernandez trains the filly for Omar Mascorro who purchased the bay from the consignment of Robicheaux Ranch, Inc., Agent for Rogers Farm for $13,000. She is the second foal out of the stakes-placed Fly Jess Fly are Miss Delta Duck. The second dam is stakes winner and multiple stakes producer Lawanda Fay by Tour de Kas. L. Constantin was riding.

For a complete list of results from today, including individual times CLICK HERE.

Trials for the $250,000 Mardi Gras Futurity(RG2), the first official races for 2-year-olds this year, will be conducted Friday, February 25 at Louisiana Downs. The 300-yard final will be contested on Saturday, March 18th.

A program starters for today's schooling races, provided courtesy Jumonville Farms can be found by CLICKING HERE.


Courtesy Ses