Page 142 - June 2016
P. 142
LQHBA Louisiana Bred Lassie Futurity-RG2
LOUISIANA JEWELS
by Michael Cusortelli
A$42,000 buy at last year’s Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders’ Association Sale, Louisiana Jewels, paid quick dividends in just her second out, as the two year old won the $298,012 Louisiana Breeders’ Lassie Futurity-RG2 for state- bred juvenile fillies at Delta Downs on May 20.
Louisiana Jewels covered her 330-yard trip in :16.773 while earning a 90 speed index and maintaining her perfect record under jockey Gilbert Ortiz. Michael Taylor prepped the filly for owner Eric Johnson’s Harlow Stables LLC of Spring, Texas.
Louisiana Jewels made her debut with a 1/2-length victory in the fourth of 14 Lassie Futurity trials on April 29.
“We thought she had as good a shot to win as any of the finalists,” said Johnson. “There was only 9/100ths of a second separating the fastest qualifier from the 10th-fastest qualifier, so it was an evenly matched field with no standouts.
“We’ve been impressed with this filly since the day we started breaking her,” he added.
Louisiana Jewels was bred by Jerry West of Ville Platte, Louisiana. Louisiana Jewels is one of 6 winners from 9 starters out of Jewels Fortune.
Jewels Fortune earned $218,276 from 19 outs with five stakes wins.
“Looking at her catalog
page, I thought this filly
would sell for more than
what I was planning to pay,”
Johnson said. “But she went
into the sale ring right after
she’d sustained a nasty-
looking cut on one of her
hind legs, and I think that
might have discouraged some
of the larger buyers at the sale
that typically would have outgunned me for a yearling this well-bred.
“But, my trainer checked her out and Dr. Tommy Hays looked at her x-rays and said that he didn’t think the cut would pose any prob- lems at all,” he added. “The last few years I’ve bought three or four head at that sale and was one of the top two or three buyers every year, but I hadn’t had that much luck. Last year, I decided to be more conservative and planned to buy one at the most, and that’s what I did. I
took a shot with this filly and she’s the best one I’ve had for some time.”
Louisiana Jewels earned $149,006 with the LQHBA Lassie Futurity win to push her bankroll to $158,006.
Fast Dashin Dee (Heza Fast Dash-Jump Down First) was 2nd for Ten For Ten LLC. Joe Badilla Jr. rode for trainer Michael Taylor. Juan J. Bazaldua’s Jess A Little Star (Jess An Idea-Little Eye
Opener) was 3rd under Damian Martinez for trainer Adrian Huitron. Followed by Coronas Prize Dolly (Coronas Leaving You-Fast Prize Dolly), Dashin Swinger (Swingin Jess-Dashin In My Dreams), San Lorenzo Lady (Coronas Leaving You-First Down Hemp), Tdz Wave To Me Baby (Oak Tree Special-Wave Azigobye), Corazon Dfuego (Sir Runaway Dash-Special Rockette), Rdd Champagne Dash (Heza Fast Dash-Champagne Fame), & Im La Leaving (Coronas Leaving You-Say La V).
Delta Downs $298,012 330 yards :16.773 si 90
Mr Jess Perry
Jess Louisiana Blue
The Louisiana Girl
LOUISIANA JEWELS, ‘14-f.
First Down Jewel
Jewels Fortune
Lias Fortune
140 SPEEDHORSE, June 2016
Louisiana Jewels & Gilbert Ortiz rally and win the $298,012 Louisiana Bred Lassie Futurity-RG2 by 3/4-lengths
RACING NEWS
Nicole Cormier/Coady Photography
