Apolitical Queen Dominates Trials For The Big Easy Futurity At Delta Downs

Apolitical Queen, under jockey Juan Garcia, Jr., posting the fastest qualifying time for the inaugural running of the $150,000 Big Easy Futurity at Delta Downs.

© Coady Photography

VINTON, LA–AUGUST 10, 2023–Delta Downs conducted nine qualifying trials on Thursday night for the inaugural running of the $150,000 Big Easy Futurity. The race was a late edition to the stakes schedule for the 15-day Fair Grounds at Delta Downs season, which runs through September 2.

The Big Easy final will be run on the penultimate night of the meet, September 1.

The fastest qualifier for the rich race was recorded by Wilson One Consulting LLC’s Apolitical Queen, who won the ninth trail of the night under jockey Juan Garcia, Jr. The Dwayne Breaux trainee covered 350 yards in a time of :17.759 seconds, which equaled a speed index of 87.

Apolitical Queen has now won two races from five overall starts. She earned $3,000 for her trial run and now has a bankroll of $24,240. Each trial on the program featured a purse of $5,000.

Bred in Louisiana by her owner, Apolitical Queen is a 2-year-old gray filly by leading sire Apollitical Blood, out of the Jess Louisiana Blue mare Dianas Queen Bee.

Hemmingway was a neck winner over Special Royal Zipper in the sixth trial to get the second fastest time of :17.948 seconds. Trainer Porfirio Fierro saddled the New Mexico-bred son of One Fabulous Eagle to his second consecutive win for owner Daniel Rosales.

The $16,000 Heritage Place Fall Mixed Sale graduate broke his maiden July 1 after finishing third in a trial for the Old South Futurity in his career debut last April. Bred by Charles Vicki Vasquez, rom the Walk Thru Fire mare Miss Sadie Thompson, Hemmingway has earned $10,750.  Cesar Segura was riding.

History was made in the trials tonight when leading thoroughbred sire Into Mischief got his first Quarter Horse stakes qualifier.  San Lorenzo Dream, a colt by Into Mischief, from the multiple graded stakes winning and stakes producing Heza Fast Dash mare Dashnunder Afullmoon, finished second to fastest qualifier Apollitical Queen.

On pace for his fourth consecutive record-setting year and fifth as the Champion General Sire, Into Mischief stands for a fee of $250,000. © Courtesy Spendthrift Farms

Racing for owner-breeder Rogelio Marquez, Jr. and trainer Jesus Marquez, the bay colt posted the sixth fastest time of :18.011 seconds. Jasiel Aquino had the riding call. Tonight's on-the-board finish was his first in three starts.

Through a deal between Spendthrift Farms in Lexington Kentucky and Robicheaux Ranch Inc. in Breaux Bridge, Louisiana semen was available to Quarter Horse mares for two seasons to Into Mischief. This is the first crop of Quarter Horse 2-year-olds for the stallion, who stands for a fee of $250,000 in 2023 to thoroughbred mares, from that agreement.  

Into Mischief ended the last four years as North America's leading sire by earnings, a position he holds this year as well. He is first stallion to earn four consecutive leading thoroughbred sire titles since Bold Ruler in 1963-66.

The history making stallion broke his own all-time single-season record earnings of $28,106,800 last year. In 12 thoroughbred crops to race he has sired 859 winners, 254 blacktype, earners of more than $154 million dollars with average earnings per-starter of over $131,200.

Into Mischief has two yearlings consigned to the upcoming Sept. 1-3, Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale and four yearlings in the Sept. 21-23, Heritage Place Yearling Sale in Oklahoma City.

For a list of  the 10 qualifiers for the Big Easy Futurity including times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys CLICK HERE.

Delta Downs will conduct nine more trials on Friday night starting at 6:10 pm. The entire card will featuring qualifying heats for this year’s LQHBA Sale Futurity, which will be the richest race of the season on closing night.

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About Delta Downs
Delta Downs Racetrack Casino and Hotel, a property of Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE:BYD), features exciting casino action, live horse racing and fun dining experiences. Delta Downs is located in Vinton, Louisiana, on Delta Downs Drive. From Lake Charles, take Exit 7 and from Texas, take Exit 4. For more information about the season, visit the track’s website at www.deltadownsracing.com.