Ultimo Alex Sets Fastest Qualifying Time For $349,946 Mardi Gras Futurity (RG2) at Louisiana Downs

BOSSIER CITY, LA—MARCH 6, 2021—Harrah’s Louisiana Downs hosted seventeen trials to the $349,946 Mardi Gras Futurity (RG2) on Saturday afternoon. Each were contested at a distance of 300 yards over a fast track. 

Jorge Haddad’s homebred Ultimo Alex broke his maiden convincingly in the first trial of the day, as he crossed the wire in :15.517 seconds under Luis Vivanco. Sired by two-time AQHA Racing champion Inseperable, Ultimo Alex out of the Corona Cartel mare Cindys First CD, the bay colt prepped for his trial at Retama Park. 

He drew off by a margin of two lengths, earning a speed index of 95. Haddad, who owns Haddad Ranch in Seguin, Texas, bred, owns and trains the talented colt. 

 

Gamefaceprize, under jockey Rolando Pina, defeating KK Sandra Patriot in the fourth trial on Saturday. 
© Hodges Photography / Ann Switalski 

"I do not like to run my horses in schooling races," said Haddad. "To me, the works are more important and I talk with the jockey to see what we need to focus on. Ultima Alex impressed me from an early age galloping in the pasture. Luckily, he is very calm for a colt." 

Gamefaceprize won the fourth trial for owner Miguel Hernandez with rider Rolando Pina in the saddle. He led gate-to-wire in:15.565 seconds, earning a 93 speed index as he set the second fastest clocking of the card. 

The gelded son of multiple stakes sire Fast Prize Dash out of the Game Patriot mare Baby This Girls Game was bred by Jack Willie. He competed in schooling races last month, and although he did not win his heat, trainer Orlando Orozco was not surprised by his performance today. 

"As a yearling, he was a handful," said Orozco. "We gelded him early in his training and he always showed talent. The schooling race helped him with his focus; we look forward to the final." 

 

Put Me N Coach, under jockey David Alvarez, qualifying with the third fastest time in trial 11. 
© Hodges Photography / Ann Switalski 

Put Me N Coach, a $20,000 LQHBA Yearling Sale graduate by grade 1 sire Carters Cartel, won the 11sth trial by 1–¼ lengths under jockey David Alverez to get the third fastest clocking of :15.633 seconds. Juan Carillo, Jr. conditions the bay gelding out of Allizoom by First Prize Perry for owner Lorena Morales. Shortstop Racing is the breeder. 

Trainer Wendy Garcia, who won the 2018 Mardi Gras Futurity with Guidry Pride II saddled the -sixth fastest qualifier, Guidrys Credit Card. The half-brother to Guidry Pride II was bred by Cynthia and Johnny Guidry; he is the son of leading sire Apollitical Blood out of the Panther Mountain mare Guidrys Boodie Doo. 

A schooling race winner on February 12 at Louisiana Downs, the $17,000 LQHBA Yearling Sale repurchase was clocked at :15.714 under rider Modesto Pina, who is Garcia’s husband. 

 

Guidrys Credit Card (#8) and fellow qualifier Jess Dash Fast(#2) battle in the sixth trial on Saturday. 
© Hodges Photography / Ann Switalski 

"He is a feisty little guy," explained Garcia. "In January, we wanted to geld him, but Johnny asked us not to! Today, he broke well and we are very happy and thankful to qualify for another Mardi Gras Futurity final. My brother Juan rode Guidry Pride II; I’m hoping I can win this one with my husband!" 

Eight of the ten qualifiers are graduates from the 2020 LQHBA Yearling Sale. 

The ten fastest qualifiers will return on Saturday, March 27 with the winner of the 2021 Mardi Gras Futurity (RG2) to receive a check in the amount of $157,475. 

For a complete list of Mardi Gras Futurity qualifiers, with their times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys CLICK HERE. 

Sunday’s card at Louisiana Downs will feature six trials for the $123,790 Mardi Gras Derby. Post time for Sunday, Monday and Tuesday is 1:00 pm (CST).