Corona Two Socks (#6) gets up over Blues Train Too (#3) and Hes Bold As Corona (#8). The trio were the top three qualifiers for the $458,794 Mardi Gras Futurity (RG2) today.

© Ann Switalski Photography

BOSSIER CITY, LA–MARCH 9, 2024–Corona Two Socks, a $15,000 LQHBA Yearling Sale graduate, broke his maiden in his career debut today while posting the fastest qualifying time on Day 1 of two days of trials for the record setting restricted Grade 2 Mardi Gras Futurity at Louisiana Downs, with a 2024 purse valued at $458,794.

Today's five qualifiers will join the five fastest from nine trials to be contested tomorrow (Mar 10)  in the march 30th 300 yard final at Louisiana Downs. The state-bred juveniles will be racing for a winner's purse valued at $206,457. 

Track conditions today were fast with a 10 mph tailwind throughout the day.

A late push under jockey Ubaldo Luna propelled Corona Two Socks to a nose win over Blues Train Too in the second trial. Hes Bold As Corona finished a neck back in third in a blanket-finish that earned the trio the top three qualifying spots on Saturday.

Corona Two Socks completed the 300 yards in :15.618 seconds, a 92 speed index.

Trainer Preston Jourdan saddled winner Corona Two Socks to victory for owner Mark G. Petry. Barry Fontenot bred the son of champion sire Corona Leaving You from the Favorite Cartel mare Jls Carters Reb, a half-sister to stakes winner Get It Reb and Grade -placed Tee Cos.

Lady Coco Piloto, under jockey Mario Trujillo, qualifying in the fifth trial on Saturday Louisiana Downs.
© Ann Switalski Photography

"Owner Mark Petry really liked him at the (LQHBA Yearling) Sale," said trainer Jourdan. "He was broke in Texas but has been with me this year in Louisiana. He's not a real big horse and was a little nervous at first, but got better every time he worked."

Jourdan's top performer is the multiple-stakes winning gelding Tuckers Prize ($311,345) who has won 16 of his 46 starts and will likely run one more time this meet at Louisiana Downs.

"I have trained for Mark for 20 years so to see this horse run so well today and keep the fastest time till the final trial was really exciting," Jourdan added.

Runner-up Blues Train Too, under jockey Luis Ruiz, broke in at start but battled gamely to get the second fastest clocking of :15.622 seconds, also a 92 speed index. Owner Carniceria Prime Meat Market Racing paid $25,000 for the Freighttrain B filly at the LQHBA Yearling Sale.

Rf Imperial Choice, under jockey Juan Garcia, Jr., winning the opening trial on Saturday at Louisiana Downs.
© Ann Switalski Photography

Daniel Garcia conditions the Rick Boutte bred filly from the Jess Louisiana Blue mare Jazzing To The Blues, a half-sister to stakes winners Zoomin Jazz and Jazzoomba.

Earning the third fastest time in the second trial, Hes Bold As Corona completed the 300 yards in :15.643 seconds, a 91 speed index, after a late start under jockey Jose Ruiz.

Guillermo Martinez trains the Coronas Leaving You colt for owner Asael Isidoro Charmin.  Salvador Olmeda bred the gray colt form the Desiro mare Shes Bold As Bold.

Lady Coco Piloto was much the best under jockey Mario Trujillo while winning trial 5 in the fourth fastest time of :15.648 seconds, a 91 speed index. Trainer Gilberto Rosales saddled the daughter of leading Louisiana sire Mr Piloto for owners Justin Flores and Juan Guzman.

Bred by Grant Farms LLC, Lady Coco Piloto is the first foal from the Jet Black Patriot mare Coco Jet Black, a half-sister to stakes winner Watch My Wallet Loto.

Rf Imperial Choice was a 1-1/2 length winner in the opening trial to grab the final qualifying spot with a :15.662 clocking, equaling a 90 speed index. The $10,500 LQHBA Yearling Sale graduate races for owner Armando Solis Castillo.

The bay filly is the first Quarter Horse starter by Imperial Hint (TB), a $2.2 million multiple Grade 1 winning sprinter.  Bred by Rogers Farm / Tim and Jennie Rogers, Rf Imperial Choice is the second foal from the Heza Fast Dash mare Rd Obvious Choice, a sister to LQHBA Sale Futurity(G1) winner Rdd Lajollanfastdash.

For a complete list of qualifiers from Day 1 and 2 to the Mardi Gras Futurity(RG2), with times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers and jockeys CLICK HERE.

Louisiana Downs will host a nine race card, Sunday the second 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).

Additional reporting by Martha Claussen.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

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.