Louisiana-bred RF Fast Dash N Blood continued his dominance Thursday afternoon at Louisiana Downs, posting the fastest qualifying time for the Mardi Gras Derby trials.

© Ann Switalski Photography

By Emily Paulk, Stallionesearch

BOSSIER CITY, LA–MARCH 5, 2026–Louisiana-bred RF Fast Dash N Blood continued his dominance Thursday afternoon at Louisiana Downs, posting the fastest qualifying time for the Mardi Gras Derby trials while extending his winning streak to nine races.

Ridden by Jorge Javier Garcia, the Apollitical Blood gelding broke sharply and went wire-to-wire to win the opening trial by 2-lengths in :19.803 for 400 yards, earning a 102 speed index over a fast track.

Owned by Jaime Cardenas and trained by Josue Ponce, RF Fast Dash N Blood improved his record to 11-9-1-0 while boosting his career earnings to $1,181,189. The gelding has now won nine consecutive starts, including victories in the LQHBA Louisiana Million Futurity (G1), LQHBA Sale Futurity (G1), Lee Berwick Memorial Louisiana Bred Futurity (G1), and the Louisiana Bred Laddie Futurity (G2).

Bred in Louisiana by Rogers Farm/Tim and Jennie Rogers, RF Fast Dash N Blood is a $80,000 graduate of the LQHBA Yearling Sale. He is by champion sire Apollitical Blood, a stallion with 303 winners and more than $19 million in progeny earnings, led by Grade 1 winner Apollitical Patty ($1,243,757). The standout gelding is out of the Heza Fast Dash mare Fast Dash N Deb, a winner and Grade 1 stakes-placed runner.

Last Eagle V recorded the second-fastest qualifying time after winning the fourth trial in :19.804, also earning a 102 speed index. Ridden by Yaidel Rodriguez, the gelding was “much the best,” drawing clear to win by 2 1/4-lengths.

Owned by Leobersi Perez and trained by Eduardo L. Morales, Last Eagle V is a $16,000 graduate of the LQHBA Yearling Sale. Bred by Brian L. Gunder, the gelding is by All American Derby (G1) winner Gold Heart Eagle V, a sire with more than $2.6 million in progeny earnings. He is out of the First Down Dash mare Ifuaintfirstulast. Last Eagle V now holds a record of 6-3-2-0 and captured last year’s Mardi Gras Futurity (G2).

Third-fastest qualifier San Lorenzo Chicken closed strongly to capture the second trial in :19.904 with a 98 speed index.

Ridden by Leonardo Rodriguez for owner Rogelio Marquez, Jr. and trainer Juan C. Garcia, the gelding rallied late to prevail by a neck. San Lorenzo Chicken is by champion sire One Sweet Jess, whose progeny have earned more than $19.4 million. He is out of the Toast To Dash mare A Special Toast, a four-time winner and stakes-placed runner.

Bred by Tate Farms, San Lorenzo Chicken now owns a record of 8-3-1-1 with earnings of $47,895. The gelding was also a finalist in last year’s LQHBA Louisiana Million Futurity (G1).

The remaining order of qualifiers can be viewed HERE.

The ten fastest qualifiers from the trials will return to Louisiana Downs for the $100,000-estimated Mardi Gras Derby final scheduled for March 28.

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