News - Racing March  29, 2024

Running A Big Wave Sets Fastest Qualifying Time In $292,610 Harrah’s Futurity (G3) At LAD


Running On A Big Wave (#7), under jockey Eddie Sanchez, leads four other qualifiers into the $292,610 Harrah’s Futurity(G3) final during nine trials contested Saturday at Louisiana Downs.

© Hodges Photography / Ann Switalski

BOSSIER CITY, LA—MARCH 13, 2021—Harrah’s Louisiana Downs presented nine trials this afternoon for the $292,610 Harrah's Futurity (G3). Several key races produced multiple qualifiers for the 2-year-olds who made career debuts at 300 yards.

The fifth trial of the afternoon featured the fastest qualifying time set by Running a Big Wave, owned by Francisco J. Garza, who won in :15.554 seconds over a fast track into an 8 MPH head wind. Eddie Sanchez had the call for his brother aboard the gelding by Big Daddy Cartel out the Wave Carver mare Wave Running.

Bred in Texas by his owner, the sorrel gelding has been one of the barn’s best workers, according to conditioner Jose Sanchez, III.

"When we first got him from Mr. Garza, we liked his conformation and felt he was a well-balanced juvenile," said Sanchez. "He is smart and always showed potential in training. We work our horses in company, usually five at a time, and he breaks sharp and likes to get to the front."

Sanchez trained 2018 Harrah’s Entertainment Futurity champion Trump My Record and looks forward to returning for this year’s final.

Coronadito, under jockey Nest Duran, battles fellow qualifier On Nyx in the seventh trial on Saturday.
© Hodges Photography / Ann Switalski
"The race Running a Big Wave won produced four of the top qualifiers," added Sanchez. "We almost got a second one to the final with Jess Delight (11th fastest); she’s a nice filly."

Additional runners from the fifth race will advance to the final including runner-up J & J Stone Inc’s Lucky Dice (One Sweet Jess) who crossed the wire in :15.584 under David Alvarez; El Gansito (The Louisiana Cartel), who finished third by a head with a :15.672 clocking with Nestor Duran riding for owner Arturo Equivel. My Dynasty Kiss (Kiss My Hocks) ran fourth in :15.688 under Victor Urieta Jr. for owner TYKHE Racing LLC.

Florentino Leon’s homebred Coronadito showed promise in his debut, winning the seventh trial in :15.646 seconds with Nestor Duran in the saddle. Sired by last year's leading third-crop sire Coronado Cartel out of Winners Check by Gol to Go, he posted a solid work at Retama Park on February 21 and a 220 yard work one week later at Louisiana Downs. Adrian Huitron trains the Texas-bred colt.

Trainer Alonso Neri also qualified for the final with runner-up On Nyx, a filly by Kiss My Hocks who finished in :15.674.

Kiss My Hocks was the only sire with two qualifiers, also getting 5th fastest On Nyx. First-crop sire champion Duponte got his first graded stakes finalist when Betterton won the closing trial to post the seventh fastest time of :15.762 seconds.

CLICK HERE for the complete list of today's Harrah’s Futurity top ten qualifiers. They will return for the final on Saturday, April 3 for the trophy and winner’s check in the amount of $131,674.

LQHBA Scholarship Drawings Set for Saturday, March 27

Breeding and racing are certainly top priorities for the Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders Association (LQHBA), but one very important goal of the association is to promote education for Louisiana youth. Since 2001, the LQHBA scholarship program has granted over $650,000 for students attending a higher education institution.

In the continuing tradition of combining recognition of youth on big race days, five (5) students will be awarded $1,000 scholarships on Mardi Gras Futurity and Derby Day, March 27 at Louisiana Downs.

Registration begins at 11:00 am and students MUST BE PRESENT when the drawings take place after the fourth race of the afternoon card. For further information, visit LQHBA.com.

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About 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.


Courtesy Ses