KJ Meduzza Holds Off Man For Cos In $561,054 LQHBA Sale Futurity(RG1)

KJ Meduzza turned back a furious late bid from Man For Cos Saturday night to win the $561,054 LQHBA Sale Futurity(RG1) at Delta Downs, giving leading third-crop sire KJ Mucho Macho Man a one-two finish in the rich 350-yard final.

Breaking sharply under jockey Victor Manuel Urieta Jr., KJ Meduzza went immediately to the front and had just enough left to hold off Man For Cos by a neck at the wire. The sorrel gelding completed the 350 yards in :17.503, earning a 99 speed index over a fast racing surface.

The victory was worth $255,055 for owner J.A. Racing LLC and boosted KJ Meduzza's career earnings to $605,092 from eight starts. He has won three races with four seconds, highlighted by victories in both the LQHBA Sale Futurity(RG1) and Lee Berwick Futurity(RG1). He was also runner-up in the Louisiana Bred Laddie Juvenile and was a finalist in the Mardi Gras Futurity(RG2).

Trainer Miguel Pizana conditions KJ Meduzza, who was bred in Louisiana by Ruse Ranch LLC. The gelding is from the Ragazzo mare Meduzza. Offered in the 2025 LQHBA Yearling Sale, KJ Meduzza was a $20,000 RNA.

Man For Cos overcame an awkward start and unleashed a strong late surge under jockey Nestor Duran to finish second, a neck behind the winner and a neck in front of Cajun Tide. The runner-up effort earned $96,333 for owner and breeder Ruse Ranch LLC and increased his career bankroll to $187,563.

Trained by Jose A. Garcia, Man For Cos has now won four of seven starts with one second and one third. In addition to his runner-up finish in the LQHBA Sale Futurity(RG1), he was third in the Lee Berwick Futurity(RG1) and a finalist in the Louisiana Bred Laddie Futurity(RG2).

Another son of KJ Mucho Macho Man, Man For Cos is out of the Tee Cos mare Just For Cos. Ruse Ranch LLC offered the gelding at the 2025 LQHBA Yearling Sale, where he was a $6,500 RNA.

Cajun Tide turned in a game effort from the inside post to finish third, a neck behind Man For Cos. He finished one-half length ahead of fourth-place finisher Epyphany. The third-place check of $56,666 increased Cajun Tide's earnings to $78,266 from four career starts. He has won twice with one third.

Kenneth Weeks trains Cajun Tide for owner Two The Max Investments LLC, and Servando Ramirez was aboard Saturday night. Bred in Louisiana by Lester Colomb Jr., the gelding is by multiple stakes sire Rip Tide from the Jet Black Patriot mare Mia Jet In. Cajun Tide was a $20,000 purchase at the 2025 LQHBA Yearling Sale.

Completing the field were Epyphany, Whoozthatlady, Thunderrrstruck, Lil Ivory Legacy, Im It, and Krs Dream. Apollitical Latino, Om Cold Blood and Rdd Reasons For B were scratched.

Delta Downs will now be dark until the track opens the 2026-27 Thoroughbred season on Friday, October 9. The 76-day meeting will run through February 20. First post time each night will be at 4:40 pm (CDT).

For more information about the season, visit the track’s website at www.deltadowns.com/race. Fans can also follow the track through social media on Facebook and X.

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