Fair Grounds: Sale Futurity highlights closing-day card for Quarter Horses

Fair Grounds in New Orleans will close out its sixth season of Quarter Horse racing Thursday with the $286,560 Louisiana Quarter Horse Breeders’ Association Sale Futurity. The 350-yard dash is the richest race of a meet that was extended two dates after a threatening weather pattern led the track to cancel its opening weekend. Trials for the Sale Futurity were to have been run during the season’s first week, but were rescheduled for Aug. 23.

Philips Streakin emerged as fastest and arguably the most impressive qualifier for Thursday’s race, which is restricted to Louisiana-breds. He dominated his trial by 1 1/2 lengths, while covering 350 yards in 17.64 seconds. Philips Streakin was the favorite in the start, which came one race after he was edged by a half-length in the $50,000 Louisiana Juvenile Stakes at Delta Downs on July 13.

Philips Streakin, who has never run worse than second in five career starts, will break from post 2. Martin Rubalcava has the mount for Jaime Torres and trainer Fructuoso Huitron. Philips Streakin is a January foal by Heza Fast Dash.

Other leading contenders include Scooter Prize, the second fastest qualifier after winning her trial by a half-length, in 17.67 seconds. Earlier this year, she was third by three-quarters of a length in the Grade 2 Louisiana Lassie Futurity at Delta Downs. Scooter Prize will break from post 7.

Heza Fast Rogue was fourth in a restricted Grade 1 race at Delta in July. He rallied to win his trial by three-quarters of a length, at odds of 1-5. Heza Fast Rogue will break from post 10.