BOOSIER CITY, LA—MARCH 15, 2014—Hemps Jumpn Lajolla became the first two-year-old stakes winner of 2014 Saturday afternoon when he broke his maiden in the $281,514 Mardi Gras Futurity(RG2) at Louisiana Downs.

Under jockey Raul Ramirez, Jr., the sorrel gelding defeated Party With Braxton by three-quarters to reward backers with a $25.80 win payoff. Zoies Treeshaker finished a length back in the show position.

Owned-and-trained by Miguel Rodriguez, Hemps Jumpn Lajolla completed the course in a hand-timed :15.370 seconds to earn a 99 speed index and pocket the winner's purse of $126,681. Rodriguez purchased Hemps Jumpn Lajolla from his breeder Live Oak Farms for $7,200 at the 2013 LQHBA Yearling Sale last summer.

He is the second foal of the Streakin La Jolla mare Hemps La Jolla, a winning half-sister to stakes-placed Kid Perry and A Classic Jess. His second dam won the Cajun Kindergarten Futurity(G3) in 2000.

Second fastest qualifier Party With Braxton bettered his earnings mark to $52,358 after pocketing $47,858 for second. Owned-and-trained by Noe Sanchez, the Swingin Jess colt was a 2014 LQHBA Fall Sale graduate for $6,700. Ridden by Manuel Garcia, the Michael Moward Louisiana-bred is out of the multiple stakes producing Special Effort mare Holy Effort.

Also an LQHBA Summer yearling graduate, Zoies Treeshaker picked up $28,152 for her third place effort. Still a maiden, after finishing second in her futurity trial on February 22, the sorrel miss is owned by Victor Silva and trained by Fructuoso Huitron. Joseph Henry Major Thibaut, Jr. bred the Oak Tree Special filly from the Dashin Bye mare Most Women Will. Saul Ramirez, Jr. had the riding assignment.

Hemps Jumpn Lajolla paid $25.80, $5.40 and $4.00. Party With Braxton returned $8.20 and $5.80 and Zoies Treeshaker paid $5.00 to show.

Fastest qualifier and heavy post-time favorite Dynastys Jumpin was disqualified and placed eighth after bumping Game at the start.

Completing the official order of finish were Patriot Heart, Jess For Ron, Bye Bye Lulu, Game, Dynastys Jumpin, Jls Cool Corona and Cashininafantasy.