$5,500 TQHA Yearling Graduate Chendo Posts Top Mark To $339,046 Louisiana Downs Futurity(G2)

Chendo, under jockey Eleazar Hernandez, breaks his maiden at first asking while posting the fastest qualifying time for the Grade 3 $339,046 Louisiana Downs Futurity Thursday afternoon.

© Ann Switalski Photography

BOSSIER CITY, LA–MARCH 2, 2023–Chendo proved his top time in the February 17 training races at Louisiana Downs was no fluke.

Today the son of leading second-crop sire RC Me Leaving You rolled to one-length win over fellow finalist San Lorenzita to set the fastest qualifying time for the Grade 3 $339,046 Louisiana Downs Futurity.

The 10 fastest qualifiers, from 10 trials race contested today into 13 to 15 mph headwinds, will return to the Bossier City racetrack on Saturday, March 25, to vie for the winner's share of the purse valued at more than $152,570.

Ridden by jockey Eleazar Hernandez, Chendo broke well then shifted to a second gear as he recorded the top time :15.715 seconds, a 90 speed index on a fast racing surface. Trainer Santiago Villaseca trains the gelded son of RC Me Leaving You for owner Carlos Gabriel Castro of Elgin, Texas.

Castro paid $5,500 for the colt, who sold under the name of Rc Mr Otoole, last July at the TQHA Yearling Sale in San Antonio. Granda Farms, Agent for breeder RC Running Horses consigned the colt from the family of All American Futurity(G1) runner-up Sudden Thoughts champion Eyesa Special.

"Santiago and I attended the TQHA Yearling Sale and we both liked Chendo when he walked into the ring," said  Castro. "We were fortunate to get him for just $5,550 and watching him win his schooling race and get the fastest qualifying time today is pretty exciting for us!"

Hock Tree Special, under jockey Ubaldo Luna, posting the second fastest time at Louisiana Downs.
© Ann Switalski Photography

The two men are good friends and appreciated the help of Francisco Ramirez who broke the talented juvenile and jockey Hernandez who fits Chendo well.

Hock Tree Special, under jockey Ubaldo Luna, defeated fellow qualifier Kas delivers Gl by half-a-length in the ninth trial to post the second fastest clocking of :15.790 seconds, an 87 speed index.

Trainer Daniel G. Luna conditions the $55,000 TQHA Sales graduate for owner Jessica Mendez.

"Gaspar Garcia broke him for us and liked him from the beginning," said Luna. "I remember him telling us that we might have something special. We had him gelded as I wanted a runner, not a stallion."

Hardtotempt, under jockey Victor Urieta, Jr., posting the third fastest time in the eighth trial.
© Ann Switalski Photography

Hardtotempt, a $95,000 TQHA repurchase  for owner-breeder Louis A. Malechek, III scampered to a one-length in the eighth trial to secure the third fastest time of :15.834 seconds, an 86 speed index .

Trainer Juan Diaz, Jr. named jockey Victor Urieta, Jr. to ride the Tempting Dash filly out of the stakes winning Foose mare Hardtoget. This is the immediate family of multiple Grade 1 winner Lynnder 16 and stakes winners First Of 15, Rattle N Battle, Apollitical Man and Reacher 16. The third dam is champion Tiny First Effort.

Whirlaway Party, under jockey Juan Garcia, Jr. winning the sixth trial by 1-3/4 lengths. © Ann Switalski Photography

Ann Albin’s Whirlaway Party will also run in the final after a solid victory in the seventh trial, in which she pulled away under Juan Garcia, Jr, in :15.846 seconds, the fourth fastet time. 

Conditioner Justin Powell is tied for third in the 2023 Louisiana Downs standings and The filly by Whirlaway Red is  full  sister to (multiple stakes winner Whirlaway Wagon) and trained by Justin Powell.

Tempting Dash not only sired the third fastest qualifier, but he is also the sire's sire of Kiss My Hocks who got two finalists and first-crop sire Kas Tempting who sired the fifth fastest qualifier.

Champion and first-crop sire Flying Cowboy 123 also got his first winner and first graded stakes finalist when Woopaa123 won the fourth trial for owner-breeder Jose Espinosa.

Pyc Paint Your Wagon was well represented as a broodmare sire with four daughters who produced qualifiers to the Grade 3 Louisiana Downs Futurity.

For a complete list of 2023 Louisiana Downs Futurity(G2) finalists with times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys CLICK HERE.

Additional reporting by Martha Claussen.

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Live racing returns tomorrow (Friday) at Louisian Downs with a 12 race card featuring Day 1 of the Mardi Gras Futurity(RG2) trials. First post is 12:35 p.m. (CST).

About Louisiana Downs
Located near Shreveport in Bossier City, Louisiana, Louisiana Downs opened in 1974 and is 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.