JP Fast Dash turned in the fastest schooling time of the day on February 14 at Louisiana Downs, covering 220 yards in :11.95 ahead of his debut in the Grade 3 Louisiana Downs Futurity Trials.

© Ann Switalski Photography

By Stallionesearch / Louanne Wainscott

BOSSIER CITY, LA–MARCH 3, 2026–On Friday afternoon at Louisiana Downs, ninety-two juveniles will compete across ten trial heats for the Grade 3 Louisiana Downs Futurity Trials, contested at 300 yards with first post set for approximately 12:10 p.m. The trials promise a competitive afternoon as young prospects make their debut starts, all aiming to earn a coveted spot in the March 28 finale.

Among the ten heats, the ninth trial shapes up as the most demanding, featuring three juveniles who have already shown significant promise in schooling races and morning workouts.

Kahlua enters the ninth trial as the 2-1 morning-line favorite following a sharp series of preparations. The gelding recorded a bullet work on February 14, breezing 220 yards in :12.25, and previously ranked seventh-fastest of the day on February 5 with a gate work of :12.30 at the same distance.

Owned by Melanie J. and Rosio Hernandez, Kahlua was purchased for $8,000 at the TQHA Yearling Sale. He is by Triple Vodka out of Prairie War Princess by Dashin Is Easy and was bred in Texas by the Terrazas Family. Jose Luis Sanchez III conditions the gelding, who will break from post eight with Eddie Sanchez in the irons.

Lining up alongside Kahlua is longshot JP Fast Dash at 15-1 odds, but his recent schooling effort suggests he could be a live contender. The colt set the fastest schooling time on February 14, covering 220 yards in a swift :11.95. Earlier, he posted a January 14 gate work of :13.04.

 JP Fast Dash is by Ivory James out of McM Little Rat by Heza Fast Dash and was bred in Texas by JP Quarter Horses. Racing for owner Julian Perez, he is trained by Josue Ponce and will be ridden by Ruben Delarosa Jr.

Also in the ninth is DK Bonita Jess, listed at 9-2, the highest-priced entrant in the trials. The filly was purchased for $120,000 at the Ruidoso Select Yearling Sale by CH Horse Racing, LLC. She is sired by Apollitical Jess out of Marney Jo by Corona Cartel and was bred in Mexico by Cuadra La Presita. Jose A. Garcia trains the filly, who will start from post seven with Manuel Gutierrez aboard as she looks to secure a qualifying performance.

Earlier on the card, the seventh race features Whoopie Cowgirl at 15-1 odds. The filly attracted attention after setting the fastest time of the day at the Retama Park schooling races on February 4. Purchased for $35,000 at the TQHA Yearling Sale by Denis I. Moran, she is trained by Ramiro Barajas Villarreal and will be piloted by Jorge J. Garcia.

Whoopie Cowgirl is by Flying Cowboy 123 out of Tacarosie by Tac It Like a Man and was bred in Texas by Mark E. Rigby, DVM.

With a full field of juveniles making their first career starts, Friday’s trials are loaded with anticipation and potential. As these young runners break from the gates, each will be chasing not only a fast time, but a place in the Grade 3 Louisiana Downs Futurity finale later this month.

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

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