Racing


Fastest Qualifier Tdz Louisiana Toast Blazes to Victory in the $120,782 Mardi Gras Derby
Tdz Louisiana Toast, under jockey Manuel Gutierrez , easily winning the The $120,782 Mardi Gras Derby, he richest purse in the history of the Louisiana Downs state-bred derby.

© Hodges Photography / Ann Switalski
Fastest Qualifier Tdz Louisiana Toast Blazes to Victory in the $120,782 Mardi Gras Derby

BOSSIER CITY, LA—MARCH 16, 2019—The $120,782 Mardi Gras Derby for accredited Louisiana-breds, with the richest purse in the history of the championship, went to Tdz Louisiana Toast on Saturday at Louisiana Downs.

The son of Jess Louisiana Blue out of the Toast to Dash mare Shes a Royal Toast was bred in Louisiana by Tony Doughtie. He set the fastest qualifying time in seven trials run on February 24 for owner Juan F. Martinez, and reunited today with rider Manuel Gutierrez for his sixth lifetime victory.

Tdz Louisiana Toast was the runner-up in the 2018 Mardi Gras Futurity to Guidry Pride II, and went on to win trials in both the LQHBA Sale Futurity and LQHBA Louisiana Million.

He finished his 2-year-old season with a runner-up finish in the $100,000 Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile at Fair Grounds and entered the final as the heavy favorite. He left the gates in front, and never relinquished his lead, drawing off by a margin of 2 ¾ lengths, covering 400 yards in :19.478.

The winning connections of TDZ Louisiana Toast accept the Mardi Gras Derby stakes trophy Saturday afternoon at Louisiana Downs. © Hodges Photography / Ann Switalski
Trainer Alonso Neri was asked about the interlude between the trials and today's impressive run in the final, in which he posted a speed index of 106.

"I just let him be himself," said Neri. "He's such a great horse and his performance speaks for itself. He's really good."

"I want to thank the owner and all the people for their support," added Gutierrez. "The horse is perfect."

Tdz Louisiana Toast ($3.40) earned $56,033, increasing his lifetime bankroll to $169,073. No plans are in the works yet for the winner; Neri indicated he and Martinez will discuss in the near future.

Trainer Joe Davis saddled runner Heza Made Man for owner Martina Carmen Diaz. The stakes winning son of leading sire Heza Fast Dash picked up $21,168 to boost his earnings total to $61,868. Jorge Linares rode the bay gelding out of the multiple stakes producing Streakin La Jolla mare Six Streakin Salute. Rodney and Phillip Debenedetto is the breeder. Heza Made Man won the LQHBA Louisina Million Invitational last year.

Longshot Follow My Wagon pocketed $12,452 for his third-place effort. Trainer Martin Gallegos conditions the son of Jls Party Wagon for owner Sergio Alvarez. Leading rider John Hamilton was aboard the brown colt out of Come And Get Me by First Comment. Karen Darling Falgoust is the breeder.

Completing the Mardi Gras Derby field were Zoomin Patriot, Five Bar Perry, Appolitical Black, Louisiana Lighting and Royal Renegade. Achievopiloto and Tan Jet were both scratched due to positive trial tests.

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

About Harrah's Louisiana Downs
Located near Shreveport in Bossier City, Louisiana, Louisiana Downs opened in 1974 and was purchased by Caesars Entertainment in December, 2002. 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.