Blues Train Too Breaks Maiden, Dominates $550,000 LQHBA Sale Futurity Trials

NEW ORLEANS, LA–AUGUST 24, 2024–Blues Train Too, a $25,000 LQHBA Yearling Sale graduate, picked the right time to break her maiden on Saturday when she posted the fastest qualifying time for the $550,714 LQHBA Sale Futurity(RG1) at Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans.

The ten fastest qualifiers will return to the Fair Grounds Race Course on Saturday, September 24, to compete for the winner's share of the $247,821 purse at 350 yards.

Quick from the gate under jockey Luis Ruiz, Blues Trian Too raced to a length victory and the top qualifying mark of 17.830 seconds, an 86-speed index, into a 12 mph headwind. Blues Train Too was the only horse to break the 18 second barrier today.

Trainer Juan Cano saddled the daughter of world champion sire Freighttrain B to her first win in four starts for owner Carniceria Prime Meat Market Racing. Two races back, Rick Boutte bred Blues Train Too was fifth in the restricted Grade 2 $458,794 Mardis Gras Futurity.

"She had been training well and was really sharp today," said Cano. "One of the owners, Jaime Cardenas, liked her at the sale and felt that she was going to be one of the best 2-year-olds."

The lightly raced San Lorenzo Firulais kept his record a perfect 2-for-2 in the second trial under jockey Martin Osuna. Still green, the colt sipped at the start, brushed, and drifted but managed to get the second-fastest clocking of 18.008 seconds, an 81-speed index into a 12 mph headwind.

Jeremy Derozin conditions the $11,000 LQHBA Yearling Sale repurchase for owner Rogelio Marquez, Jr. Teddy Berry bred the Carters Cartel colt from the Dashs Slinky mare Bjs Cute N Natural.

Out of the Jess Louisiana Blue mare Jazzing To The Blues, she has earned $38,128.

Carte Blanch finished second to fastest qualifier Blues Train Too to get the third-fastest clocking of 17.830 seconds, an 86-speed index into a 12 mph headwind. Juan Garcia, Jr. had the riding call aboard the $10,000 LQHBA graduate for trainer M. Heath Taylor.

Rancho El 48 LLC owns the gelded son champion sire The Louisiana Cartel from the Tiz The One (TB) mare Emily's Lollipop (TB). Winless in four starts, Carte Blanch was a finalist in the restricted Grade 1 $654,014 Lee Berwick Futurity. He has earned $17,680.

CLICK HERE for a complete list of The LQHBA Sale Futurity(RG1) finalists, with times, sires, dams, owners, breeders, trainers, and jockeys.

Freighttrain B led all sires with three qualifiers.

Additional reporting by Martha Claussen.