Thrilling Edition of the $1,000,000 LQHBA Louisiana Million Futurity (RG1) Ends in Dead Heat

San Lorenzo Jet, ridden by J Ramirez and Tha Duke, piloted by Arturo Alvarez, win the $1,000,000 LQHBA Million Futurity (RG1) in a dead heat at Evangeline Downs on Saturday night.

© Coady Photography

DECEMBER 17, 2022 – OPELOUSAS, LA – San Lorenzo Jet and Tha Duke each ran too well to lose in the $1,000,000 LQHBA Louisiana Million Futurity (RG1), resulting in a dead heat in the feature race of the Saturday night card at Evangeline.

Tha Duke and San Lorenzo Jet dueled down to the wire in the 400-yard race with a final time of 19.645 and a 94 speed index. Each received $332,500 for their winning efforts.

Post time favorite Tha Duke ($2.60) was the second fastest qualifier from 14 trails contested on November 25.

Ashton Elder trains and co-owns Tha Duke with Miguel Romero, Jr. “Pinch me- is this real?” said Elder after the race. “This has been a passion of ours for a long time. We started with a small breeding program, which was fun. Then Tha Duke happened and it became real and fun! We are going to let this sink in; make sure he’s happy and healthy and go from there.”

Arturo Alvarez aboard Tha Duke come back to the winner’s circle after his dead-heat victory with San Lorenzo Jet in the $1,000,000 LQHBA Million Futurity (RG1) at Evangeline Downs on Saturday night.
© Coady Photography

They also bred the Rc Me Leaving You gelding out of Precious Perry Girl, by Jess Louisiana Blue.

The last of seven stakes for Louisiana-breds gave jockey Alturo Alvarez his fourth stakes win of the night aboard Tha Duke. 21-year-old Alvarez won four of the seven stakes on the card. “I am so excited; this has been a dream of mine my whole life!”

Tha Duke is five for seven this year and has earned $382,870. Outside of his native Louisiana, he won his trial for the Dash for Cash Futurity (G2) at Lone Star and finished fifth in the final.

San Lorenzo Jet ($2.80) was the second betting choice in the race and was the fourth fastest qualifier from November 25.

The talented gelding has only suffered one loss in his career when he finished second in the Louisiana Million Futurity trial behind Masseto. Saturday’s Futurity was his third stakes win, following the Laddie Futurity (RG2) in May and the Lee Berwick (RG1) in July. He has earned $887,910.

J.R. Ramirez was in the irons on Saturday for trainer Jesus Marquez and owner Rogelio Marquez, Jr.

The winning connections of San Lorenzo Jet accept the $1,000,000 LQHBA Million Futurity (RG1) trophy after winning in a dead heat at Evangeline Downs on Saturday night.
© Coady Photography

Marquez gave credit to Ramirez and his effort during the race. “That was a horse race! In these finals, you have to be perfect and today two horses ran a perfect race! We are grateful to J.R..; he’s a heck of a rider with experience in so many big championships. He got everything out of San Lorenzo Jet; a dead-heat is certainly better than running second!”

“I thank Rogelio for the call,” Ramirez responded. “This horse has been great all year and I felt bad that I spoiled his streak by running second in the trial. It was so close - I really thought Arturo had it and congratulated him when we were pulling up. It was quite a nice experience!”

Tim and Jennie Rogers of Rogers Farm bred the Jet Black Patriot gelding out of the stakes placed mare Miss Delta Duck, by Fly Jess Fly.

Third fastest qualifier Masseto completed the trifecta in the finale, finishing a nose in front of Turn the Eagle Lose.

Rene Hernandez had the riding call for trainer Mario Trujillo, Jr. and owner Jose Rocha. The One Sweet Jess gelding was bred by Spring Hill Farms LLC, out of the stakes winning mare Full Moon Dasher, by Dash Ta Fame.

Masseto has earnings of $138,350 in 11 starts and two wins; Saturday marked his first appearance in a stakes race.

Completing the field were Turn the Eagle Lose, One Dashing Dove, Cole Train 2, Jess Sea Louisiana, Five Bar Panther, Elegant Blues Girl and Good Lookin Patriot.

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The Evangeline Downs Quarter Horse season wraps up with Monday and Tuesday cards next week.  First post for the closing week cards is 4:30pm each day.