JP Fast Dash Installed as Morning-Line Favorite for $159,740 Big Easy Futurity Tonight at Delta Downs

A talented field of 10 2-year-old Quarter Horses will line up tonight in the $159,740 The Big Easy Futurity at Delta Downs. The 350-yard final, carded as Race 9, has an approximate post time of 9:35 p.m. (CDT). The finalists earned their berths through trials conducted on August 7.

JP Fast Dash, the 8-5 morning-line favorite, enters the final off a dominant trial victory for owner Julian Perez, trainer Josue Ponce and jockey Jorge J. Garcia. The Texas-bred son of champion sire Ivory James, out of McM Little Rat by Heza Fast Dash, was bred by JP Quarter Horses. Breaking from post 3 in the seventh trial August 7, JP Fast Dash quickly took command and drew away to win by 1 1/4 lengths over Mucho Man Lady, covering 350 yards in 17.569 seconds, the fastest clocking.

JP Fast Dash has won two of three career starts and earned $14,930. He broke his maiden at Delta Downs July 17 with an impressive three-length victory at 300 yards before returning three weeks later to dominate his Big Easy trial. His only defeat came in his career debut March 6 at Louisiana Downs, where he finished second by a half-length in a 300-yard futurity trial.

Two accomplished runners share the second choice on the morning line at 5-1, led by Mucho Man Lady, who will break from post 8 for owner and breeder Ruse Ranch LLC. Jose A. Garcia trains the Texas-bred daughter of leading third-crop sire Kj Mucho Macho Man, out of Cosmo Traffic by Cosmograph, with Victor M. Urieta Jr. named to ride. Mucho Man Lady has compiled three wins, three seconds and a third from seven starts while earning $163,659, making her the field's leading money earner.

Mucho Man Lady finished second to JP Fast Dash in their August 7 trial, completing the 350 yards in 17.773 seconds after chasing the winner throughout. Earlier this season, she won the $152,000 Old South Futurity at Delta Downs and also captured a trial for that race. She later won a June 12 trial before finishing a close second to The King Marfa in the $271,000 Firecracker Futurity (G2) on July 4.

Also listed at 5-1 is The King Marfa, winner of the Firecracker Futurity (G2) and one of the most accomplished juveniles in the field. Owned by Alfonso Rangel and trained by Ramiro Aboytes-Suarez, the Oklahoma-bred gelding will be ridden by Noe Castaneda. The son of The Marfa Lights, out of Bv Heavenly by Bv Travelin Soldier, was bred by Bella Vista Farms LLC and was a $13,000 Heritage Place Yearling Sale graduate. He has won three of six starts and earned $163,640.

The King Marfa won his August 7 Big Easy trial by a half-length over Be Myy Valentine, completing 350 yards in 17.800 seconds. The victory followed his July 4 triumph over Mucho Man Lady in the Firecracker Futurity (G2). He has won three consecutive races at 350 yards, including a June 12 trial victory by 1 1/4 lengths. Earlier in the season, he finished third behind Mucho Man Lady and Be Myy Valentine in the Old South Futurity.

The Big Easy Futurity field also includes Be Myy Valentine, Cant Uncle, Sleepy Chilitos, Fallin Angels, Ab Ms Robyn, Hezaspecial Lorenzo, and Gold Eye Eagle. Fallin Angels enters off an August 7 trial victory in 17.699, while Gold Eye Eagle won his trial in 17.781 and Sleepy Chilitos captured another division in 17.857.

Two additional stakes highlight tonight's Delta Downs program. The $25,000 Faubourg St John Stakes, Race 5 at 870 yards, is for Quarter Horses 3-year-olds and older and has an approximate post time of 7:55 p.m. The $25,000 Desaix Stakes, Race 7 at 350 yards, is restricted to 2-year-olds that competed in the Big Easy Futurity trials but did not qualify for tonight's final. Its approximate post time is 8:45 p.m.

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