Kiss My Maruska, under jockey Victor Urieta, Jr., setting the fastest qualifying time for the Grade 2 Louisiana Downs Futurity on Friday at Louisiana Downs.

© Ann Switalski Photography

BOSSIER CITY, LA–MARCH 8, 2024–Kiss My Maruska, another TQHA Yearling Sale graduate, joined yesterday's fastest Dm Nite Hawk to post the top two qualifying marks on their respective trial days for the Grade 2 Louisiana Downs Futurity at Louisiana Downs.

Today's five fastest qualifiers will join Thursday's five fastest (see related story) when they return Saturday, March 30 to vie for the $178,965 winner's purse from the record-setting $397,702 final going 300 yards.

Ridden by jockey Victor Urieta, Jr., Kiss My Maruska blasted from the starting gate in trial 6 today then quickly romped to a convincing 1-1/2 length victory in the top qualifying mark of :15.528 seconds, a 98 speed index on a sloppy sealed racetrack with a 5 mph tailwind.

Trainer Juan Diaz, Jr. saddled the two fastest qualifiers today, who will join two qualifiers he sent out on Thursday (Day 1).  

Rr Favoritefireworks setting the second fastest time in trial 4 on Friday at Louisiana Downs. © Ann Switalski Photography

Owner Heavy Hitter Racing Stables paid $88,000 for the son of champion Kiss My Hocks at the 2023 TQHA Yearling Sale. Tyler and Naia Graham bred the sorrel colt from the Favorite Cartel mare Ms Highmaitenance. Kiss My Maruska is a sister to last year's Sam Houston Futurity(G2) runner-up Red Reddington.

Diaz won trial 4 with $40,000 Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale graduate Rr Favoritefireworks.  Also ridden by Urieta, Jr., the Favorite Cartel colt dug in to win by three-quarters while posting the second fastest clocking of :15.535, a 95 speed index with a 5 mph tailwind on a sloppy (sealed) racecourse.

Luis Plascencia owns the sorrel colt with the Grade 3 winning Walk Thru Fire mare Illegal Fireworks. Rr Favoritefireworks is a half-brother to Golden State Derby(G2) winner Conquering Marie  and Mystery Futurity (RG2) winner Illegal Moonflash. Reliance Ranches LLC bred Rr Favoritefireworks in Oklahoma. This is the family of champion/champion sire Good Reason SA.

For the complete list of ten qualifiers to the Grade 2 Louisiana Downs Futurity, with times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys CLICK HERE.

Louisiana Downs will host a nine race card, the first of two days of trials for the richest race at Louisiana Downs—the record setting $458,794 Mark Gras Futurity(RG2) . First post is 1:05 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.