Mc Blue Cartel recorded the fastest time of the day during Louisiana Downs schooling races, winning race 12 in :12.021 seconds ahead of the RG2 Mardi Gras Futurity Trials on March 7.

© Ann Switalski Photography

By Stallionesearch / Louanne Wainscott

BOSSIER CITY, LA–MARCH 4, 2026–On Saturday, March 7th, Louisiana Downs will host seventy-two Louisiana-bred juveniles competing across nine trial heats for the Mardi Gras Futurity (RG2) Trials. Each hopeful will be chasing a spot among the ten fastest qualifiers set to return on March 28th for the $100,000-added Mardi Gras Futurity (RG2) Finals.

Headlining the contenders is Mc Blue Cartel, listed at 6-1 on the morning line in the eighth race. The filly turned in the fastest clocking of the day during schooling races, capturing race 12 in a sharp :12.021 seconds.

Trained by Josue Ponce for owner Jaime Cardenas, the daughter of Carters Cartel was bred in Louisiana by Bottoms Up Racing out of Mc Bluecorona by Jess Louisiana Blue. She proved to be a bargain as a $10,000 repurchase at the 2025 LQHBA Yearling Sale. Jorge J. Garcia has the call from post eight as she looks to translate her schooling brilliance into an official debut victory.

The second-fastest time from that same schooling session was Epyphany, who stopped the timer in :12.133 seconds. The colt enters race three at 5-1 morning-line odds with Yaidel Rodriguez named to ride from post six.

By Apollitical Blood and bred by Jagger Horse Racing out of W Project by Power Storm, Epyphany is trained by Luis Martinez for owner Rene Adan Rodriguez. A $27,000 graduate of the LQHBA Yearling Sale, he has already hinted at considerable upside and will aim to confirm that promise when the gates open.

Jes Innocent recorded the third-fastest clocking of the day while finishing second to Mc Blue Cartel in schooling race 12. Trained by Ismael Solis for owner Dewey Kendrick III, the black filly was bred by Eddie Cramer along with Tom and Bill Maher out of Jess All That by Corona Cartel. She brought $15,000 at last year’s LQHBA Yearling Sale and will break from post six in the final trial heat under Pedro C. Espinosa, seeking to turn the tables and secure her place in the finals.

With proven speed already displayed in schooling company, these promising Louisiana-bred juveniles appear poised to deliver a thrilling afternoon of trial competition. Each will be looking for a clean break and a powerful finish, knowing that only the ten fastest will advance to the lucrative $100,000-added Mardi Gras Futurity (RG2) Finals later this month.

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

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

Would you like more industry news delivered directly to your inbox? Click here to sign up.