Rdd Lajollanfastdash Dominates Field in $273,054 Mardi Gras Futurity Final

BOSSIER CITY, LA—MARCH 20, 2016—Jockey Raul Ramirez, Jr. rode back-to-back stakes winners Sunday when he piloted fastest qualifier Rdd Lajollanfastdash to a 2 ½ length win over Gamepatriotdeluxe in the $273,054 Restricted Grade 2 Mardi Gras Futurity(RG2) at Louisiana Downs. San Lorenzo Corona finished a neck back in the show position.

"He's fast, honest and pretty easy to ride," Ramirez Jr. said following the futurity victory. "In two races, he just doesn't make a mistake. I don't even need to ask him; he runs hard from the gate to the wire."

Well in-hand at the end of the race, Rdd Lajollafastdash covered the 250 yards in quick :15.260 seconds to earn a 101-speed index with a 15 mph tailwind (to put that in perspective the derby was run two races earlier in a 94 speed index). The Willie Simien, Jr. trainee kept his record a perfect 2-for-2 after coming into the race with the fastest qualifying time.

Owner Miguel Aguilar purchased the gelded son of leading Louisiana sire Heza Fast Dash for $10,000 at the LQHBA Yearling Sale from his breeder Richard Dale Domingue last August.

"Miguel loved him in the sale and has believed in him from the start, trainer Simien, Jr. said in the winner's circle Sunday. "The horse has turned out to be a natural. He's paid into the Laddie, Lee Berwick and the Breeders Futurity. We think he's good enough to win the million dollar race."

Rdd Lajollanfastdash is the fourth foal of the Streakin La Jolla mare La Jollan Queen, who also produced RDD Fishers Favorite who was sixth in the 2012 Mardi Gras Futurity(G2). It was reported the mare and foal suffered a bad case of strangles when he was on his dam's side and both had to be taken to LSU for treatment.

The second dam, a G2 stakes producing daughter of First Down Dash, is a sister to Grade 1 winner Check Her Twice, stakes winner and stakes sire Dash To Chivato and stakes-placed and multiple stakes sire Fishers Dash.

Rdd Lajollanfastdash has earned $126,475, more than 12 time his purchase price in only two starts.

Still a maiden after two starts, Gamepatriotdeluxe earned $46,420 for his second place finish. A $33,000 LQHBA Yearling Sale graduate, Gamepatriotdeluxe races for owner Ten For Ten LLC and trainer and Michael Taylor.

Joe Badilla, Jr. was aboard the Game Patriot gelding out of Corona Deluxe, by Corona Cartel. Bred by Grant Farms, LLC, the bay is a half-brother to multiple stakes winner Country Boy Deluxe and All American Futurity(G1) runner-up Reagal Eagle.

San Lorenzo Corona, a brother to 2015 AQHA Racing Champion Aged Stallion Open Me A Corona, picked up $27,306 for his third place finish. Trainer Martin Trejo conditions the son of multiple stakes sire Coronas Leaving You for owner Rogelio Marquez, Jr.

Bred by Jim and Natalie Montgomery from the Mr Eye Opener mare, In The Open, San Lorenzo Corona sold for $53,000 in the 2015 LQHBA Yearling Sale under the name Ima Corona Duece.

Gamepatriotdeluxe and San Lorenzo Corona are both from the female family of world champion Wave Carver and champion Ocean Runaway.

Jess A Little Star, Lundi Gras Dash, Banditoe Gold, Chocolatebyelajolla, Shaded Oak Tree and Runaway Jasmine completed the field. Streakin Pyc was scratched.

On Wednesday, Louisana Downs will close out its 2016 Quarter Horse meet with the $263,000 Grade 3 Harrah's Entertainment Futurity.

Additional reporting by Martha Clausen.