Mamma Im Leaving You enters as the 3-1 morning line favorite after delivering a commanding, one-length victory in her trial to secure the fastest qualifying time.

© Ann Switalski Photography

By Stallionesearch / Louanne Wainscott

BOSSIER CITY, LA–March 25, 2026—Friday afternoon at Louisiana Downs features an eight-race card beginning at 1:35 PM, highlighted by the $100,000 Mardi Gras Oaks and the $100,000 Mardi Gras Derby. Both stakes’ events will showcase the ten fastest Louisiana-bred sophomores from the March 5th trial heats, setting the stage for a competitive, talent-rich afternoon of racing.

The seventh race, scheduled for approximately 4:05 PM, will spotlight the $100,000 Mardi Gras Oaks at 400 yards, where a strong group of Louisiana-bred fillies will look to establish themselves among the division’s elite.

Mamma Im Leaving You enters as the 3-1 morning line favorite after delivering a commanding, one-length victory in her trial to secure the fastest qualifying time. The filly has carried her consistency from her juvenile season into her three-year-old campaign, with only one off-the-board finish coming in the G2 Louisiana Champions Day Juvenile Stakes final. Prior to that effort, she posted runner-up finishes in both the G2 Mardi Gras Futurity and the G2 Louisiana Bred Lassie Futurity. With three career wins and $138,414 in earnings, she brings both class and experience into the final.

Bred in Louisiana by Wiggins Acres, LLC, Mamma Im Leaving You is by Coronas Leaving You and out of Mamma Jamma Jamma by Apollitical Jess. Owned by Jeantile M. Deville, who purchased her for $33,000 at the LQHBA Yearling Sale, she will break from post four under jockey Noe Castaneda for trainer Jose U. Lopez.

To her inside, Usxpress looms as a serious contender at 7-2 odds after finishing second to the favorite in the trials. The filly has compiled a steady and productive résumé, breaking her maiden in the Lassie Futurity trials before stepping up to clear her non-two condition and later capturing her trial for the LQHBA Louisiana Million Futurity, with a troubled trip in those finals for her lone off-the-board finish, highlighting her otherwise consistent form.

Bred by Lester Colomb, Jr., Usxpress is sired by Heza Fast Rogue and out of Ec Prairie Mist by Corona Cartel. Owned by Blackmon Quarter Horses, LLC and purchased for $19,000 at the LQHBA Yearling Sale, she will be saddled by Luis Daniel Garcia from post three with Federico Vargas aboard.

The Mardi Gras Oaks shapes up as a competitive clash among ten talented fillies, each aiming to capitalize on their trial performances and claim a marquee victory at 400 yards.

The eighth and final race, set for approximately 4:30 PM, will feature the $100,000 Mardi Gras Derby, where the spotlight turns to Louisiana-bred sophomore geldings.

Headlining the field is Rf Fast Dash N Blood, installed as the overwhelming 1-2 morning line favorite. The standout gelding enters off a dominant two-length trial victory that secured him the fastest qualifying time, further reinforcing his status as the most accomplished runner in the division. Recently crowned LQHBA Champion Two-Year-Old Gelding and High Money Earner, he has compiled an extraordinary record of nine wins from eleven starts, including victories in the G2 Louisiana Bred Laddie Futurity, the G1 Lee Berwick Memorial Louisiana Bred Futurity, and the G1 LQHBA Louisiana Million Futurity. His earnings have soared to $1,181,189, making him the clear horse to beat.

Bred in Louisiana by Rogers Farm, Tim and Jennie Rogers, Rf Fast Dash N Blood is by Apollitical Blood and out of Fast Dash N Deby by Heza Fast Dash. Owned by Jaime Cardenas, who secured him for $80,000 at the LQHBA Yearling Sale, he will break from post seven under regular rider Jorge J. Garcia for trainer Josue Ponce.

Among those looking to challenge the favorite is Last Eagle V at 6-1 odds. The lightly raced gelding has shown promise, with three wins and two seconds from six starts, earning $239,897. He qualified for both the G2 Mardi Gras Futurity and the G1 LQHBA Louisiana Million Futurity during his juvenile campaign, signaling his ability to compete at a high level.

Bred by Brian L. Gunder, Last Eagle V is sired by Gold Heart Eagle V and out of Ifuaintfirstulast by First Down Dash. Owned by Leobersi Perez, who purchased him for $16,000 at the LQHBA Yearling Sale, he will be saddled by Eduardo L. Morales with Yaidel Rodriguez aboard from post three.

With ten accomplished Louisiana-bred geldings set to line up in the Mardi Gras Derby, the race promises a thrilling conclusion to the afternoon card. From proven champions to emerging contenders, Friday’s program at Louisiana Downs offers a compelling showcase of the state’s top three-year-old talent, sure to energize fans and bettors ahead of a full weekend of racing.

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

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