Rf Fast Dash N Blood, an $80,000 LQHBA Yearling Sale graduate owned by Jaime Cardenas and trained by Josue Ponce, returns to action Thursday in the Mardi Gras Derby trials.

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By Stallionesearch / Louanne Wainscott

BOSSIER CITY, LA–MARCH 1, 2026—The Thursday afternoon card at Louisiana Downs will showcase two divisions of Louisiana-bred talent as sophomores line up in the Mardi Gras Derby and Mardi Gras Oaks trials. A combined fifty-three three-year-olds will compete for coveted spots in the March 27th finals, highlighting one of the most anticipated afternoons of the Louisiana-bred season.

The Mardi Gras Derby Trials, carded as races two through five at 400 yards, are scheduled to begin at approximately 2:00 PM. Thirty-three entrants will vie for the ten fastest qualifying times to advance into the Mardi Gras Derby Finals.

The spotlight immediately falls on race two, the opening trial heat, where 1-1 morning-line favorite Rf Fast Dash N Blood begins his three-year-old campaign. The accomplished gelding has compiled a remarkable record of eight wins from ten starts, capturing the Grade 2 Louisiana Bred Laddie Futurity, the Grade 1 Lee Berwick Memorial Louisiana Bred Futurity, the Grade 1 LQHBA Sale Futurity, and the Grade 1 LQHBA Louisiana Million Futurity. With earnings of $1,176,989, he stands as the richest entrant in the Derby trials for owner Jaime Cardenas, who secured him for $80,000 at the LQHBA Yearling Sale.

Sired by Apollitical Blood and out of Fast Dash N Deb by Heza Fast Dash, the Louisiana-bred was bred by Rogers Farm, Tim and Jennie Rogers. Conditioner Josue Ponce sends him from post two, with Jorge J. Garcia named to ride as the standout looks to continue his dominance into the Derby ranks.

The final Derby trial, race five, features another accomplished runner in 2-1 morning-line choice Last Eagle V. The gelding broke his maiden impressively in the Grade 2 Mardi Gras Futurity during his juvenile season and later endured a troubled start when fifth in the Grade 1 LQHBA Louisiana Million Futurity. He enters the trials with $235,697 in earnings for owner Leobersi Perez, who purchased him for $16,000 at the LQHBA Yearling Sale.

By Gold Heart Eagle V and out of Ifuaintfirstulast by First Down Dash, Last Eagle V was bred in Louisiana by Brian L. Gunder. Eduardo L. Morales conditions the gelding from post three, with Yaidel Rodriguez returning aboard in pursuit of a finals berth.

The Mardi Gras Oaks Trials will follow in races six and seven at approximately 3:40 PM, as twenty Louisiana-bred sophomore fillies compete at 400 yards for ten qualifying spots in the March 27th Oaks Finals.

Leading the Oaks contenders is Marcy Train B, installed as the 2-1 morning-line favorite in race six for owner Jaime Cardenas. The filly has already secured four victories, including the Grade 2 Louisiana Bred Lassie Futurity and the LQHBA Sale Debutante Stakes, along with a qualification to the Grade 1 LQHBA Louisiana Million Futurity. Her bankroll stands at $201,072.

Marcy Train B is sired by Freighttrain B out of Jessby Marcy by Mr. Jess Perry and was bred in Louisiana by Grant Farms, LLC. Josue Ponce will saddle the filly from post nine, with Jorge J. Garcia named to guide her as she looks to extend her success into her three-year-old campaign.

With established champions, proven stakes performers, and emerging talent all on display, Thursday’s program promises high-caliber Louisiana-bred competition. The afternoon of trials action is set to begin at 1:35 PM, with the road to Mardi Gras glory officially underway.

The Louisiana Downs races can be watched on Q-Racing Video.

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