$6,500 LQHBA Yearling Sale Graduate Earns $172,196 With Mardi Gras Futurity Victory

Mrs Kennedy Tlc, under jockey Arturo Alvarez, winning the restricted Grade 3 $382,658 Mardi Gras Futurity Sunday afternoon at Louisiana Downs.

© Hodges Photography / Ann Switalski

BOSSIER CITY, LA—MARCH 27, 2022—Mrs Kennedy Tlc extended her record to 2-for-2 on Sunday when she defeated Jrs Tonyas Majestic by three-quarters in the $382,658 restricted Grade 2 Mardi Gras Futurity at Louisiana Downs.

Under jockey Alvin Alvarez the daughter of champion sire The Louisiana Cartel completed the 300 yards in :15.595 seconds, earning a 92 speed index into a 6 mph headwind. The $172,196 winner's purse boosted Mrs Kennedy Tlc's earnings total to $174,596.

"The win in her futurity trial was very difficult," Álvarez said through an interpreter. "Today, she ran much better and a lot faster."

Commenting on his first career futurity victory Alvarez added  "Winning this was the best thing that ever happened to me!"

The winning connections of Mrs Kennedy Tlc accept the Mardi Gras Futurity stakes trophy Sunday afternoon at Louisiana Downs. © Hodges Photography / Ann Switalski

Trainer Barbara Ball saddled the $6,500 LQHBA Yearling Sale graduate for owner Edwardo Lopez.

"She had some hoof issues early in her training, but is sound and very talented," said Lopez. "I owned Ed O, who did very well in Louisiana two years ago. Hoping for the same success with Mrs Kennedy TLC."

Jorge Haddad bred the bay filly from the G3-placed Louisiana Senator mare Time For The Senator. Mrs Kennedy Tlc is from the family of world champion Apollitical Jess and three-time champion Apollitical Time.

The Louisiana Cartel has sired earners of more than $8.4 million including champion 3-year-old colt Ec Jet One.

Mrs Kennedy Tlc entered today's futurity after posting the second fastest time in her career debut during the second day of Mardi Gras Futurity trials on March 6^th.

Runner-up Jrs Tonyas Majestic earned $65,052 for his second-place effort. Duke Shults trains the son of multiple stakes sire Majestic Cartel for owner Long Leaf Racing. Jeff Fulton and Julien Stevens III bred the brown colt from the Mr Jess Perry mare Tonyas Statement.

"I didn't ride him in trials, but Everardo talked to me about him," said jockey Raul Ramirez, Jr. "Jerry Deville called me to ride, and with these 2-year-olds, you never know. The colt warmed up well and ran a game second."

Her sire Majestic Cartel is an unraced brother to champion Five Bar Cartel and has sired more than $700,000 in earnings from limited starters. The dam Tonyas Statement is a sister to stakes winner See Me Runaway and is the dam of RG3-placed Coronas Statement.

Trainer Barbara Bell also saddled third-place finisher Louisiana Freight for owner Isidro Martinez. The $18,000 LQHBA Yearling Sale graduate moved into the final from the also-eligible list after five horses did not run back in Sunday's final due to supposed bad tests. Louisiana Freight closed fast to finish a head off runner-up Jrs Tonyas Majestic while earning $38,266 for the effort.

Bred by Jumonville Farms and Riley Blanchett the daughter of world champion sire Freighttrain B is the first foal from the Tempting Dash mare The Louisiana Dash, a half-sister to Grade 1-placed Dutcher and Grade 1-placed Eye On Corona.

Louisiana Freight won his March 5^th trial debut and has earned $41,866 in two starts. Jockey Heriberto Aguilar-Orozco was back aboard today.

Completing the field were Jess Sea Louisiana, Jeg Fascination, Toast To Blue, Onemorewildtrain, Ttt Ivan Power, Rh Querido Ruperto and Little Bill Daggett.

Additional reporting by Martha Claussen. 

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About Louisiana Downs
Located near Shreveport in Bossier City, Louisiana, Louisiana Downs opened in 1974 and is now owned by Rubico Acquisition Corporation. 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.